Brazilian Army: Historic Standards

Exército do Brasil: Estandartes Históricos

Last modified: 2003-11-22 by joe mcmillan
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"Historic Standards" of Brazilian Army Units

Estandartes Históricos

Brazilian military units carry the national flag as their principal color, but most are also authorized a "historic standard" (estandarte histórico). These standards measure 80 x 120 cm, are trimmed with gold fringe, and carry unit devices, mottoes, battle honors, and the "historic denomination" of the unit, usually the name of a past commander, a famous battle, a former designation, etc. Virtually every Brazilian unit has such a historic designation, although there are a handful of exceptions. Both the national flag and the standard are carried on staffs with spearhead finials.

The mother lode of information on these unit standards is the site of the Center for Documentation of the Army (CDocEx). The CDocEx site includes copies of the grants of estandartes históricos to many units, images of a number of these standards, and the "General Instructions for the Granting of Historic Denominations, Historic Standards, and Historic Distinctive Insignia to Military Organizations of the Army" (IG 11-01, approved by Commander of the Army Order (Portaria) No. 580, 25 October 1999. Contrary to what I had thought before, there are now standard patterns for these unit colors, but--unlike other countries--Brazil allows units that were granted "historic standards" during earlier periods to keep using the same design originally granted, while new grants are made in accordance with IG 11-01. Here are the flag-related provisions of IG 11-01, translated as best I can.

Chapter III - Of the Historic Standard

Art 4 - The historic standard is intended to recognize:

I - the military organizations honored with historic denominations; and
II - the educational establishments of the Army, large school units, and school units.

Art 5 - The historic standard is made in accordance with heraldic norms and complies with the following characteristics:

I - rectangular form of the universal type of flag, that is, with the longer side one and a half times the shorter side, with gold fringe on the upper, left, and lower edges.
II - the field is of the heraldic colors of the Brazilian Army, the arm, service, or unit.
III - the coat of arms of the military organization or its historic distinctive insignia is represented.
IV - the staff is covered with sky-blue cloth with a spiral of red cloth, with nickel-plated lance-head and ferrule.
V - the <