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Flag of the brazilian ships, 16th century (Portugal)

Bandeira das naus do Brasil

Last modified: 2005-08-26 by antonio martins
Keywords: portugal: historical | brazil | merchant flags | armilliary sphere |
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[flag of the brazilian ships]
image by António Martins
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Usage and description

This flag was used during the 16th century in the ships that navigated the route between Portugal (manly Lisbon and Lagos) and the shores of Brazil. Its quarterly diagonal red over white charged with an armillary sphere gold. The portuguese name was "Bandeira das Naus do Brasil", being "nau" a kind of ship (larger than the well known "caravela") wich later evolved into what was called gallion in english.
António Martins, 26 May 1997