Understand The Flag, Understand Brazil
Wherever you go in Brazil you will see the rather unusual national flag flying. It is unusual because it is devoid of the usual stripes and heraldic devices of most national flags. Instead it has a plain green background, symbolizing the rain forests of Brazil, with a sphere – a sort of blue revolving planet – in the center. Around the sphere is a blue band or ribbon bearing the motto “Order and Progress”. Dotted over the sphere are 27 yellow stars, positioned in the pattern of the night sky over Rio de Janeiro. These represent the states and the federal district.