Order of Christ Cross
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The Cross of the Order of Christ (Template:Langx), also known as the Cross of Christ (Script error: No such module "Lang".) or the Portuguese Cross (Script error: No such module "Lang".), is a cross symbol of Portugal, originating in the Portuguese Order of Christ, founded in 1319. During the time of Prince Henry the Navigator, the cross came to be associated with the Portuguese discoveries and the Portuguese Empire. The cross can be considered a variant of the cross pattée or the cross potent.
History
As the Order of Christ, led by Prince Henry, the Navigator, was a leading developer of the Portuguese Discoveries, the Cross of Christ was used on the sails of the Portuguese caravels, carracks and other ships involved in the exploration of the seas. Because of this, the emblem was forever associated with the Portuguese discoveries, making it one of the main symbols of the discoveries and of the Portuguese Empire.
After, Manuel, duke of Beja and governor of the Order of Christ, having become King of Portugal, the Cross of Christ came to be regarded and used as a national emblem of Portugal. It has since become a generic Portuguese and, later, Brazilian emblem. After Pedro declared the independence of Brazil, and became Emperor of Brazil, the Cross of Christ was also present in the coat of arms and flag of the former Empire of Brazil.
Since 1789, the Cross of Christ is depicted on the Sash of the Three Orders.
It was also the symbol of the Movimento Nacional-Sindicalista, a Portuguese political movement of the early 1930s.
Usage
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Today, the Cross of Christ is present in many flags and emblems of Portugal and Brazil. Examples are the flags of the city of São Paulo and the Portuguese Autonomous Region of Madeira, the coat of arms of several Portuguese and Brazilian cities and municipalities, the badges of the Portuguese and Brazil national football teams and the roundels of the Portuguese Air Force aircraft.
Gallery
Historical examples
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Contemporary examples
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Roundel of the Portuguese Air ForceScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of the Sintra Air BaseScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Flag of São Paulo, BrazilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Flag of the Region of Madeira, Portugal Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Flag of the Region of Madeira, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Flag of the Chief-of-Staff of the Portuguese NavyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Flag of Cananéia, BrazilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Flag of Capim, BrazilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of the 4th Aviation Battalion of the Brazilian ArmyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of the Public Security Police of Madeira, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of the Lisbon Geographic SocietyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Porto Alegre, BrazilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Alterosa, BrazilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Batatais, BrazilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Florianópolis, BrazilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Joinville, BrazilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of the Azores, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Ferreira do Zêzere, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Coat of arms of Idanha-a-Nova, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Guetim, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Mogadouro, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Oliveira de Azeméis, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Paio Mendes, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Paradela, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Penafiel, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Pombal, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Tomar, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Vila de Rei, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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Coat of arms of Vila do Bispo, Portugal Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Coat of arms of Vila do Bispo, PortugalScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
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See also
References
- Christ Knights' Order (Portugal) Flags of the World