Flag of Beja

The flag of Beja is a field cut into eight gironnies that alternate red and black, with the coat of arms of the city in the centre.

How it came about

Beja is a city in southern Portugal. Its flag was published on 4 April 1938.

The coat of arms is gold, with the head of a bull, two black eagles, a red castle and three small shields, topped by the crown of five towers that marks city status.

How it has changed

It has never changed. It was published in 1938 and there are no documented later modifications.

What it means

• Eight gironnies

  four red and four black. A giron is a triangular wedge that comes out of the centre.

• Coat of arms

  gold, in the centre, with the head of a bull, two black eagles, a red castle and three small shields.

• Crown

  of five towers, topping the coat of arms.

• No stripes

  the colours only change inside the gironnies.

Fun facts

1. A bull, two eagles and a castle

   The coat of arms of Beja brings three figures together: a bull, two eagles and a castle. With the three small shields besides, that is at least six elements in a single shield. It is an accumulative coat of arms, of the kind that lists honours received rather than a single emblem.

2. The crown of five towers

   The crown of five towers over the coat of arms is the mark of Portuguese cities, as against the royal crown of municipalities or that of towns. It is not decorative: it is the title the shield carries.

3. Red and black, alternating in gironnies

   The field uses no stripes: the colours change in eight wedges coming out of the centre. It is the same device as gyronny, but here with only two colours and eight parts, which makes the golden coat of arms in the centre stand out by contrast.

Location