10 Most Important Portuguese Symbols And Their Meanings

Are you looking for the most popular Portuguese symbols and their meanings?

Bathed by the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal is a country in Southeast Europe the size of the American state of Indiana — about five times smaller than its neighbor Spain.

Portugal is on the westernmost edge of the Iberian Peninsula, with a population of over 10 million. It is  famous for historical cities, seafood dishes, 16th to 19th-century architecture, and awesome beach destinations. Portugal is also the birthplace of fado music, port wine, and many soccer legends.

As the oldest country in Europe, having had the same defined borders since 1139, Portugal has so much history and culture to offer. With that being said, there are plenty of symbols that have represented this beautiful European country for ages.

Here are some of the most important Portuguese symbols you should know.

10 Most Important Portuguese Symbols

1. Galo de Barcelos (Rooster of Barcelos)

Also called the Portuguese Rooster and Cocokerel of Barcelos, the Barcelos Rooster (Portuguese: Galo de Barcelos) is the symbol of the Portuguese love of life.

But what is the Barcelos Rooster? And why is it such a common Portugese symbol?

Legend has it that a man from Galicia, Spain, was once passing the town of Barcelos en route to Santiago de Compostela to fulfill a vow. He was then apprehended by the authorities, accused of being the culprit of a crime committed there.

To make the story short, he was condemned to die. But before he could be executed, he protested his innocence and, pointing to a roast chicken on the table (for the judge was dining with friends at the time), the condemned man exclaimed: “As surely as I am innocent will that rooster crow if I am hanged!”

Just as he was about to be hanged, the impossible happened: the chicken stood up on the dish and crowed. The judge rushed to the gallows and had the innocent man released.

Years later, the man returned to Barcelos and built the monument to São Tiago (Santiago, or Saint James) and to the Blessed Virgin.

The legend was adopted as the emblem of the Tourism of Portugal and the unofficial symbol of the country. It has also come to symbolize faith, good luck, and justice.

You will find this symbol in various forms. The Barcelos Rooster features in virtually every souvenir item you can buy in local shops in Portugal.

2. Efígie da República (Effigy of the Republic)

The Efígie da República is used as a national personification, not only in Portugal but also in Brazil, representing the Republic. She is represented as a young female clad with the phrygian cap.

The Effigy is believed by some to have been modeled after the French personification of Liberty, named Marianne. The Efígie da República is used as a national personification, not only in Portugal but also in Brazil, representing the Republic.

The Efígie da República was used as a political symbol by the Portuguese republicans before it became an official state symbol of Portugal the October 1910 revolution, when the Republic substituted the Monarchy in Portugal.

3. Zé Povinhoe  

Created by Raphael Bordalo Pinheiro in 1875, the cartoon character Zé Povinho has become the symbol of modest Portuguese people.

Literally translated as “Joe Little People,” Zé Povinho is a Portuguese everyman. His name is a common short form of the name “José,” as in “Joe” (diminutive for the English “Joseph”) and “Povinho” which is a diminutive for “Povo” that means “people.”

Zé Povinho is the Portuguese counterpart of Germany’s Deutscher Michel, who is a simple man depicted wearing a nightcap as the German symbol of innocence. Zé Povinho is a crude man wearing peasant clothes, representing the working-class ethics and ingenuity in Portugal.

4. Bacalhau (Codfish)

No other food is better associated with Portugal and Portuguese identity than bacalhau or codfish. This is evident in the presence of this fish in the ingredients of many Portuguese recipes.

Portugal is the largest consumer of codfish in Europe. But believe it or not, this fish doesn’t exist in the Portuguese sea. So how come it’s such a gastronomy icon in the country? And to think codfish has become a symbol of Portugal’s national identity!

The consumption of bacalhau in Portugal became widespread in the 1500s, but this fish arrived in the Iberian Peninsula in the ancient times — through the Vikings, who bartered codfish for salt. Portugal began to culture bacalhau in the 1950s through the following decade. Today, 70% of the country’s codfish consumption is locally produced.

Codfish is a universal symbol of scarcity, abundance, wealth, and prosperity. It also represents reality and legend, food and culture, and also business and ecology.

Codfish has come to symbolize Portugal and its culture, as well as its “loyal friend,” which makes bacalhau such an important Portuguese icon.

5. Azulejo Tile

Azulejo is a type of painted tin-glazed ceramic tile that is used not only in Portugal but also in Spain, Italy, Turkey, and Morocco. However, Portugal has come to be regarded as the Tile Capital of the World, thanks to the over 500 years of using the azulejos on the façades of buildings all over the country.

During the dictatorship in Portugal, the blue tile work became a status symbol. These tiles are now protected by the government. It is illegal to demolish buildings with azulejo façades.

6. The Cross of Christ

Often referred to simply as the Cross of Christ, the Cross of the Order of Christ is one of the principal symbols of the Christian religion. It has also been a national symbol of Portugal since the reign of King Manuel I.

The Cross of Christ is not featured on the Coat of Arms, but it is widely used as a Portuguese national symbol, especially by the Portuguese Air Force and the Portuguese national sports teams, as well as on the sails of Portuguese ships.

The Order of Christ Cross is also found in many flags and emblems of both Portugal and Brazil.  

7. Wyvern

A wyvern, also spelled “wivern,” is a mythical winged-dragon with two legs. It comes in various forms and often features in heraldry.

The wyvern was used as the crest of the Royal Arms of Portugal, which was later modified to a couple of dragons supporting the Arms of Portugal. Today, the wyvern is usually associated as FC Porto Football Club’s mascot.

The wyvern as a Portugese symbol denotes war, envy, and pestilence, as well as strength to those who bear it in medieval heraldry.

8. Flag of Portugal

The first thing you will notice about the national flag of Portugal is its green and red colors.

The red color on this flag is said to symbolize all of the blood lost by people who had fought so Portugal could become a republic. The green, on the other hand, is symbolic of hope for the future.

Bandeira de Portugal (Portuguese flag) features the field colors (red and green) and the national coat of arms of Portugal, which is made up of the armillary sphere and the Portuguese shield.

9. The Armillary Sphere

The armillary sphere, an important astronomical and navigational tool, was used by the Portuguese sailors who ventured into the unknown seas during the Age of Discoveries.

The armillary sphere has been a significant symbol of Portugal since the reign of King Manuel I.

10. The Portuguese Shield

The Portuguese shield is the primary Portuguese symbol. It is one of the oldest emblems of Portugal, with the first elements of the modern-day shield appearing during the reign of King Sancho I. This has evolved since, along with the flag of Portugal.

The Portuguese Shield features a blue background with five white bezants that represent the five wounds of Christ from his crucifixion.