Last modified: 2002-01-26 by antonio martins
Keywords: christ knights’ order | ordem dos cavaleiros de cristo | templar | cross: patté (red) | cross: christ knights |
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The cross of the Order of the Knights of Christ (Ordem dos Cavaleiros
de Cristo, yet another medieaval warrior-monk order) is always red with
white core. It was used in the Discovery sail ships, both as flag and painted
on the sails, and has been used as an ubiquous symbol of Portugal ever since.
(In fact, it would have give a great national emblem,
even in a flag, — simple, striking, distinct — but somehow it never resulted
that way...)
António Martins, 14 Jan 1997
Real flags of the order had this cross over a number of backgrounds, being
most frequent white, green, and white/green
gyronny — the later said to be the most “correct”.
António Martins, 19 Feb 1998
This symbol, cross potent-formy gules voided argent has currently official
usage in the flag and arms of the Madeira Autonomous Region,
in the roundel of the Portuguese Air Force, and in
some municipal and sub-municipal arms and flags.
António Martins, 07 Oct 2001
The square green flag with Christ Knight’s Order cross, said to
have been used by the re-independentist in the revolution of
1640.
In that date Portugal become regained independence after 60 years of
spanish domination, and the flag, originally a naval pendon, reminded
of a glorious age that had then already passed by.
António Martins, 01 Dec 1999
The Portugese Order of Knights of Christ, as I understand, originates
from the Portugese priory of the Templars,
which simply changed its name when the order was suppressed by Pope Clement,
and everyone pretended not to notice that his “new” order just happened to
have all the same members.
Will Linden, 11 May 1997
This Order had a major role in the early seafaring expeditions, its red
on white pointy patent hollow cross being ultimately the symbol of
the portuguese expansion — a symbol that outlived the Order itself and it’s
very original meaning.
António Martins, 19 Feb 1998
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