
Last modified: 2011-06-11 by ian macdonald
Keywords: star (blue) | minister | cruzeiro | star (white) | star: 21 | coat of arms | 
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![[Minister of the Navy (Brazil)]](../images/b/br~minma.gif) image by
Željko Heimer, 23 March 2001
 image by
Željko Heimer, 23 March 2001 
The cruzeiro defaced with the star from the national coat of arms is shown in 
the Brazilian Navy ceremonial regulation (dating at least 1998) as the flag of
the Minister of Navy, but it may be that the title was changed in 
last years.  The "star from the national coat of arms" consists of the 
blue disk with stars surrounded with the pentagram, but without the wreath, rays, sword, 
ribbon and other 
ornamentation in the coat of arms.  In a way one may 
consider this star to be 
the heraldical shield of the coat of arms, rather unusually shaped as a star.
Regarding the changes of this flag in time, I would guess that even 
if the cruzeiro basis was retained, the "national star" was changed 
in the number of the stars set in the outer blue disk of the coat of arms was 
changed.  These changes were maybe carried out "silently" without 
special regulations issued by the authority prescribing the flag. In practice, 
I guess the old flags were 
(and maybe still are) used until they naturally wear out.
Željko Heimer, 23 March 2001
Under Provisional Measure 1799-6 of 10 June 1999, the 
Ministry of State for the Navy was abolished and replaced by the Ministry of 
State for Defense 
and a new Commander of the Navy.
Joseph McMillan, 23 March 2001
 image
by Željko Heimer, 23 March 2001
image
by Željko Heimer, 23 March 2001
The same basic design (differing only in the abovementioned detail of the "national 
star") is shown in the 1917 National Geographic flag issue, but 
additionally has two crossed anchors in lower hoist. So, I guess that some time in 
the 20th century the change was made (probably a radical one, if there was only one, 
as other differences are observed from this 1917 set).
Željko Heimer, 23 March 2001
The flag of the Minister of Marine with 
the star of the republican coat of arms in the upper hoist dates from the 
1890s.
Joseph McMillan, 28 October 2002