Last modified: 2015-05-18 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: nossa senhora das misericordias | braganca arms | castle(blue) | crescent(recumbent) | star(6-point) |
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It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a plain blue field.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 13 May 2015
Shield Or, a castle Azure masoned Sable with port and windows Or, in chief the 1st arms of the Bragança kin, between a crescent recumbent Sable at dexter and a 6-point star Sable at sinister. Mural crown Argent with three visible towers (village rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials: "NOSSA SENHORA DAS MISERICÓRDIAS".
Meaning:
According to source the arms of the commune are including the arms of the venerable town of Ourem without eagle. Curiously a 6-point star of David had been chosen as representation of the local pillory, nevertheless it should be a pentagram, which usually is alluding to the Moors, normally symbolizing the conquest of a location by the Moors. The hexagram could be as well an allusion to the historical Jewish quarter in the old fortress. Source does not mention that 6-point stars and crescents recumbent often are depicted as attributes of St. Mary, who is the local patron saint and name giver as Our Lady of Compassion.
Source: this webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 13 May 2015
Flag and arms published in the official journal Diário da República: III Série on 30 December 1997
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 13 May 2015
Nossa Senhora das Misericórdias Commune is one of the 13 communes of the Ourém municipality (q.v.) and one of the two urban communes of Ourém city; it had 5077 inhabitants in 2011 and covers 42.4 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 13 May 2015
back to Ourém Communes click here