What phrase appears on Brazil’s national flag?

“Ordem e Progresso” appears on Brazil’s national flag.

The Portuguese phrase translates as “Order and Progress.” It is adapted from the positivist motto associated with French philosopher Auguste Comte: “Love as a principle and order as the basis; progress as the goal.” Brazil’s flag places the words on a white band crossing a blue celestial globe.

The current flag was adopted on 19 November 1889, shortly after Brazil became a republic. Its green field and yellow diamond were retained from earlier imperial symbolism, while the imperial arms were replaced by the starry globe and motto.

The stars represent Brazil’s states and the Federal District as arranged from the sky over Rio de Janeiro on 15 November 1889, the date of the republic’s proclamation. The phrase is Portuguese, reflecting Brazil’s national language.