Itaguaí

About the place: Itaguaí is a municipality in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It forms part of the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area and serves as an important industrial and port hub.

Flag Description: The flag consists of three vertical stripes: green on the hoist side (left from the observer's view), blue in the center, and yellow on the fly side (right from the observer's view). In the middle of the blue stripe, there is a white lozenge touching the top and bottom edges of the flag. Inside the white lozenge is the municipal coat of arms of Itaguaí, which features a shield surmounted by a mural crown, flanked by plant stalks, with ribbons displaying the years 1729 and 1818, and a lower scroll with the inscription ITAGUAÍ. The shield is divided horizontally into three fields: a top red field with the Jesuit monogram IHS, a middle blue field with the white letters P.I. flanked by yellow stars, and a bottom field with green hills against a yellow background.

Symbolism: The green, yellow, and blue colors refer to the national colors of Brazil as well as the natural wealth of the region. The white lozenge symbolizes peace. The central coat of arms reflects the municipality's history: the IHS monogram recalls its Jesuit roots, the letters P.I. stand for the municipality's name, the stars represent its districts, and the green hills represent the local landscape of the Serra do Mar range. The dates 1729 and 1818 mark the creation of the parish and its elevation to town status.