Águas Santas Commune (Portugal)

Freguesia de Águas Santas, Concelho de Maia, Distrito do Porto

Last modified: 2015-10-28 by klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: aguas santas(maia) | saltire | cross(maltese) | corn(cob) | eagle(yellow) | fountain | base(wavy) |
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• About the flag
• Presentation of Águas Santas

• Maia Municipality
• Portugal

About the Flag

It is a typical Portuguese communal flag, with the coat of arms centred on a field quartered of blue and white.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Shield divided by a saltire Or, 1st quarter Sable two corn cobs and a wheat ear all in Or leaved Vert, 2nd quarter Gules a Maltese cross Argent, 3rd quarter Gules an eagle Or, 4th quarter Sable with base wavy of Argent and Azure crowned by a fountain Argent. Mural crown Argent with four visible towers (town rank) and white scroll with inscription in black initials "VILA DE ÁGUAS SANTAS".
Meaning:
Corn and wheat are symbolizing agricultural abundance, especially the wheat is a symbol of fertility. The Maltese is symbolizing the fight against the Moors and the proselytization in the region. It is also alluding to the Monastery of St. Mary of the Holy Waters, a blueprint of the region remarkable for its construction and its ornaments. The eagle is reminding on the heroic deeds done by warrior Gonçalo Mendes, also symbolizing courageousness. The fountain is alluding to the local Holy Waters and is thus a canting element. The base wavy is representing River Leça, which supplied the local fields with water and moved many mills in the past. The saltire is symbolizing the new communication lines crossing the commune. Every occurring colour in the shield stands for its usual meanings in heraldry.
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Flag and arms published in the official journal Diário da República: III Série on 18 June 1991
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

Presentation of Águas Santas

Águas Santas Commune is one of the ten communes of the Maia municipality (q.v.); it had 27 470 inhabitants in 2011 and covers 7.9 km².
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2015

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