![[Flag of Mercedes, PR (Brazil)]](../images/b/br-pr-222.gif)
Last modified: 2022-03-05 by ian macdonald
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Ivan Sache, 5 February 2022 The municipality of Mercedes (5,536 inhabitants in 2019; 20,086 ha) is
located on the border with Paraguay, here Itaipu International Lake, 620 km west
of Curitiba.
Mercedes was established in 1952 by Empresa Colonizadora Rio
Paraná S. A.-Maripá, a colonizing company headquartered in Porto Alegre (Rio
Grande do Sul). The district of Mercedes was established, within the
municipalities of Toledo and Foz do Iguaçu, by Municipal Law No. 142 promulgated
on 23 March 1958, and transferred to the newly formed municipality of Marechal
Cândido Rondon by State Law No. 4,245 promulgated on 25 July 1960. Renamed to
Nova Mercedes by State Law No. 5,645 promulgated on 3 October 1967, the district
was elevated to the municipality of Mercedes by State Law No. 9,370 promulgated
on 13 September 1990.
The origin of the name of Mercedes is not clearly
established. The early colonists claimed that Pedro Dalprá, representative of
Colonizadora Maripá, planted a wooden stick at the junction of two trails on 11
November 1952, fixed a plaque inscribed "Here is Mercedes", and built a hut.
Other refer to a more romantic explanation alluding to a young Paraguayan girl
called Mercedes, who was the daughter of a lumberjack owner of a store. Mercedes
became soon popular among visitors of the place, who said "We go to Mercedes'".
http://www.mercedes.pr.gov.br/
Municipal website
The flag and arms of Mercedes are prescribed by
Municipal Law No. 28 promulgated on 15 July 1993.
Article 6.
The
municipal flag of Mercedes was designed by Angela K. Vanderlinde, winner of a
public contest organized by the municipal administration. It was adopted to
municipal heraldry by vexillologist Reynaldo Valascki, as follows.
The
municipal flag of Mercedes shall be divided into three equal rectangles: two
white (argent) rectangles in the upper and lower part, and, in the center, a red
(gules) rectangle. In the center of the rectangle in the upper part is displayed
a sun with seven rays. Between the rays, the letters that form the name
"MERCEDES".
§1. In compliance with the tradition of Portuguese heraldry,
whose canons and rules were inherited, municipal flags shall be divided into
eight, six, four or three parts, using the colors of the field of the coat of
arms.
Symbology. The municipal flag of Mercedes has three colors: red
(gules), white (argent) and yellow (or).
a) Red symbolizes, in a stylized
way, the soil of the municipality of Mercedes, the rural properties that are the
base of the municipality's income, with agriculture and breeding as the sources
of municipal income, in a safe development and progress. In heraldry, red
(gules) is a symbol of dedication, patriotic love, audacity, intrepidity,
courage and valiance.
b) Yellow (or) represented by the sun, represents
production proper, that is production of resources for the municipality of
Mercedes. This production is not only material but relies also on cultural,
social and religious values. The seven sun rays (a number representing
perfection) represent through its shining the harmonious development of all the
sectors and potentials of the municipality, as well as the irradiation of
municipal power to all the parts of the territory.
c) White (argent)
symbolizes in heraldry peace, friendship, work, prosperity, purity and religious
spirit. It has also a specific meaning: the municipality of Mercedes, to reach
its development, shall have unarmed minds, conducive to reasoning, since rivalry
can lead only to disintegration of the possibilities of progress and social
welfare. White also reflects the only possibility of survival in the future, an
unpolluted environment rationally used, unarmed mind spiritually in permanent
symphony with the Creator of everything, God.
Article 7. In compliance
with heraldic rules, the municipal flag shall have the official dimensions
prescribed for the national flag, 14 units in width on 20 units in length.
http://www.mercedes.pr.gov.br/arquivos/legislacao_anexos/146598926672584515.pdf
Municipal website
Photos
https://www.facebook.com/municipiodemercedes/photos/6567175249962854
https://www.facebook.com/municipiodemercedes/photos/6567175229962856
Ivan Sache, 5 February 2022
