#flatstanley #flathal #recife #brazil
Churches can be a wonderful place to see the art and craftsmanship of a region. (Synagogues and Mosques as well.) Flat Hal and Flat Stanley saw a lot of beautiful work in Olinda and Recife.
The flat fellas learned how Brazil got its name!
Not wanting to get this wrong, Flat Hal and Flat Stanley turned to Google’s Gemini AI for some help in how to share the information. Here goes:
The name “Brazil” originates from the Portuguese word “brasil,” which refers to brazilwood. Here’s a breakdown:
Brazilwood (pau-brasil):
This tree, native to the region, was highly valued for its vibrant red dye.
The Portuguese used it extensively for dyeing textiles in Europe.
The Portuguese word “brasa” means “ember,” and the name refers to the wood’s reddish color.
Terra do Brasil:
Initially, the Portuguese named the land “Terra da Santa Cruz” (Land of the Holy Cross).
However, due to the significant economic importance of brazilwood, the land became more commonly known as “Terra do Brasil” (Land of Brazil).
Eventually, “Brazil” became the accepted name.
