| Coat of arms of the Autonomous Region of Madeira |
 |
| Details |
| Escutcheon | blue a pale or charged with the Cross of Christ |
| Supporters | Two monk seals |
| Motto | Portuguese: Das Ilhas as Mais Belas e Livres |
The Coat of Arms of the Autonomous Region of Madeira was established by Regional Legislative Decree n.º 11/91/M, on the 24th of April 1991.
[edit] Features
[edit] Interior
The central shield is "blazoned" (described in the technical language of heraldry), blue a pale or charged withe a Cross of Christ.
[edit] Supporters
The monk seals supporting the shield in the coat of arms is a homage of the Autonomous Region of Madeira to the only large mammals found by the first inhabintants of the island, and also alludes to the need of preserving this endangered species.
The gold armillary sphere represents the Age of Discovery, iniciated by the Portuguese, and King Manuel I of Portugal who order to inhabit the archipelago.
The Autonomous Region of Madeira motto, Das Ilhas as Mais Belas e Livres, is Portuguese for "Of all islands, the most beautiful and free".
[edit] References
[edit] See also