It consists of the central emblem surrounded by coffee (Coffea arabica, at the left) and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum, at the right) branches, which were important crops in Brazil at that time.

Prior to 1964, this line contained the previous official name, Estados Unidos do Brasil — United States of Brazil.

On 18 September 1822, eleven days after proclaiming Brazil's independence Royal Prince Dom Pedro signed a decree instituting these arms stating "... henceforth the arms of this Empire of Brazil will be, on a green field, a gold armillary sphere superimposed on a Portuguese cross, the sphere encircled by 19 silver stars on a blue circle; and an imperial crown with diamonds set atop the shield, the sides of which will be embraced by two plants of coffee and tobacco, as emblems of its [the Empire's] riches, in their proper colors and tied at the bottom with the national bow-knot.

It was designed by German-Brazilian engineer Artur Zauer and lithographer Luís Gruder, both working under the Laemert printing house, which presented the symbol to Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca — the first President of Brazil — who immediately approved it and made it official as the national coat of arms.

And then had two smaller changes on 1971[6] and 1992,[7] both adding more stars to represent newly created Brazilian states.