The latest design dates from 1996, when the former mayor Gheorghe Funar organised a contest for the new symbol of the city.

The current shield of Cluj-Napoca is party per fess; yellow (instead of or), bearing a white (instead of argent) Dacian Draco.

The shield is topped by a mural crown with seven towers, which shows the city's status as a county seat.

It was the coat of arms of Cluj until communist rulers modified it introducing other elements but preserving the three towers in the bottom field.

As of 2025, the subsequent mayors of Cluj-Napoca failed to reintroduce the traditional coat of arms as demanded by many heraldists, historians and civil activists.