The coat of arms of the Portuguese Autonomous Region of Madeira consists of a shield azure a pale or charged with a Cross of Christ, with external elements.

The gold armillary sphere represents the Age of Discovery, initiated by the Portuguese, and King Manuel I of Portugal who ordered the settling of 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".

An armillary sphere, as crest, was chosen, due to its connection to the Discoveries and King Manuel I and given the fact that it is an architectural and sculptural element found in many public buildings in Funchal.

The two monk seal supports, symbolize the Region's homage to the only large mammals found when the first settlers arrived.