Submitting fifteen designs to the management, four of them were shortlisted and presented to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad for approval.

The red symbolises the city's courage and strength, the blue for the unity of its multiracial citizens, the yellow for sovereignty, and the white for cleanliness and beauty.

The city's emblem consists of three hexagons curled spirally,[9][10] clockwise from top to bottom: Other features of the coat of arms include: The city's emblem originally had the name "Kuala Lumpur" at the top and the motto "Maju dan Makmur" (Progress and Prosper) at the bottom.

The coat of arms of the former municipal council consisted of the tiger's head erased, fimbriations of red and white, a helm and shield and a scroll inscribed with Jawi motto.

A lesser version of the arms without the tiger's head, red and white fimbriations and helm was also used by the municipal council.