Coat of Arms: The result of hundreds of years of modifications, Portugal's current coat of arms was officially adopted on June 30, 1911, and is based on the arms used by the kingdom since the Middle Ages.
he shield resting in front is composed of seven golden castles, which represent the Moorish castles conquered during the Reconquista.
Behind the shield is an armillary sphere, which was a navigational instrument, and symbolizes Portugal's importance during the Age of Discovery.
