^{This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website}

Portugal (colonies/overseas provinces)

History

These coat of arms were introduced in 1935, two colonies were, however, using provisional arms before that. All colonies were transformed into overseas territories. This did not have any influence on arms.

All arms were of the same model: divided vertically in such a way that two sub-shield are formed. The dexter was white with five small blue shields each bearing five white discs (i.e. the "quinas cross" representing the motherland). The sinister represented the colony. In the base green and white waves to indicate the overseas location. To complete the badge the arms were set upon an golden armillary sphere with a golden mural crown.

The colonial sub-shields:

Angola: Purple with a golden elephant above a golden zebra.

Cape Verde: Green with a sailing ship in natural colors on green-white waves.

Guinea: Black with a golden scepter which ends in a negro's head (used by king Afonso V.)

India: Yellow with a black mill wheel above a red tower.

India (provisional): Figure of a Portuguese discoverer holding a blue shield with five white disks (colors ?).

Macau: Blue with a golden dragon holding a blue shield with five white disks.

Mozambique: White with a green bundle of arrows tied together with a red ribbon (standing for St Sebastian, the first colony was founded on the island Sao Sebastiao).

Mozambique (provisional): An armillary sphere standing on a base (colors ?).

S. Tome e Principe: Red with a golden wheel and axis of a water mill and drops of water.

Timor: Gyronny of 8, black and white. In the center a cross, colors inverted, which ends in fleurs-de-lys. On the cross a blue shield with white disks.

Harald Müller 05-AUG-1996