Lisbon Coat of Arms
It all begins with an idea.
“Most Noble and Always Loyal City of Lisbon”
The coat of arms is composed of a golden shield with a ship on a sea of seven waves, at each end of the ship, a raven faces the center of the shield. The ravens are guarding the relics of Saint Vincent of Saragossa, the patron saint of Lisbon whos remains were transported to Lisbon from the Algarve by order of King Afonso Henriques. Legend has it that in the 12th century the ravens protected St Vincent’s dead body from being attacked by wild animals. The remains are now in Lisbon Cathedral and locals say that the ravens still project St Vincent to this very day.
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The ship depicted in the coat of arms, symbolizes Lisbon's maritime heritage and its historical importance as a major port city. The waves in the coat of arms represent the city's relationship with the sea, its maritime trade, and its historical role as a center for exploration during the Age of Discovery. Above the shield is a crown of five towers reflecting the city's fortified history and its status as a key defensive stronghold.
The scroll has the motto "Mui Nobre e Sempre Leal Ceidade de Lisboa" which translates to “Most Noble and Always Loyal City of Lisbon”
