The Manueline armillary sphere, which had been present on the national flag under the reign of John VI, was revived because it consecrated the "Portuguese epic maritime history ... the ultimate challenge, essential to our collective life.".
A esfera armilar manuelina, que estivo presente na bandeira nacional dende o reinado de Xoán VI, mantívose porque estaba consagrada á Épica historia marítima portuguesa (...) o último reto, esencial para a nosa vida colectiva.