Coat of arms of Malacca

The Coat of arms of Malacca resembles European heraldic designs, and descended from that of Malaysia and the Federated Malay States under British colonial rule.

The four colours on the arms: red, white, yellow and blue indicate that Malacca is part of Malaysia. The star and crescent, which stand on the crest represents Islam, the official religion of the state. The five kerises represent the five legendary warriors of the ancient Malacca Sultanate, who are Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat, Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir, and Hang Lekiu.

The two mouse-deer supporting the shield serve to recall the incident involving the mouse-deer: legend has it that a mouse-deer had attacked one of the hunting dogs brought by the entourage of Parameswara, the first ruler of the state, and kicked the dog into the river. Parameswara, who had fleeing the kingdom of Singapura at this point, considered the incident to be a good omen and decided to found a kingdom under it. He decides to name the settlement as Malacca, after the Malacca tree which he leaned against while witnessing the event, hence the tree is depicted in the shield.

A scroll at the bottom denotes the state motto: '"Bersatu Teguh" ("firmly united" or "united we stand") on left side with romanised Malay and right side with Jawi script, and the state name written in Romanised Malay – "Melaka" on centre.

The state coat of arms can be blazoned as:

Shield: Argent, a Malacca tree standing on a base proper; on the dexter a side Or and on the sinister a side Gules, upon a chief Azure, five krisses in their sheats per pale Or.

Crest: A crescent and a mullet Or.

Supporters: Two mousedeers rampant proper.

Motto: Bersatu Teguh ("firmly united" or "united we stand") on left side with romanised Malay and right side with Jawi script (برساتو تڬوه‎),
Melaka with romanised Malay on centre.

Historical state arms

City and municipal council emblems

All 4 local governments in Malacca have their own emblem, which evolved in design throughout history. Each design may reflect a municipality's identities and or the roles and responsibilities of its local authority.

Town and Fort Municipality Arms

The coat of arms of the former Municipal Council of the Town and Fort of Malacca had a two masted Chinese Junk with sails furled proper on water barry wavy charged on a pile embattled and billety and two Malacca trees and an anchor in the chief of the arms. In the crest there is a helm mantled and on top of it there is a mousedeer saltant in front of the Malacca Tree standing on a base on a wreath of colours. The motto of the arms was "Salus Populi Suprema Lex" which means the welfare of the people should be the supreme law in Latin.