Editing Armillary sphere (section)

== Heraldry and vexillology ==
[[File:Flag of Portugal (official).svg|thumb|right|220px|The [[flag of Portugal]] features a pronounced armillary sphere]]
The armillary sphere is commonly used in [[heraldry]] and [[vexillology]], being mainly known as a symbol associated with [[Portugal]], the [[Portuguese Empire]] and the [[Portuguese discoveries]].

In the end of the 15th century, the armillary sphere became the personal [[heraldic badge]] of the future King [[Manuel I of Portugal]], when he was still a [[Prince of Portugal|Prince]]. The intense use of this badge in documents, monuments, flags and other supports, during the reign of Manuel I, transformed the armillary sphere from a simple personal symbol to a national one that represented the Kingdom of Portugal and in particular its [[Portuguese Empire|Overseas Empire]]. As a national symbol, the armillary sphere continued in use after the death of Manuel I.

In the 17th century, it became associated with the [[Colonial Brazil|Portuguese dominion of Brazil]]. In 1815, when [[Kingdom of Brazil|Brazil gained the status of kingdom]] united with that of Portugal, its coat of arms was formalized as a golden armillary sphere in a blue field. Representing Brazil, the armillary sphere became also present in the arms and the flag of the [[United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves]]. When [[Empire of Brazil|Brazil became independent as an empire]] in 1822, the armillary sphere continued to be present in its national arms and in its national flag. The celestial sphere of the present [[Flag of Brazil]] replaced the armillary sphere in 1889.

The armillary sphere was reintroduced in the [[Coat of arms of Portugal|national arms]] and in the national [[Flag of Portugal]] in 1911.
[[File:6' Armillary Sphere @ San Jacinto Battle Field, Texas.jpg|thumb|200px|6' Armillary Sphere at the San Jacinto Battle Field in La Porte, Texas]]