The Coat of Arms of Angola reflects the recent past of the new nation. There is heavy Marxist imagery found on the coat of arms, that are expanded from what is found on the national flag.

In the center is a machete and hoe, representing the revolution through which the nation gained independence, and the importance of agricultural workers. Above both emblems is a star that is often found in many socialist images. The star is taken to represent progress. The rising sun is the traditional symbol of a new beginning. These emblems are all enclosed within a circle formed by a half cog-wheel that represents the industrial workers, and half vine of coffee leaves that represents the coffee industry.

At the bottom is an open book that is to represent education. A banner reads "Republic of Angola" at the bottom, albeit in Portuguese.