Belgian heraldry is the form of coats of arms and other heraldic bearings and insignia used in the Kingdom of Belgium and the Belgian colonial empire but also in the historical territories that make up modern-day Belgium.
Belgian Heraldry | |
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Versions | |
![]() Coat of Arms of Belgium | |
![]() Arms of Brabant | |
Motto | L'Union Fait La Force |
Other elements | Black Yellow Red |
Today, coats of arms in Belgium are regulated and granted by different bodies depending on the nature, status, and location of the armiger.
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The Leo Belgicus, Belgian lion of Brabantion lion is used on the official Coat of arms of Belgium. It's derived from the flag Brabant and the county of Brabant which contains a yellow lion with a red tongue and red gules on a black background. This symbolism was first used in the Brabantian revolution (1789–1790) And was later reused in the Belgian revolution (1830–1831) And later became the official symbol and animal of Belgium.
In Belgium, barred helms are most commonly used, and are not reserved for the nobility like in some jurisdictions. They most often have gold bars, as well as a gold collar and trim. They are often lined and attached to the escutcheon with a shield strap
![]() King | ![]() Crown prince | ![]() Prince | ![]() Duke | ![]() Marquess | ![]() Count | ![]() Viscount | ![]() Baron | ![]() Knight | ![]() Squire |
The coats of arms of the Belgian royal family is currently regulated by a Royal Decree published on 19 July 2019 and signed on the same day, by King Philippe. This decree also reinstated the Saxonian escutcheon in all the royal versions of the family's coat of arms. [2] [3] The reinstatement of the shield of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha into the royal arms occurred shortly after the visit of King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to the ancestral Friedenstein Castle. [4] The king also added translations of the motto into the three official languages of Belgium, to reflect his wish "to be the King of the whole Kingdom and of all Belgians". [5] The latest royal decree therefore reverses previous changes made to the Royal versions of the coat arms which removed the armorial bearings of Saxony during the First World War.
Like civic arms, arms of non-noble individuals and families (in the form of family associations) are regulated by the competent council of the community in question. [6] These are the Council of Heraldry and Vexillology for the French Community [7] and the Flemish Heraldic Council for the Flemish Community. [6] Today, both councils grant a helm with torse and mantling as well as a motto as additaments of the shield. The additaments reserved for the nobility, such as crowned helmets (i.e. crest coronets) and rank crowns (coronets), supporters, banners and battle cries, mantles and pavilions, are prohibited. [6]
Before that, the Genealogical and Heraldic Office of Belgium recorded the arms of persons and families. [6]
Arms of the Belgian nobility are regulated by the Council of Nobility. [6]
Like England, France and some other countries' heraldry, achievements of arms are usually blazoned in a specialized jargon.
Tinctures | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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English | Or | Argent | Azure | Gules | Vert | Purpure | Sable | Ermine | Vair |
French | Or | Argent | Azur | Gueules | Sinople | Pourpre | Sable | Hermine | Vair |
Dutch | Goud/Or (Geel/Goud) | Zilver/Argent (Grijs/Zilver) | Azuur/Lazuur (Blauw) | Keel (Rood) | Sinopel (Groen) | Purper (Paars) | Sabel (Zwart) | Hermelijn | Vair |
Ordinaries | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
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English | Pale | Fess | Bend | Bend sinister | Cross | Saltire | Chevron | Bordure |
French | Pal | Fasce | Bande | Barre | Croix | Sautoir | Chevron | Bordure |
Dutch | Paal | Dwarsbalk | Schuinbalk | Linker schuinbalk or baar | Kruis | Schuinkruis or andrieskruis | Keper | Schildzoom |
Division | | | ![]() | | | |
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English | Party per fess | Party per pale | Party per bend | Party per bend sinister | Quarterly | Party per saltire |
French | Coupé | Parti | Tranché | Taillé | Écartelé | En sautoir |
Dutch | Doorsneden | Gedeeld | Geschuind | Linksgeschuind | Gevierendeeld (in vier kwartieren) | Schuin gevierendeeld |
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