The flag of Belgium is a triband flag with stripes of black, yellow, and red. The colors of the flag were adopted from the coat of arms of the Duchy of Brabant. The flag has a proportion of 13:15 which is highly uncommon. During the beginning of the Belgian revolution, insurgents replaced the flag of France with a red-yellow-black flag used during the Brabant Revolution of 789-1790. On 23rd of January 1831, the stripes were changed from horizontal to vertical and on 12th October of the same year, the flag adopted its current form. The official protocol states that the flag should measure 8.5 ft by 9.8 ft.
What Do the Flag's Colors and Symbols Mean?
The flag has three stripes of black, yellow and red. Before it assumed its current state, the triband colors were horizontal. Article 193 of the constitution of Belgium recognize the colors of the flag as red, yellow and black. The triband was adopted from the French flag while the colors were adopted from the Brabant Revolution. The Brabant rebels used these colors during the resistance geared against Austria in the late 18th century. The colors signify the struggle for independence and freedom.
Who Designed the Flag?
The design of the flag cannot be attributed to a single person, as it was designed based on the colors worn by the Brabant rebels during the Brabant Revolution. Starting from the 16th century, Belgium has always associated itself with the colors red, white and yellow. During the Austrian rule, several flags were hoisted in Belgium without success, forcing the emperor to impose the Austrian flag on Belgium. The public was outraged and began raising the colors of Brabant.
What Have Historical Versions of the Flag Looked Like?
There have been several previous variants of the flag, but the colors have remained the same over the years. The most recognized previous version the flag consisted of the current triband but with horizontal stripes. Another version consisted of the current flag but with a defaced lion ensigned by a crown on the yellow stripe.
This page was last modified on February 7th, 2018