Flag of Belgium
Description
- Three vertical stripes of black, yellow, and red, adopted following Belgian independence from the Netherlands
- The colors derive from the arms of the Duchy of Brabant
Trivia
- The colours represent the Flemish lion (black), the Walloon cock (red), and the Brunswick heraldry (gold)
- The flag ratio changed from 13:15 to 2:3 in 1971 for simplification
- Belgium's flag influenced many other European flags after the 1830 independence
Flag of Belgium
Belgium's tricolour of black, yellow, and red, arranged vertically, was officially adopted on 23 January 1831, following the nation's independence from the Netherlands. The colours derive from the heraldry of the Duchy of Brabant — a gold lion with red claws and tongue on a black background — and represent multiple historic regions.
The vertical arrangement was a deliberate break from earlier symbolism and an alignment with contemporary European flags influenced by France. These heraldic roots run deep, with evidence of the gold and black lion appearing in Flanders as early as 1162. The flag's unusual proportions of 13:15 distinguish it from other national flags.
json:data
{
"g": "europe",
"ns": "belgium",
"name": "Belgium",
"id": "belgium",
"index": "c/belgium",
"title": "Flag of Belgium",
"ratio": "13:15",
"use": {
"as": "national flag",
"since": "1831-01-23"
},
"colors": [
{
"color": "black",
"hex": "#000000",
"cmyk": "0/0/0/100",
"note": "Represents strength and determination",
"pantone": "Black"
},
{
"color": "yellow",
"hex": "#FDDA24",
"cmyk": "0/8/79/0",
"note": "Symbolizes prosperity and historical heritage",
"pantone": "116 C"
},
{
"color": "red",
"hex": "#EF3340",
"cmyk": "0/94/87/0",
"note": "Reflects bravery in the fight for independence",
"pantone": "186 C"
}
],
"desc": "- Three vertical stripes of black, yellow, and red, adopted following Belgian independence from the Netherlands\n - The colors derive from the arms of the Duchy of Brabant",
"article": "belgium/flag.md",
"of": {
"country": "belgium"
},
"countryData": {
"name": "Belgium",
"officialName": "Kingdom of Belgium",
"un": "member"
},
"cs": "belgium/flag.cs.svg",
"trivia": "- The colours represent the Flemish lion (black), the Walloon cock (red), and the Brunswick heraldry (gold)\n - The flag ratio changed from 13:15 to 2:3 in 1971 for simplification\n - Belgium's flag influenced many other European flags after the 1830 independence",
"flag": "belgium/flag.svg",
"_name": "Belgium",
"_namespace": "belgium",
"_namePart": ""
}