Belgium’s national flag is a vertical tricolour of black, yellow and red. Its colors come from the historic arms of the Duchy of Brabant and became national symbols during the Belgian Revolution of 1830.
What does the Belgian flag look like?
The flag has three vertical bands: black at the hoist, yellow in the centre and red at the fly. Belgium’s official government portal describes these as the colors of the old Brabant coat of arms.
Where do the colors come from?
The arms of Brabant showed a golden lion on a black field, with red claws and tongue. Black, yellow and red therefore had strong heraldic associations in the region before Belgium became independent.
History of the Belgian flag
During the 1830 revolution against Dutch rule, black-yellow-red became the colors of the independence movement. Early revolutionary flags were sometimes horizontal. The now-familiar vertical arrangement was established soon after independence and became the national standard.
Belgium flag facts
- Colors: black, yellow and red
- Design: vertical tricolour
- Heraldic source: Duchy of Brabant
- Associated with independence: 1830
Source
Primary reference: Belgium.be — Belgian flags.
