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Flag of Belgium

Europe
11.8M
1831
Flag of Belgium
BE | 13:15

Official Palette

Symbolism

The colors are derived from the coat of arms of the Duchy of Brabant: a golden lion (yellow) on a black field, with red claws and tongue. Individually, black represents the lions of Flanders and Namur, yellow represent the lion of Brabant, and red represents the lions of Hainaut, Limburg, and Luxembourg.

History

The current vertical tricolor was adopted on January 23, 1831, shortly after Belgium won its independence from the Netherlands. The vertical arrangement was specifically chosen to distinguish the Belgian flag from the horizontal stripes of the Dutch tricolor.

Construction

Official proportions are 13:15, making it the most 'square' national flag that isn't actually a square. The tricolor consists of three equal vertical bands of black, yellow, and red.

Color Meanings

black: Determination, resilience, and the black lion of Brabant
yellow: Wealth, prosperity, and the gold field of the Brabant arms
red: Courage and the blood shed during the struggle for independence

Country Facts

Population
11.8M

1.3% of Europe

Capital
Brussels
Languages
German, French, Dutch
Continent
Europe
Subregion
Benelux
Landlocked
No
Borders
Flag of France FranceFlag of Germany GermanyFlag of Luxembourg LuxembourgFlag of The Netherlands The Netherlands
ISO 3166-1
BE

Flag Identification

Adopted
January 23, 1831
Proportions

13:15 (≈1.154)

1315
De Jure Ratio
13:15 (de jure)
Total Colors
3
Primary Layout
Vertical bands

Influences

French Tricolor
Duchy of Brabant coat of arms

Flags with resemblance

Visually close designs — compare colors and emblems, or try similarities mode.

Related flags

Flag Protocol

  • The flag should be flown with the black band closest to the hoist
  • Official government buildings must fly the 13:15 version
  • During national mourning, the flag is flown at half-mast

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