National Flag of the Kingdom of Belgium (1831)
Koninkrijk België (Flemish)
Royaume de Belgique (Walloon)

For nearly 470 years, the land now known as Belgium was controlled by various European powers, including the Austrians, French and Dutch.  

During an uprising against the Austrians in 1789, the black-yellow-red colours were employed as a flag to represent the people of Belgium. The flag was inspired by the French tricolour and displayed the colours of the arms of Brabant, a local duchy.  

The uprising was unsuccessful, but in 1830 the Belgians rose again, this time to defeat Dutch rule and gain independence.  

The black-yellow-red flag was carried against the Dutch and in January 1831, the flag that had been close to the hearts of the people for so long was officially adopted as the national flag on the 23rd of January 1831.

The Symbolic Meaning

Black, yellow and red are based on the colours of the 12th century arms of Brabant; the arms consist of a rampant golden lion on a black field, the lion displaying a red tongue and red claws. 

Having been utilised for so many centuries and used during the successful fight for independence in 1830, the colours are historically significant to the people of Belgium. 

In modern times (1970s), the colours have come to represent the provinces of Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels in a united Belgium. 

Red and yellow symbolise the French speaking Walloons of Belgium and black and yellow symbolise the Flemish speaking Flemings of Belgium.