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Belgium Flag

Flag History

The flag, inspired by the French Tricolore, displays the colors of the arms of the duchy of Brabant, which date back to the 12th century. The war of independence started in Brabant and found its greatest support there, so its arms became the arms of Belgium.

Flag Date of Adoption

23 January 1831

Flag Symbolism

The flag has three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field)

Belgium National Anthem

Listen to National Anthem
Anthem Lyrics Noble Belgique, * jamais terre ch*rie

A toi nos coeurs, * toi nos bras.

Par le sang pur r*pandu pour toi, Patrie,

nous le jurons d'un seul cri: tu vivras!

Tu vivras toujours grande et belle,

Et ton invincible unit* aura pour devise immortelle,

Le Roi, La Loi, La Libert*

aura pour devise immortelle,

Le Roi, la Loi, la Libert* (ter)

And here are the words (in Dutch):

Het Belgisch Volkslied (Brabanconne)

O dierbaar Belg*e, o heilig land der Vad(e)ren,

Onze ziel en ons hart zijn U gewijd,

Aanvaard ons kracht en het bloed van ons ad(e)ren,

Wees ons doel in arbeid en in strijd,

Bloei, o land, in eendracht niet te breken,

Wees immer U zelf, en ongeknecht,

Het woord getrouw dat ge onbevreesd moogt spreken.

Voor Vorst, voor vrijheid en voor recht.

Het woord getrouw dat ge onbevreesd moogt spreken.

Voor Vorst, voor vrijheid en voor recht, voor

Vorst, voor vrijheid en voor recht, voor Vorst,

voor vrijheid en voor recht.
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