Flag of Belgium facts for kids
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| Use | National flag |
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| Proportion | 13:15 |
| Adopted | January 23, 1831 |
| Design | A vertical tricolour of black, yellow, and red. Technically the national flag, but rarely seen. |
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Variant flag of Belgium
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| Use | National flag and civil ensign  |
| Proportion | 2:3 or similar |
| Design | As above. Much more common than the official version. |
Variant flag of Belgium
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| Use | State ensign |
| Proportion | 2:3 |
The national flag of Belgium is a special symbol for the country. It has three equal stripes that go up and down, called vertical bands. These stripes are black, yellow, and red. These colors were chosen because they were the colors of an old region called the Duchy of Brabant.
Contents
What Does the Belgian Flag Look Like?
The Belgian flag has three bold colors: black, yellow, and red. These colors are arranged in vertical stripes, meaning they go from top to bottom. Each stripe is the same width.
The black stripe is on the left side, closest to the flagpole. The yellow stripe is in the middle, and the red stripe is on the right. This design makes the flag easy to recognize.
Why These Colors? The History Behind the Flag
The colors of the Belgian flag come from a very old symbol. They were the colors of the Duchy of Brabant, which was an important area in Belgium's history. The Duchy of Brabant had a coat of arms with a golden lion on a black background, with red claws and tongue.
When Belgium became independent in 1830, people wanted a new flag. They looked to their history for inspiration. They chose the colors black, yellow, and red to honor the Brabant Revolution. This revolution helped Belgium gain its freedom.
When Was the Flag Adopted?
The current design of the Belgian flag was officially adopted on January 23, 1831. This was a very important time for Belgium, as it had just become an independent country. The flag became a symbol of its new nationhood.
The flag represents the country's freedom and its people's spirit. It is flown on government buildings, schools, and homes throughout Belgium.
Different Versions of the Flag
You might sometimes see different versions of the Belgian flag. The official national flag has a proportion of 13:15. This means it's a bit taller than it is wide. However, this specific proportion is not seen very often.
The most common version of the flag you will see has a proportion of 2:3. This means it is two units tall for every three units wide. This version is used by the public and is often seen on town halls and other buildings. Both versions use the same black, yellow, and red vertical stripes.
Images for kids
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The flag on the Royal Palace of Brussels
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The 2:3 ratio is more commonly displayed on town halls. Pictured: town hall of Hasselt.
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The flag on the Belgian Federal Parliament building
See also
In Spanish: Bandera de Bélgica para niños
