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Anderlecht (Municipality, Region of Brussels-Capital, Belgium)

Last modified: 2002-10-19 by ivan sache
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Description of the coat of arms

In 1818, Anderlecht was granted its own arms. This shield shows "Azure, Saint Guidon Gold ", which recalls the official colours of the municipality, gold for yellow and azure for blue.
By decision of the Great Heraldic Council, dated from 7 October 1818, the Municipality was granted arms showing a kneeled Saint Guidon, raising a hand to the sky and holding from the other hand a stick ornated with a small banner ; behind him are a plough and two horses, gold on an azure field.
The decision was confirmed by a Royal Decree from 10 June 1840.

Although very few is known about the life of Saint Guidon, it is generally admitted that he was a farmer living around year 1000. It is said he went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem with Wonedulphe, échevin [deputy mayor] of Anderlecht. He came back much later and died of exhaustion in Anderlecht in 1012. Nowadays there still exists a procession to honour him, during which animals are honoured, too.
The relationship between cattle and agriculture is evident: for this reason, the saint is shown on the shield flanked with farm animals (a donkey and a horse) on one side and with ploughs on the other side.

Source: Municipal website

Ivan Sache, 29 February 2000





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