Symbols of Brussels
The symbols of Brussels are the objects, images, or cultural expressions that are emblematic, representative, or otherwise characteristic of Brussels and its culture. These national symbols are cultural icons that have emerged from Brusselian folklore and tradition, meaning few have any official status. However, most if not all maintain recognition at a national or international level, and some, such as the flag of the Brussels-Capital Region, have been codified in, and are established, official, and recognised symbols of Brussels.
Vexillology
| The flag of the Brussels-Capital Region consists of a stylised yellow iris on a blue background. | |
| The flag of the Flemish Community Commission consists of the former flag of the Brussels-Capital Region and the flag of Flanders. | |
| The flag of the French Community Commission consists of the former flag of the Brussels-Capital Region and the flag of Wallonia. |
Food and drink
| Brussels waffle, type of waffle dating back to the 18th century. | |
| Pain à la grecque is a pastry consisting of a simple rectangle of milk bread, brown sugar, and cinnamon sprinkled with granulated sugar. | |
| Lambic and its derived beers. | |
| Pralines type of chocolate invented by the chocolatier Jean Neuhaus II in the Royal Saint-Hubert Galleries. | |
| Witloof are blanched endives was accidentally discovered in the 1850s at the Botanical Garden of Brussels. | |
| Speculoos is a type of biscuit developed in the 20th century, as an alternative for people who could not afford Dutch speculaas. |
Literature
| Colijn Caillieu served as the first poet of Brussels from 1474 to 1485 and was the factor of a number of chambers of rhetoric. Surviving works include Tdal sonder wederkeeren and Vrou Margriete. Experts often identify him with Colijn van Rijssele, possibly the author of De Spiegel Der Minnen and the play Van Narcissus ende Echo. | |
| Michel de Ghelderode : avant-garde dramatist who wrote in French. Known for exploring the extremes of human experience, one of his notable works is the play Pantagleize, which reflects his thematic range by addressing societal absurdities and the human condition. | |
| Charles De Coster was a novelist and folklorist best known for his influential work The Legend of Thyl Ulenspiegel and Lamme Goedzak. | |
| Hergé : cartoonist known for creating the iconic series The Adventures of Tintin, considered one of the most popular European comics of the 20th century. | |
| Jean d'Osta : writer, journalist, and humourist known for his works on Brussels and its dialect, Brusselian. He created the popular character Jef Kazak, featured in Belgian magazines Pourquoi Pas? and Vlan. |
Music
| Jacques Brel : singer-songwriter, and performer, renowned for his emotionally charged and poetic chansons. | |
| Toots Thielemans : jazz harmonicist, guitarist, and whistler, renowned for his remarkable contributions to the world of jazz and his iconic harmonica solos. | |
| Annie Cordy : singer, actress, and comedian renowned for her vibrant stage presence and a prolific career that encompassed music, film, and theater. | |
| Grand Jojo : singer-songwriter known for his comedic and festive music. |
Myth and folklore
| Herkenbald was a legendary magistrate of Brussels who is said to have lived in the around 1020. He was considered the example of an incorruptible judge. | |
| The Fontaine d'Amour or Minnebron, is a spring in Josaphat Park named after a legend about a noblewoman, Herlinde, who drowned herself there after her lover, Theobald, was called to war and never returned. According to local belief, if two lovers drink from the spring together, they will be united before the year's end. | |
| Everard t'Serclaes : was a citizen of Brussels who was made famous by his recovery of the city from the Flemings during the War of the Brabantian Succession. | |
| Pogge den Boer : folk hero, revered for his honesty, strong sense of justice, and dedication to doing good. He became highly esteemed for his ability to address local issues with his consistent mantra, "Alles es just". |
People
| Saint Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of Brussels together with Saint Gudula. | |
| Saint Gudula, the patron saint of Brussels together with Saint Michael the Archangel. | |
| Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine who founded Brussels in 979. | |
| Charles Picqué, the first Minister-President of the Brussels Capital-Region regarded as "Father of the Nation". |
Municipal symbols
City of Brussels
Coat of arms
The coat of arms of the City of Brussels shows two lions on a grassy mount supporting a red shield. The motif of the escutcheon is a golden Archangel Michael slaying a black Devil by piercing it with a spear shaped like a cross. Other elements include two crossed flags behind the shield; one showing a lion on a black field and the other repeating the motif of the shield on a red field.A lesser version of the coat of arms which includes the shield only, is also common.