Flag of the Brussels-Capital Region
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| Use | Civil and state flag.  |
| Proportion | 2:3 |
| Adopted | 1991 |
| Design | A yellow Iris with a white outline upon a blue background |
| Designed by | Jacques Richez |
The Flag of the Brussels-Capital Region consists of a yellow Iris with a white outline upon a blue background. It was adopted by the Capital Region in 1991.
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[edit] Origins and symbolism
The yellow Iris, a Iris pseudacorus, as a symbol for Brussels dates back to before 1924 with Cornette writing that the flower was chosen to represent the city as it could be found growing in the marshes - the city itself was founded upon marshy ground - today even through the expansion and industrialisation of the city.
The plant used to surround the city walls and, according to legend, gave a key victory to the Dukes of Brabant: knowing the plant could only gorw in shallow water, the Duke's troops could gallop through the flooded plains by keeping to the Iris covered areas. His oppoents however, seeing them crossing but not knowing of the Iris, attempted to cross but got bogged down in the marshes.
The flower also featured on the sceptre of the descendants of Charlemagne. This included Charles of France, who set up a fortified camp in the area, in the Duchy of Lower Lotharingia, and chose the site as the capital. This is considered the foundation of Brussels.
The Brussels-Capital Region, created on 18 June 1989, adopted the plant as the symbol of the city on 5 March 1991. The exact design was chosen through a public competition, with the design by Jacques Richez being chosen.
[edit] Design
The flag, as defined by law, has 2:3 proportions. The Iris is yellow with a white border and the background is blue.
| Blue | Yellow | White | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pantone | Blue 280 | Yellow 116 | White |
| Gold 874 | |||
| Black | Black |
[edit] Derivative flags
The flags colours and emblem are used on the flag of the French Community Commission of the Region of Brussels-Capital (together with the flag of the French Community) and the Flemish Community Commission of the Region of Brussels-Capital (together with the flag of the Flemish community).
