Emblem
On 5 March 1991, the Regional Council of Brussels-Capital chose the iris as emblem for the region. A public contest was organized to define its design. After several adventures, the proposal of Jacques Richez was accepted by the authorities."
The iris is a bulb that blossoms into large, decorative flowers. It grows particularly well in marshes, with which the territory of Brussels was originally covered.
The law describes the different versions of the flag and arms (colour specification according to Pantone system):
| 1 | Yellow 116 | Blue 280 |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Gold 874 | Blue 280 |
It is often said that the iris would be inspirated on the French fleur-de-lis, however without any serious evidence. The case of the fleur-de-lis is deeply scrutinized by M. Pastoureau in a 16 page well-documented text. Whether the fleur-de-lis was inspired by a real iris, broom, furze or lotus is not known and not really important.
By the Law of the 16th of May 1991 the iris flower was accepted as the emblem of the region. The flag is blue with a white bordered yellow iris flower, with proportions 2:3.
Read more about this topic: Symbols Of Brussels
Famous quotes containing the word emblem:
“Pharisaism, obtuseness and tyranny reign not only in the homes of merchants and in jails; I see it in science, in literature, and among youth. I consider any emblem or label a prejudice.... My holy of holies is the human body, health, intellect, talent, inspiration, love and the most absolute of freedoms, the freedom from force and falsity in whatever forms they might appear.”
—Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860–1904)
“Time! Joyless emblem of the greed
Of millions, robber of the best
Which earth can give ...”
—Amy Lowell (1874–1925)
“The rumor of a great city goes out beyond its borders, to all the latitudes of the known earth. The city becomes an emblem in remote minds; apart from the tangible export of goods and men, it exerts its cultural instrumentality in a thousand phases.”
—In New York City, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)