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

Last modified: 2003-12-05 by ivan sache
Keywords: anderlecht | st. guidon |
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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 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

The Rotasolis website has more 'factual' data on St. Guidon.

Saint Guidon (12 September)
Pilgrim and sacristan (d. 1012)

Guidon (Dutch, Guido; sometimes erroneously called Gui) was known as 'the village angel' in Anderlecht becaus