Last modified: 2003-12-05 by ivan sache
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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