Charleroi

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CHARLEROI

Province : Hainaut
Additions : 1977 Couillet, Dampremy, Gilly, Gosselies, Goutroux, Jumet, Lodelinsart, Marchienne-au-Pont, Marcinelle, Monceau-sur-Sambre, Montignies-sur-Sambre, Mont-sur-Marichenne, Ransart, Roux

Official blazon

(1847) De sable au lion d'or, armé d'un sabre de même, au chef d'argent, chargé d'une fleur de lys de gueules. L'écu sommé d'une couronne à sept perles. Pour support,à senestre de l'écu, un lion assis, au naturel, la patte dextre armée d'un sabre d'argent, garni d'or, le tout reposant sur un tertre de sinople.
(not official) De sable à la silhouette d'une forteresse hexagonale d'argent, entournée de douze étoiles à cinq rais d'or rangées en crcle, le tout surmonté de quinze points d'échiquier alternativement de gueules et d'argent rangés en fasce huit et sept; au chef diminué d'argent à une fleur de lys de gueules.

Origin/meaning

The old arms were granted on August 28, 1847. The current arms are not officially granted.

The oldest known arms of Charleroi date from 1680 and show a black shield with a silver chief. These arms were derived from the Isenghien family of Gent, at the time Lords of Charleroi. In 1697 the Spanish King (Belgium at the time was part of Spain) granted the lion of Namur in the lower part of the shield. In 1847 the fleur-de-lis was added as a French symbol.

The arms from 1847:

After the merger in 1977 new arms were needed. The fleur-de-lis was retained as a symbol of France's involvement in the initial development of the fortress. The castle of Vauban, the centre of the city is shown in the lower part of the arms. The castle is surrounded by 12 stars, derived from the flag of European Towns. Under the chief is a chequered bar with 15 squares, one for each of the former municipalities.
The rooster supporter is the symbol of the French-speaking part of Belgium.

The arms in the Koffie Hag/Café Hag albums +/- 1930	The arms on a police badge (source)
The arms on a police badge (source)	The arms on a Dutch Willem II cigar band