Council of Heraldry and Vexillology


The Council of Heraldry and Vexillology is the Heraldic authority for the French Community of Belgium. It is the institution that advises the Government of the French Community on all matters concerning civic, personal, and familial arms and flags.

Purpose

This institution was created in 1985 through a decree by the French Community of Belgium. Its first purpose was to give the French Community its arms, to recognise the arms, seals and flags of cities and municipalities issued from fusions and to publish from its work, an armorial of the French Community of Belgium.
After this armorial was published in 2002, the council was charged in 2010 to give to the government opinions and advice regarding anything concerning arms of physical persons, families and family associations and their registry. This mission was previously the role of the Royal Belgian Genealogical and Heraldic Office.

Other Heraldic authorities in Belgium

The Flemish Heraldic Council has a similar purpose in the Flemish Community and the Council of Nobility grants arms to the nobility in all of Belgium.

Composition of the Council