Bilzen

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BILZEN

Province : Limburg
Additions : 1977 Beverst, Eigenbilzen, Hoelbeek, Martenslinde, Mopertingen (1970 Hees, Rosmeer), Munsterbilzen, Spouwen (1970 Grote-Spouwen, Kleine-Spouwen, Rijkhoven), Waltwilder

Official blazon

(1819) in de lengte door midden gedeeld, het eerste deel van lazuur, beladen met vier dwarsbalken van goud, het tweede mede van lazuur, beladen met een boom, staand eop een terras, alles van goud.
(1840) Van boven af in twee gedeeld, het 1e (oud Looz), met tien gulden en roode strepen overtrokken, het tweede (Bilzen) van goud met eenen groenen gebladerden boom, op eenen groenen heuvel.
(1989) Gedeeld 1. gedwarsbalkt van tien stukken van goud en van keel 2. in zilver een geplante beuk van sinopel.

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on November 10, 1819 and again on February 26, 1840 and June 6, 1989.

Bilzen received city rights in 1386 and in the new city two courts were held, one for the County Loon, one for the Diocese of Liège, as the area originally was part of the County Loon within the Diocese of Liège.

The oldest known seals date from the 14th century and already show a shield with the bars of the County Loon, and a beech tree, for the older name of the city, Beukenbilzen (to distinguish the town from nearby Eigenbilzen and Munsterbilzen), beuk meaning beech.

In the 14th and 15th century the seals showed arms which included the local patron saint, St. Martin. The saint disappeared again in the early 18th century from the seals. In 1819 the arms were granted in the Dutch national colours, as the mayor did not specifiy colours on the application. This was corrected in 1840 after the Belgian independence. The arms were confirmed in 1989.