Letterhoutem
Revision as of 06:07, 13 September 2011 by Knorrepoes (talk | contribs) (Text replace - "Oost Vlaanderen" to "Oost-Vlaanderen")
Heraldry of the World Civic heraldry of Belgium - Belgische Gemeentewapens / Armorial de Belgique |
LETTERHOUTEM
Province : Oost-Vlaanderen
Incorporated into : 1976 Sint-Lievens-Houtem
Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted on January 15, 1948.
The arms show the three keys of the Sint Pieter Abbey in Gent, to which the village historically belonged. The keys also appeared on the 18th century seal of the village, but in 1818 the village applied for totally different arms, as shown below.
These arms were granted on February 24, 1818 and show a pelican feeding his chicks with his blood, a typical religious symbol.
Literature : Servais, 1955