Nivelles

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NIVELLES

Province : Brabant wallon
Additions : 1977 Baulers, Bornival, Monstreux, Thines

Official blazon

(1847) D'argent à une crosse abbatiale de gueules posée en pal, sur le tout de sable au lion d'or, armé et lampassé de gueules.
(1979) D'argent à une crosse abbatrale de gueules posée en pal, sur le tout de sable au lion d'or, armé et lampassé de gueules.

Origin/meaning

The arms were granted on February 16, 1847 and again on March 9, 1979.

The arms are a combination of a crozier for the influential Nivelles Abbey and a small shield with the arms of Brabant. The city officially received arms on May 1st 1532 by Emperor Charles V. These arms showed a red cross for the abbey, with the shield of Brabant. These arms have been used until the late 18^th century. Why the cross was changed into a crozier in 1847 is not known.