Belgische Gemeentewapens - Armories communales de Belgique Belgian Civic Heraldry

KORTRIJK

Province : West-Vlaanderen
Additions : 1976 Aalbeke, Bellegem, Bissegem, Heule, Kooigem, Marke, Rollegem

Origin/meaning :
The arms were officially granted on June 26, 1859 and again on July 7, 1987.

Previously the city was granted arms without supporters on September 15, 1819 and again on May 31, 1838.

The arms are based on the arms of the 12th century Viscounts of Kortrijk. The chevron appears for the first time on a seal of Rogier II of Kortrijk from 1197. In 1199 the chevron appears for the first time on a counter-seal of the city. Until 1309 the chevron only appeard on the counter-seals, from 1309 onwards also on the main seals. The supporter appear on the seal in 1368, the muralcrown in the 18th century. The oldest colour image dates from the end of the 15th century.

In 1819 the arms were granted without supporters and with a crown used for cities in the Netherlands at the time. These arms were confirmed after the Belgian independence. Only in 1859 the historical large arms were restored and onfirmed after the municipal changes of 1976.

Literature : Servais, 1955; Vivianne-Wouters and Warlop, 2002.

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