APRIL 18, 2025 — The newly merged municipality of Tongeren-Borgloon in Belgium has presented its proposed municipal flag, designed to reflect the unique heraldic traditions of both former municipalities, reports the Het Belang van Limburg.
While final approval rests with the Flemish Government, the designs will be formally introduced to the municipality council on April 29.
The municipality of Tongeren-Borgloon is the result of a recent administrative merger on January 1 between the historic Belgian municipalities of Tongeren and Borgloon.
In accordance with Belgian law, every municipality must have an official flag and coat of arms. Following the merger, the previous flags and arms became obsolete. Mayor Jo Feytons explained that the Belgian national coat of arms is currently being used on official documents in the interim.
The flag, though more flexible in its design options than the coat of arms, still carefully adheres to historical context. Its design was developed in consultation with a heraldry expert, ensuring that it honors tradition while marking the start of a new chapter for the municipality.
The new flag draws heavily from the visual heritage of both Tongeren and Borgloon. On the right side, the flag prominently features the traditional Borgloon colours—red and gold—which are historically linked to the County of Loon and appear in numerous municipal flags across Limburg.
On the left side, the flag shows the white swan of Tongeren against a blue background. The swan is a long-standing emblem of Tongeren and also features in noble heraldry associated with the region.
Unique to the flag is the inclusion of vair patterns—stylized heraldic bell shapes—that lie horizontally. These elements trace back to the arms of the knights of Tongeren and are widely seen in local heraldry throughout Hesbaye, including the new coat of arms of Tongeren-Borgloon.
