Last modified: 2003-12-05 by ivan sache
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In 1818, Anderlecht was granted its own arms. This shield shows:
Azure Saint Guidon gold,
which recalls the official colours of the municipality, gold for yellow and azure for blue.
By decision of the Great Heraldic Council, dated 7 October 1818,
the Municipality was granted arms showing a kneeled Saint Guidon,
raising a hand to the sky and holding from the other hand a stick
ornated with a small banner; behind him are a plough and two horses,
gold on an azure field.
The decision was confirmed by a Royal Decree from 10 June 1840.
Although very few is known about the life of Saint Guidon, it is
generally admitted that he was a farmer living around year 1000. It
is said he went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem with Wonedulphe,
échevin [deputy mayor] of Anderlecht. He came back much
later and died of exhaustion in Anderlecht in 1012. Nowadays there
still exists a procession to honour him, during which animals are
honoured, too.
The relationship between cattle and agriculture is evident: for this
reason, the saint is shown on the shield flanked with farm animals (a
donkey and a horse) on one side and with ploughs on the other side.
Source: Municipal website
The Rotasolis website has more 'factual' data on St. Guidon.
Saint Guidon (12 September)
Pilgrim and sacristan (d. 1012)
Guidon (Dutch, Guido; sometimes erroneously called Gui) was known as 'the village angel' in Anderlecht because he helped the poors. A rich merchant hired him, claiming that earning money will allow to him to better help the poors. A few days later, the cargo placed under Guidon's responsibility was lost into the river Senne, and Guidon was laid off. Guidon became a pilgrim and went to Rome and Jerusalem. In Rome, he met the Dean of Anderlecht who asked him to come back home. During the return journey, all Guido's companions died and Guido came back alone to Anderlecht, where he died after long years of piety and teaching.
Ivan Sache, 12 July 2003