![[Flag of Lokeren]](../images/b/be-vovlk.gif)
by Filip van Laenen
Last modified: 2002-10-19 by ivan sache
Keywords: lokeren | beet | turnip | waasland |
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by Filip van Laenen
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Lokeren (35,000 inhabitants) is located in the arrondissement of Sint-Niklaas.
The flag is: Quartered per saltire, Argent and Sable, in II a turnip Argent and Vert. Proportions are 2:3.
The beetroot is the old symbol for the Waasland area, of which
Lokeren is one of the largest towns. The history of the beet is the
following :
Emperor Charles V once visited the city of
Sint Niklaas and obviously a crowd
gathered to see the Emperor. Among these was a small farmer holding a
huge beet, which he wanted to hand to the Emperor. The guards,
however, prevented the farmer to reach the Emperor. The Emperor,
however, noticed that something was happening and asked the farmer
what he had in his hands. The farmer answered that he had a giant
fruit and that he wanted to give it to the Emperor. The Emperor was
intrigued and let the farmer pass the guards. The Emperor accepted
the beet and awarded the farmer with a large purse. Seeing the reward
for a simple beet, a local horsebreeder imagined the award he would
fetch if he gave the Emperor a good horse. So he offered the Emperor
a beautiful horse. The Emperor responded, saying that for a beautiful
horse, he would donate one of his precious possessions, and handed
the breeder the beet. Embarrassed the breeder had to accept the beet,
which ever since has been the symbol of the Waasland and its fertile
soil.
The flag was adopted on 11 March 1986.
Source: Flags of the Low Countries
Jarig Bakker, 18 October 2001