Last modified: 2018-12-15 by rob raeside
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by Stefan Lambrechts, 20 Apr 2005: http://www.flagchart.net
adopted 7 Mar 1983; design: J.F. van Heijningen
The coat of arms of Heel shows the golden bust of St. Helen on blue
as explanation of the name "Heel". It is said that St. Helen
rediscovered the cross of Christ in 324; therefore her attribute is a cross.
St. Lambert is the supporter. According to Kl. Sierksma the name "Heel"
means: "heide-dal" (heather-valley), derived from "Hedele".
However that is incorrect. There has been heather in Heel, but that is
not represented in the name. In 365 A.D. Heel is mentioned as Catualium,
a stage on the road Tongeren - Köln. That word can be split into "Catu"
+ "Walja". The first part is from Old-German "hathu" = battle
and the second part must be a derivation from Latin "vallum" - wall.
The name points at a wall of defense which has been built there. The single
cross is an attribute of St. Helen. A cross with a square in lines twined
through it is St. Lambert's attribute. By putting bastions on the edges
of the square the wall of defense is represented as the only correct explanation
of the name "Heel". The two crosses and the wall of defense have
been combined to one image. Purple is the color of heather, as the second
less correct explanation. Yellow has been chosen to represent sand and
sandy clay and points rather at "Panheel" = dip near Heel.
Source: Personal communications by Mr. van Heijningen.
Vexilla Nostra 18 (129) 85.
Derkwillem Visser's "Gemeentevlaggen en Wapens Koninkrijk der Nederlanden",
2001.
Jarig Bakker, 20 Apr 2005
Arms: azure a bust of St. Helen supported dexter by St. Lambert, all or.