Lontzen

About the place: Lontzen is a German-speaking municipality located in eastern Belgium within the Province of Liège. Comprising the sub-municipalities of Lontzen, Herbesthal, and Walhorn, it is known for its rich history linked to zinc and lead mining.

Flag Description: The flag consists of two vertical bands, yellow on the hoist side (left side from the viewer's perspective) and blue on the fly side (right side from the viewer's perspective). In the center of the flag is a large white oval bearing Saint Stephen in yellow (gold) robes with a halo, holding stones in his left hand and resting his right hand on the municipal coat of arms. The shield is per pale: in the dexter half (left from viewer's perspective), on a blue field, a golden Virgin Mary with child surrounded by rays and standing on a crescent moon; in the sinister half (right from viewer's perspective), on a silver (white) field, a red double-tailed lion with a golden crown, armed and langued.

Symbolism: Yellow and blue are the traditional colors of Lontzen. Saint Stephen is the patron saint of the local parish church, with the stones symbolizing his martyrdom by stoning. The shield depicts the Virgin Mary alongside the Limburg lion, representing the historical ties of the territory to the Duchy of Limburg.