Last modified: 2009-10-02 by ivan sache
Keywords: burgundy | bourgogne | fleur-de-lis: 3 (white) | regional council | letter: b (blue) |
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Departments: Côte-d'Or,
Nièvre,
Saône-et-Loire,
Yonne
Bordering Regions: Auvergne,
Centre,
Champagne-Ardennes,
Franche-Comté,
Île-de-France,
Rhône-Alpes
Traditional provinces: Bourgogne,
Champagne,
Nivernais,
Orléanais
Area: 31,582 km2
Population (1995): 1,623,900 inhabitants
Regional prefecture: Dijon
1982
Flag of the Regional Council, 1982 - Image by Jaume Ollé, 23 November 1996
1983
Flag of the Regional Council, 1983 - Image by Jaume Ollé, 23 November 1996
1984 first flag
Flag of the Regional Council, 1984 - Image by Jaume Ollé, 23 November 1996
The logo of the Regional Council shows in its left part an
"adaptation" (same design but colour changed) of the traditional
banner of arms of Burgundy, and on its right part a big blue "B" letter.
The "B" stands for the region's name but is also a reference
to one of the most famous Burgundians, Sr. Bernard of Clairvaux.
The "B" shown on the logo was the first letter of his signature.
Bernard of Clairvaux (Fontaine-les-Dijon 1090 - Clairvaux 1153)
joined the abbey of Cîteaux as a monk in 1112. In 1098, Abbot
Robert of Molesme founded there the Cistercian order, independent of
the Cluny order. At that time, the powerful abbey of Cluny ruled an economical empire stretching out all over
western Europe. Bernard decided to carry on Robert de Molesme's
reform and advocated for a strict implementation of St. Benedict's
rule, abolishing the tithe and other taxes that had made the fortune
of Cluny. With a few monks, he settled in a very isolated, poor
place named Clairvaux in 1115. In spite of harsh life conditions and
a rule based on austerity and labour, Clairvaux attracted a lot of
monks and the daughter abbey of Trois-Fontaines was founded in 1121
in Champagne. When Bernard died, the Abbey
of Cîteaux had 700 monks and more than 350 abbeys had joined
the Cistercian order. The order was organized in a hierarchical
network dominated by the "Elder Daughters" of Cîteaux, Clairvaux, Pontigny, La Ferté and Morimond.
Although he had initially decided to live in an isolated place and to
spend his time in prayer and labour, Bernard quickly became one of
the most famous men of his times. A famous erudite,
theologian, philosoph, and political councillor of Kings and Popes,
Bernard preached the Second Crusade in 1147 in Vézelay on behalf of
Pope Eugene III. Bernard's philosophy was characterized by mysticism, opposing to Abélard's rationalism. As a theologian, he was one
of the founders of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin, and remained famous for his mystical interpretation of the Song of Songs (also a masterpeice of
French poetry).
The Cistercian church architecture is characterized by a very simple
plan, which was spread all over Europe with very few variations. Any
kind of decoration was forbidden, giving a very strong impression of
austerity. The abbey church usually has a flat chevet and no bell
tower, to prevent the bells disturbing silence and meditation. The
best example of Cistercian architecture is the abbey of Fontenay, registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List, located in Burgundy. Clairvaux was transformed into a jailhouse
in 1808 while Cîteaux is stil inhabited by Cistercian monks.
Ivan Sache, 14 December 2001
1984 modified flag
Flag of the Regional Council, 1984 modified - Image by Jaume Ollé, 23 November 1996
A few weeks after the adoption of the 1984 design, small modifications were introduced in the red-yellow bands and in the letter "B".
Jaume Ollé, 23 November 1996