Thanks to the circumstances, the "Manneken-Pis" has become a legendary hero.

According to legend - depending on which one is to believed - a rich citizen lost his only son in the crowd during public rejoicings.
5 days later he was found in the corner of the Rue de l'Etuve, piddling like what the statue depicts. Another legend tells the story of a little
boy who saved the city by estinguishing - in his own way - the match the enemies intended to use to set the city on fire.

In 1619, the district collectors asked Jérome Duquesnoy (the Elder) to sculpture a statue of bronze in memory of their famous citizen.
Manneken-Pis, people's friend, over the years received many military honors and distinctions.