In Southeast Asia, yellow is traditionally the color of royalty, and the royal standards of Malaysia and Thailand, and the flag of Sarawak, along with the presidential flag of Indonesia, all use a yellow field as well. The crescent symbolizes Islam, the parasol symbolizes monarchy, and the hands at the side symbolize the benevolence of the government. The black and white stripes represent Brunei's chief ministers[1] who were once joint-regents and then – after the sultan came of age – senior advisors: the PengiranBendahara (First Minister, symbolised by a slightly thicker white stripe) and the Pengiran Pemancha (Second Minister, governing foreign affairs, symbolised by black), with the white stripe being roughly 12% wider than the black one.[2][3]
On the crescent is the national motto of Brunei in Arabic: الدائمون المحسنون بالهدى; Ad-dāʾimūna al-muḥsinūna bi-l-hudā, meaning "Always render service with God's guidance".
Below this is a banner inscribed with the name of the country in Jawi: بروني دارالسلام; Brunei Darussalam, which means ‘Brunei, the Abode of Peace’
The flag in its present form, except for the crest, has been in use since 1906 when Brunei became a British protectorate, following the signing of an agreement between Brunei and Great Britain. Even though Brunei was only nominally independent after this, Bruneians retained certain symbols, like the flag.[4]
The crest was superimposed in 1959 after the promulgation of the Constitution of 29 September 1959.[5]
The design was retained when the country gained full independence on 1 January 1984 as Brunei Darussalam (Brunei, Abode of Peace).
Bruneian Empire (later protectorate), 1368–1906
Protectorate of Brunei, 1906–1959
Brunei Darussalam, 1959–present
Other ensigns and flags
Flag
Type
Description
Flag Ratio
Armed Forces flag
Brunei Armed Forces Flag. Yellow flag with three diagonal stripes white over red over black, with Armed Forces' badge in the middle.
2:3
Army ensign
Royal Brunei Land Forces Ensign. Red ensign with the Bruneian flag in canton and the Royal Brunei Land Forces emblem in fly.
A yellow-red-yellow horizontal flag with the emblem on the yellow canton.
1:2
The standard of Her Majesty the Raja Isteri is light yellow, incorporating the Sultan's crest on red background at the centre of the standard.
The Perdana Wazir has also a personal standard granted to him by His Majesty the Sultan. The standard is white superimposed in the centre with the state crest in light yellow. The crest is supported by si kikil, a kris crossed by its sheath.
The personal standards of the Pengiran Bendahara, Pengiran Digadong, Pengiran Pemancha and Pengiran Temenggong (senior ministers) are white, green, black and red respectively.
The Sultan had also bestowed personal flags to lesser officials known as Pengiran Cheteria and to Pengiran and other subjects.
Among the Pengiran and dignitaries who are authorised to use personal standards are:
Descendants of a sultan, down to four generations,
Descendants of a wazir, down to three generations,
Descendants of a cheteria, down to two generations,
From menteri (non-noble officials) to damong (chiefs).
Their personal standards incorporate the state crest in red on a yellow background at the top left corner of the flags.
Bruneian Empire (later protectorate), 1368–1906
Brunei Darussalam, 1959–present
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