FLAG OF BRUNEI: HISTORY AND MEANING - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The Brunei flag is the official flag of the nation and represents it nationally and internationally. The banner consists of two stripes, black and white, that divide the flag diagonally. The free spaces form two yellow trapezoids. In the center is the national emblem.

Yellow represents royalty; the black and white stripes to the chief ministers. The shield represents the Islamic religion thanks to the crescent. The hands symbolize the benevolence of the government and the umbrella, royalty.

By User: Nightstallion, via Wikimedia Commons

The Brunei flag has not undergone many changes throughout its history. At the time of the Brunei Empire, the flag was a yellow rectangle. Then only two more changes were made.

Brunei also has flags for the Armed Forces and a naval flag. Both have different designs but their base is the national flag. There is the Sultan's Banner and custom flags for the descendants of a sultan, a wazir, and a cheteria.

Officials also wear custom flags. These must include the National Shield in red on a yellow box, which should be located in the upper left corner.

History of the flag

Between 1368 and 1906, the flag of the Brunei Empire consisted of a completely yellow rectangle. This was the distinctive color of the monarchy that had been established in the place.

Flag of the Empire of Brunei By The original uploader was at. (Original text: Orange Tuesday (talk)), via Wikimedia Commons

Beginning in 1906, the black and white stripes were added that divided the rectangle diagonally from corner to corner. In that year, the nation became a British Protectorate after the signing of the agreement between Brunei and Great Britain.

By Orange Tuesday at English Wikipedia (Original text: Orange Tuesday (talk)) (Based on en: Image: Flag_of_Brunei.svg), via Wikimedia Commons

In 1959, after the promulgation of the constitution in that same year, the red shield was added in the center. On January 1, 1984, the nation gained total independence and was given the name Brunei Darussalam or Brunei, Abode of Peace.

Current flag of Brunei, adopted in 1959. By User: Nightstallion, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite having obtained independence in 1984, the nation kept the design of the flag. Although the size of the stripes was changed a bit, the overall design remains the same.

Banner design

The flag of Brunei is rectangular and is made up of four portions: two parallelograms and two trapezoids. A parallelogram cuts the flag diagonally, from the top of the left side to the bottom of the right side.

The standard measurements for the flag are 82 cm by 91.4 cm. The parallelogram is divided in two. The top white stripe is 8.5 '' wide. On the other hand, the lower one, in black, measures 19.05 cm wide. Thanks to the division of both stripes, two similar trapezoids are formed above and below the yellow color.

The national emblem in red is located in the center of the flag. This consists of an upward crescent moon and an umbrella. On each side there are hands. The index fingers of each are 61 cm away from the edges of the flag.

On the shield you can see a writing written in Arabic alphabet in yellow letters. Translated into Spanish it means: Always render service for the guidance of God.

By extracted from the flag of Brunei, provided at the Open Clip Art website., via Wikimedia Commons

Meaning of the flag

The flag has a yellow background, which represents the Sultan of Brunei. On the other hand, yellow, in Southeast Asia, is the color of royalty. This can be found on other flags of different monarchies in the region, such as Malaysia.

Flag stripes

The diagonal black and white stripes represent Brunei's top ministers. These were joint rulers until the sultan came of age. First, the widest, white stripe represents Pengiran Bendahara, Prime Minister.

On the other hand, the thinner and black stripe has another meaning. This represents the second minister in charge of Foreign Affairs, Pemancha de Pengiran.

Shield on the flag

The shield is also full of symbolism. The royal parasol or parasol, called Payung Ubor-Ubor, has a crown representing royalty. The wings or Sayab have four feathers: each one represents justice, tranquility, prosperity and peace.

The crescent represents Islam and is written in yellow letters: "Always at the service with the guidance of God." In addition, a tape reads "Brunei, homeland of peace." The hands at the sides, tangana or Kimhap, represent the benevolence and serenity of the governmental power.

Other flags

Brunei, like other nations, has different flag designs destined for a legal body of the country. Each one has its own design, but its base is always the national flag of the country.

The Brunei Armed Forces flag is made up of three diagonal stripes. The first at the top is white, the second is red, and the last is black. In the center of the three is the insignia of the Armed Forces.

See page for author, via Wikimedia Commons

For its part, the nation's naval flag consists of a white rectangle. The flag of the Armed Forces is located in the upper left corner.

By Xrmap (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons

Personal banners

The banner of the Sultan His Majesty Raja Isteri, is composed of a completely yellow rectangle. In the center is his personal emblem in red.

By Heralder (Sultan of Brunei's Standard. FOTW), via Wikimedia Commons

The Perdana Wazir also has a personal standard that was bestowed upon it by His Majesty the Sultan. This consists of a white background and in the center the National Shield in yellow. It is supported by a si kikil, a kris crossed by its sheath.

The chief ministers are Pengiran Bendaharan, Pengiran Digadong, Pengiran Pemancha and Pengiran Temenggong. All have personalized banners, these being white, green, black and red, respectively.

Junior officers also have official banners issued by His Majesty. Descendants of a sultan up to four generations, descendants of a wazir up to three generations, the de menteri (non-noble officials), and the damong (chiefs), are allowed to wear personalized flags.

All these flags must include the National Shield in red color on a yellow background and be located in the upper left corner of the flag.

References

1. Brown DE, (1970). Brunei: The Structure and History of a Bornean Malay Sultanate. Recovered from books.google.co.ve.
2. Flag Research Center. (1984). The Flag Bulletin, Volume 23. Recovered from books.google.co.ve.
3. HM Stationery Office. (1946). Annual Report on Brunei. Recovered from books.google.co.ve.
4. Jatswan S., (2017). Historical Dictionary of Brunei. Third Edition. Recovered from books.google.co.ve.
5. The Goverment Of Brunei Darussalam Official Website. (2016). National Flag and Crest. Recovered from brunei.gov.bn.