Bruneian Empire (later protectorate), 1368–1906
The flag of Brunei has a centered emblem of Brunei on a yellow field cut by black and white diagonal stripes (parallelograms at an angle). The yellow field represents the sultan of Brunei. The red crest consists of a crescent facing upwards, joined with a parasol, with hands on the sides.
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| Use | Civil and state flag, civil ensign     |
|---|---|
| Proportion | 1:2 |
| Adopted | 29 September 1959; 64 years ago (1959-09-29) |
| Design | A centered red crest of Brunei on a yellow field cut by black and white diagonal stripes (parallelograms). |
| Designed by | Yura Halim |
InSoutheast 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 Pengiran Bendahara (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’
It is one of the few national flags incorporating a diagonal line, with other examples including the DR Congo, Tanzania, Namibia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
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| 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 Force Ensign. Red ensign with the Bruneian flag in canton and the Royal Brunei Land Force emblem in fly. | 1:2 |
|
 Naval ensign
|
Brunei Naval Ensign. White (crossless) ensign with the war flag in canton. | 1:2 |
|
Air Force ensign
|
Royal Brunei Air Force Ensign. Light blue ensign with the war flag in canton and the Royal Brunei Air Force roundel in fly. | 2:3 |
|
Royal Brunei Police Force flag. | Dark blue flag with the emblem in the centre. | 1:2 |
 |
Alleged Royal Brunei Navy Flag in 1601 | Asallow-tail version of the Flag of Bruneian Sultanate (Empire). | 1.2 |
| Flag | Type | Description | Flag Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard of the Sultan | The standard of His Majesty the Sultan is yellow, incorporating his personal emblem at the centre of the standard with all its elements red. | 1:2 |
|
Standard of Pengiran-Pengiran Kebanyakan | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Pengiran Perdana Cheteria Laila Diraja Sahibun Nabalah | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Pengiran Maharaja Lela Sahibul Kahar | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Pengiran Indera Setia Diraja Sahibul Karib | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Pengiran Maharaja Setia Laila Diraja Sahibul Irshad | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Pengiran Pekerma Setia Diraja Sahibul Bandar | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Pengiran Sanggamara Diraja | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Cheteria Besar | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Cheteria Pengalasan | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Pengiran Penggawa Laila Bentara Istiadat Diraja Dalam Istana | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Cheteria Damit | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Pehin Mentari | A yellow-red-yellow horizontal flag with the emblem on the yellow canton. | 1:2 |
|
Standard of Manteri Empat | 1:2 | |
|
Standard of Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja | 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:
Their personal standards incorporate the state crest in red on a yellow background at the top left corner of the flags.
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| Yellow | Red | White | Black | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RGB | 247/224/23 | 207/17/38 | 255/255/255 | 0/0/0 |
| Hexadecimal | #F7E017 | #CF1126 | #FFFFFF | #000000 |
