As the official symbol of the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam, the country's flag was adopted in September 1959. It was then that the United Kingdom granted autonomy to its Asian protectorate, which allowed the Sultan of Brunei to determine the course of internal self-government.
Description and proportions of the flag of Brunei
The cloth of the Brunei flag has the usual rectangular shape. The length of the flag is twice its width. The flag is approved for use by land institutions and civilians, including private and merchant ships of the country's fleet.
The Brunei flag has bright yellow as the main color of its field. From top to bottom and from left to right, the panel is crossed by two adjacent stripes, the upper one of which is white, and the lower one is black. In the center of the Brunei flag is the emblem of the country, made in red and gold.
Brunei's emblem was created and approved back in 1921. This important state symbol on the Brunei flag has five different elements as its main features. In its center and on top is a royal umbrella, the foot for which are the wings of a bird. Above the umbrella there is a flag, and from below they are closed by a crescent, the horns of which are turned up. Under the crescent, the motto of the country is written on a ribbon in gold, and images of palms are applied to the sides of the crescent.
The yellow color of the Brunei flag is traditional and was used long before the appearance of the modern state symbol. The elements of Brunei's emblem represent royalty and the Sultan's concern for the welfare and prosperity of his subjects. The crescent moon on the coat of arms reminds that Islam remains the main religion of the inhabitants of the Sultanate, and the motto inscribed on the ribbon means "Always in service under the leadership of God."
History of the flag of Brunei
Until 1906, a pale yellow rectangular cloth served as the flag of Brunei. Then white and black stripes appeared on the flag, which were located slightly higher than on the modern version. In 1959, the white and black fields slightly changed their position on the Brunei flag and this version exists unchanged to this day.
The Brunei flag is one of the most revered symbols of the state. For inappropriate treatment or damage to the flag in the Sultanate, there are severe penalties, including long prison terms.
