As the above picture of the Brunei Flag indicates the overall background is predominately yellow
According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Brunei flag represent the following:
Yellow - a symbol of generosity
White - peace and honesty
All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
The shape and flag ratio of the Brunei flag is described as 1:2 ( length twice the height )
The flag of Brunei is yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black, parallelograms starting from the upper hoist quarter
The red emblem on the Brunei flag pictures a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and flanked by two upraised hands
Embodied in the emblem, in yellow, is the state motto in Arabic script which can be roughly translated as "Always Render Service by God's Guidance"
The scroll beneath the crest reads "Brunei Darussalam" which means "Brunei, the abode of peace"
The national flag of Brunei was adopted on September 29, 1959
The Meaning & History of the Brunei Flag - The Brunei crest on the emblem includes the wing, the hand & the crescent
The wing of four feathers symbolizes the protection of justice, tranquillity, prosperity and peace
The hand represents the Government's pledge to promote welfare, peace and prosperity
The crescent is the symbol of Islam, the national religion of Brunei Darussalam
Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
Flag History & Evolution:
The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms were born
These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating a modern flag
Brunei Flag Etiquette
Brunei Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Brunei as follows:
Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
National Flag of Brunei
State Flag of Brunei
Military Flag of Brunei (in order of creation date)
Other Flag of Brunei
The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Brunei Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
The National flag of Brunei should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
The Brunei flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
A tattered or faded flag of Brunei should be removed and replaced with a new flag
Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Brunei flag is always flown the correct way up
A Flag of Brunei, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
Terminology & Etiquette in Brunei Flag display
Hoist - the act or function of raising the Brunei flag, as on a rope
Half Staff or Half Mast - the Brunei flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
Performed by first raising the Brunei flag to the top, then lowering the Brunei Flag halfway
Distress - denoted by flying the Brunei flag upside-down
Manner of hoisting - The Brunei flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
No disrespect should be shown to the Brunei flag
The Brunei flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
The Brunei flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
The Brunei flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
International Flag relating to Brunei Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Brunei Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource.
Brunei
Location:
South-eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia
Land Size of Brunei : 5,770 sq km
Climate / Weather of Brunei : tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Population of Brunei : 365,251 (July 2004 est.)
Former Name(s) : N/A
Capital City of Brunei : Bandar Seri Begawan
GDP of Brunei : $6.5 billion (2002 est.)
Main Industries : petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction
Currency of Brunei : Bruneian dollar (BND)
Agricultural products : rice, vegetables, fruits, chickens, water buffalo
Main Colors of Brunei Flag : Yellow, white and black
Commonly mis-spelt as Brunie
Concise History of the Nation of Brunei and its Flag
Brunei Darussalam is one Asia's oldest kingdoms
Chinese documents dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries refer to Brunei Darussalam as Puni or Puli
During the Ming Dynasty (1369-1643), close relations existed between Brunei Darussalam and China
The Advent of Islam is believed to have occurred prior to 1000AD
In the 15th and 16th centuries Brunei was a dominant power in the region embracing the whole Island of Borneo and as far as the Philippines
Between the 17th and 19th centries Brunei lost its dominance to European powers
In 1888 Brunei become a British protected State
The British government was responsible only for matters of defence and external affairs
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In just a short period of time this concise information with specific facts will improve your overall understanding of the great countries of the World
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The Flag and Nation of Brunei
We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Flag and Country of Brunei has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flag and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun! If you answer all questions correctly you will earn the right to enter the Vexillologist Hall of Fame!