The national flag of Brunei has the crest of Brunei in the centre, on a yellow field. The field is cut by black and white diagonal stripes, although they are officially called parallelograms.
The yellow field represents the Sultan of Brunei. (In Southeast Asia, yellow is traditionally the colour of royalty, and the royal standards of Malaysia and Thailand, along with the presidential flag of Indonesia, also use a yellow field.)
The crest consists of a crescent (symbolizing Islam) joined with a parasol (symbolizing monarchy), and two upturned hands on both sides (signifying the benevolence of the government). Below the crescent is a ribbon. On the crescent and ribbon are Arabic inscriptions translating as "State of Brunei, Abode of peace" and Brunei's motto, "Always in service with God's guidance"
The black and white parallelograms represent Brunei's chief ministers.
History
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.
The crest was superimposed in 1959 after the promulgation of the Constitution of 29th September, 1959.
The design was retained when the country gained full independence on 1 January 1984 as Brunei Darussalam (State of Brunei, Abode of Peace).
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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
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 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
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