Brunei's Flag: Motto And Meaning Explained

The Brunei flag features the nation's crest and a pair of black and white diagonal stripes on a yellow field. The motto on the Brunei flag is in Arabic: الدائمون المحسنون بالهدى (Ad-dāʾimūna al-muḥsinūna bi-l-hudā), which translates to Always render service with God's guidance. The flag also features the country's name in Jawi: بروني دارالسلام (Brunei Darussalam), meaning Brunei, the Abode of Peace.

The flag's motto in Arabic: الدائمون المحسنون بالهدى

The Brunei flag features the nation's crest and a pair of black and white diagonal stripes on a yellow field. The yellow background of the flag represents royalty and symbolises the leader of Brunei, the Sultan. The black and white stripes represent the two chief ministers of Brunei, who advise the Sultan and serve as regents when he is unable to rule.

The red emblem in the middle, or the national crest, consists of five components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal umbrella, the wings of four feathers, two upraised hands, and the crescent moon. The swallow-tailed flag and the parasol represent the sultanate's monarchy; the wings of four feathers symbolise justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace. The crescent moon denotes Islam, the state religion of Brunei. The two upraised hands signify the government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the citizens and to protect the people.

The Brunei flag features an Arabic motto on the crescent, which reads: الدائمون المحسنون بالهدى; Ad-dāʾimūna al-muḥsinūna bi-l-hudā. This translates to "Always render service with God's guidance". The motto is accompanied by a ribbon below the crescent, which bears the inscription "Brunei Darussalam" ("Brunei, the Abode of Peace").

The flag was officially adopted on 29 September 1959, when the country was a British protectorate. It was retained when Brunei gained independence on 1 January 1984, with only minor artistic modifications.

The motto's Malay translation: Sentiasa membuat kebajikan dengan petunjuk Allah

The Brunei flag is a powerful symbol of the nation and its sultan, with a design that has remained stable even as the country gained independence from the British Empire. The national motto, "Always render service with God's guidance", is a key element of this flag and is inscribed in Malay as "Sentiasa membuat kebajikan dengan petunjuk Allah". This motto embodies the ideals of service and divine guidance that are central to the nation's identity and governance.

The Malay translation of the motto captures the essence of Brunei's values and beliefs. "Sentiasa membuat kebajikan dengan petunjuk Allah" can be broken down into several parts to understand its meaning. "Sentiasa" conveys the idea of continuity and permanence, indicating that the commitment to service is an enduring principle. "Membuat kebajikan" translates to "doing good" or "rendering service", emphasising the notion of selflessly serving others. "Dengan petunjuk" means "with guidance", acknowledging the importance of divine guidance in all endeavours. Finally, "Allah" refers to the divine being, the God of Islam, who is revered and worshipped by the country's majority-Muslim population.

Together, the Malay translation of the motto captures the sentiment of providing service to others with the guidance and help of God. This motto reflects the values and principles that guide the nation's leadership and governance. It serves as a reminder to those in power of their duty to rule with benevolence and wisdom, always seeking to promote the welfare and well-being of their citizens. The inclusion of "Allah" specifically highlights the influence of Islamic beliefs in the country's values and governance.

The motto "Sentiasa membuat kebajikan dengan petunjuk Allah" is a testament to Brunei's commitment to service and the importance of divine guidance in their society. It is a powerful statement that unifies the nation and serves as a constant reminder of their core values. This motto, proudly displayed on their flag, inspires and guides the people of Brunei in their pursuit of peace and prosperity.

The motto's English translation: Always render service with God's guidance

The national motto of Brunei, "الدائمون المحسنون بالهدى" or "Ad-dāʾimūna al-muḥsinūna bi-l-hudā", is translated from Arabic as "Always render service with God's guidance". This motto is featured on the Brunei flag, which was officially adopted on 29 September 1959, when the country was a British protectorate. The flag continued to be used when Brunei gained independence on 1 January 1984, becoming Brunei Darussalam, or "Brunei, the Abode of Peace".

The flag of Brunei has a rectangular shape and features a yellow background with two diagonal bands of white and black. The national crest, in red, is superimposed in the centre of the flag. The crest includes a crescent, which symbolises Islam, and a parasol, which represents monarchy. The upturned hands on either side of the crest indicate the government's duty to preserve and promote the welfare of its citizens and to protect the people. The yellow Arabic script of the motto is found on the crescent, with a banner below it inscribed with the name of the country in Jawi: "بروني دارالسلام" or "Brunei Darussalam".

The colour yellow is used to represent royalty and symbolises the Sultanate. The white and black bands denote Brunei's chief ministers, who advise the Sultan and serve as regents when he is unable to rule. The width-to-length ratio of the flag is 1:2.

The national motto of Brunei encapsulates the country's commitment to serving its people and seeking divine guidance in governance. The inclusion of this motto on the flag, along with other symbolic elements, reflects the values and principles that guide the nation.

The motto "Always render service with God's guidance" embodies the idea that those in power should strive to act in the best interests of their citizens and seek divine assistance in their endeavours. It encourages leaders to approach their responsibilities with humility and a sense of service. This phrase also highlights the importance of religious faith in the country's culture and governance.

In conclusion, the English translation of the motto on the Brunei flag, "Always render service with God's guidance", conveys a message of dedication to serving the nation's citizens with the guidance and support of the divine. The motto, along with the other symbolic elements on the flag, represents the values and principles that are important to the people of Brunei.

The flag's design: a yellow field with black and white stripes and a red crest

The flag of Brunei has a complex design that symbolises the country's history, monarchy, and values. The flag features a yellow field with black and white stripes and a red crest, incorporating the country's emblem.

The yellow field represents the Sultan of Brunei, with yellow being the traditional colour of royalty in Southeast Asia. The black and white stripes are diagonal and of different widths, with the white stripe being roughly 12% wider than the black one. These stripes symbolise Brunei's chief ministers, the Pengiran Bendahara (First Minister) and the Pengiran Pemancha (Second Minister). When the Sultan is unable to rule, these ministers act as regents.

The red crest, added to the flag in 1959, features the national emblem of Brunei. It consists of five components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal parasol or ceremonial umbrella, wings, hands, and a crescent. The crescent, facing upwards, symbolises Islam, the state religion of Brunei. The parasol represents monarchy, and the wings symbolise the protection of justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace. The upturned hands on either side of the crest signify the government's duty to preserve and promote the welfare of its citizens and to protect the people.

Inscribed on the crescent of the crest is the national motto of Brunei in Arabic: "الدائمون المحسنون بالهدى" or "Ad-dāʾimūna al-muḥsinūna bi-l-hudā", which translates to "Always render service with God's guidance". Below the crescent, a banner features the name of the country in Jawi: "بروني دارالسلام" or "Brunei Darussalam", meaning 'Brunei, the Abode of Peace'.

The flag's history: adopted in 1959, retained through independence in 1984

The flag of Brunei has a rich history that dates back to the country's transformation into a British protectorate in the early 20th century. The flag, which was officially adopted in 1959, has undergone several modifications but remains a powerful symbol of the nation and its sultan.

In 1906, Brunei adopted a new flag to reflect its status as a British protectorate. This flag featured a yellow background, also known as a field, with two diagonal stripes, one black and one white. The yellow field represented royalty and symbolised the sultan of Brunei. The black and white stripes denoted the country's chief ministers, who served as advisors to the sultan and acted as regents in his absence.

On September 29, 1959, Brunei took a significant step by promulgating its constitution and adding a crucial element to its flag—the national crest. This crest, placed at the centre of the flag, embodies the country's emblem and symbolises various aspects of Brunei's identity. It consists of five components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal parasol or ceremonial umbrella, wings, upraised hands, and a crescent. The crescent, bearing the national motto, symbolises Islam, the state religion. The upturned hands signify the government's duty to protect and promote the welfare of its citizens. The banner below the crescent displays the country's name: "Brunei Darussalam," meaning "Brunei, the Abode of Peace."

The flag's design, with its added crest, was retained when Brunei gained its full independence on January 1, 1984, as Brunei Darussalam. This decision to keep the flag's design consistent demonstrates the country's commitment to the symbols and values it represents. The flag of Brunei stands as a testament to the nation's history, culture, and the principles that guide it.

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