Damon Mcknight
The crest of Brunei, also known as the National Arms of Brunei, features a crescent moon facing upwards, joined with a parasol and hands on the sides. This crest is placed on a yellow flag with black and white stripes. The crescent moon is a symbol of Islam, the country's state religion, while the parasol and hands represent monarchy and the government's duty to protect its citizens, respectively. The design of the crest is believed to be inspired by an older crest from the 18th century, which was featured on the armour of Sultan Husin Kamaluddin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | The crest is shaped like an anchor |
| Design | The crest consists of a crescent facing upwards, joined with a parasol, with hands on the sides |
| Colour | Red |
| Motto | The national motto of Brunei, "Always render service with God's guidance", is inscribed on the crest in Arabic script |
| Flag | The crest is superimposed on the flag of Brunei |
| Date of Adoption | The crest was added to the flag of Brunei in 1959 |
What You'll Learn
The crest's crescent shape and its Islamic significance
The crescent shape of the crest of Brunei is a symbol of Islam, the national religion of the country. The crescent is also inscribed with the national motto of Brunei in Arabic: "Ad-dāʾimūna al-muḥsinūna bi-l-hudā", which translates to "Always render service with God's guidance".
The crescent is a common symbol in Islam, and its use in the Brunei crest signifies the country's Islamic heritage and identity. It is often seen as a representation of faith and spiritual growth, with the upward-facing crescent in the crest symbolizing progress and development. The crescent is also accompanied by other symbols in the crest, including a parasol and hands on the sides, which respectively symbolize monarchy and the benevolence of the government.
The crest of Brunei, with its crescent shape and Islamic motto, serves as an important visual representation of the country's values and beliefs. It reflects the influence of Islam on the nation's culture, society, and governance. The inclusion of the crescent shape in the crest highlights the significance of Islam in shaping the country's history and present-day life.
The crescent shape in the crest of Brunei is a powerful symbol of the country's Islamic faith and heritage. It serves as a reminder of the role of Islam in shaping the nation's identity and values. The inclusion of the crescent, along with the national motto, showcases the country's commitment to its religious beliefs and their integration into various aspects of national life, from governance to everyday interactions.
The crest's crescent shape holds deep significance for the people of Brunei, uniting them under a common religious identity. It serves as a visual reminder of the nation's Islamic roots and the principles that guide their society. The crescent, along with the other symbols in the crest, creates a sense of unity and shared purpose among the citizens of Brunei.
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The parasol as a symbol of monarchy
The crest of Brunei features a crescent moon, which is a symbol of Islam, the country's state religion. The crest also includes a parasol, which symbolises monarchy and the Sultan's authority.
The parasol, or ceremonial umbrella, is a symbol of royalty and the sovereignty of the Sultanate. It signifies the continuous protection and leadership of the Bruneian people by the monarchy. The parasol is one of the five main components of the National Coat of Arms of Brunei, along with the swallow-tailed flag, the wings, the hands, and the crescent moon. The swallowtail flag and the parasol together represent the sultanate's monarchy.
The parasol has been a part of the country's national symbol since its adoption in 1940. It is also featured on the flag of Brunei, which was officially adopted on 29 September 1959 when the country was a British protectorate. The flag was retained when Brunei gained independence on 1 January 1984. The yellow field of the flag represents the Sultan of Brunei, with yellow being the colour of royalty in Southeast Asia.
The parasol has undergone modifications over the years, initially featuring a crown instead to reflect the monarchy's power. However, as Brunei transitioned to a constitutional monarchy, the crown was replaced with a parasol to emphasise the Sultan's role as a protector and leader rather than a ruler. The parasol is also a part of the Sultan's personal emblem, where it is depicted in red on a yellow standard.
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The hands as a symbol of the government's benevolence
The crest of Brunei features two hands on either side, symbolising the government's benevolence and duty to protect its citizens. This is reflected in the country's welfare state, which provides free or subsidised housing, healthcare, and education. The hands also signify the government's pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of its people.
The hands are an integral part of the crest, which was added to the flag in 1959 when Brunei adopted a constitution. The crest consists of an upward-facing crescent joined with a parasol, symbolising Islam and monarchy, respectively. The national motto, "Always render service with God's guidance", is inscribed on the crescent in Arabic script, reflecting the country's Islamic values.
The flag's yellow field represents the Sultan of Brunei, with yellow being the traditional colour of royalty in Southeast Asia. The black and white stripes represent Brunei's chief ministers, who serve as advisors to the Sultan and act as regents in his absence.
Overall, the crest of Brunei, including the hands, symbolises the country's commitment to the welfare and protection of its citizens, with the hands being a powerful visual representation of the government's benevolence.
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The yellow field representing the Sultan
The flag of Brunei features a yellow field, which represents the Sultan of Brunei. In Southeast Asia, yellow is the traditional colour of royalty, and it is used in the royal standards of Malaysia and Thailand, the flag of Sarawak, and the presidential flag of Indonesia. The standard of His Majesty the Sultan is also yellow, incorporating his personal emblem at the centre.
The yellow field in the Brunei flag is cut by black and white diagonal stripes. These stripes represent Brunei's chief ministers, who were once joint-regents and then, after the Sultan came of the age, senior advisors. The white stripe symbolises the Pengiran Bendahara (First Minister) and the black stripe the Pengiran Pemancha (Second Minister, governing foreign affairs). The white stripe is roughly 12% wider than the black one.
The yellow field in the Brunei flag also features the National Crest in red at its centre. The crest consists of a crescent facing upwards, joined with a parasol, with hands on the sides. The crescent symbolises Islam, the parasol symbolises monarchy, and the hands at the side symbolise the benevolence of the government.
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The black and white stripes representing Brunei's chief ministers
The black and white stripes on the flag of Brunei represent the country's chief ministers. The wider white stripe symbolises the Pengiran Bendahara (First Minister), and the thinner black stripe represents the Pengiran Pemancha (Second Minister, governing foreign affairs).
The stripes were first introduced in 1906 when Brunei became a British protectorate. The flag at this time featured a yellow background with the two diagonal black and white stripes, but it did not include the nation's crest. The crest was added in 1959, and the design was retained when the country gained full independence on 1 January 1984.
The chief ministers were once joint-regents and, after the sultan came of age, they acted as senior advisors. The First Minister was the Pengiran Bendahara, and the Second Minister was the Pengiran Pemancha, who governed foreign affairs. The ministers advised the Sultan and served as regents when he was unable to rule.
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Frequently asked questions
The crest of Brunei does not look like an anchor. The national symbol of Brunei, adopted in 1940, combines the flag, the royal umbrella, the wing, the hands, and a crescent.
The crescent in the national symbol of Brunei denotes Islam, the country's national religion. The two hands symbolise the government's duty to protect the people and the wings represent the protection of justice and peace.
Yellow is the colour of royalty and symbolises the Sultanate. The white and black bands represent the two chief ministers of Brunei, who advise the Sultan and serve as regents when he is unable to rule.
The national motto of Brunei is "Always Render Service with God's Guidance".
The Brunei flag was officially adopted on 29 September 1959, when the country was a British protectorate. The flag features a yellow background with two diagonal bands of white and black. The national crest was added to the flag in 1959.
