Flag of BruneiNegara Brunei Darussalam

What the flag looks like

The flag of Brunei consists of a yellow field with two parallel diagonal stripes running from the lower hoist to the upper fly — the upper stripe is white and the lower is black. The red national crest (the 'Duli Yang Maha Mulia' emblem) is centered on the flag, overlaying the stripes. The proportion is 1:2. It was adopted on 29 September 1959, when Brunei became a self-governing state within the British Empire, and was retained when Brunei gained full independence on 1 January 1984.

Colors and meaning

Yellow represents the Sultan of Brunei and the royal family — yellow is the traditional royal color of the Malay sultanates. The white and black diagonal stripes represent the two chief ministers (the Pengiran Bendahara and the Pengiran Pemancha) who were the co-regents of Brunei in the early 20th century. The red national crest represents the Sultan's authority and Brunei's national identity.

Yellow field

Represents the Sultan of Brunei and the royal family. Yellow is the traditional color of Malay royalty and has been used by the Brunei sultanate since the 14th century. The specific shade of yellow used is a bright golden-yellow, reflecting the country's royal heritage.

White and black diagonal stripes

Represent the two chief ministers — the Pengiran Bendahara (Prime Minister) and the Pengiran Pemancha (Minister of Home Affairs) — who served as joint regents of Brunei during the minority of Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin in the 1920s and 1930s. The white stripe represents the Pengiran Bendahara and the black stripe the Pengiran Pemancha.

Red national crest

The red national crest is the central emblem of the flag and represents the Sultan's authority. It consists of a crescent (the symbol of Islam), a hand (representing the power of the Sultan to protect his people), a pair of wings (representing the four cardinal virtues — justice, peace, prosperity and tranquility), and a central mast with the flag of Brunei. Below the crescent is a ribbon with the national motto 'Always in service with God's guidance'.

History and adoption

Brunei was a British protectorate from 1888 until 1984, though it retained its own monarchy throughout. The flag was adopted on 29 September 1959, when Brunei became a self-governing state within the British Empire under the 1959 constitution, which restored the Sultan's authority over internal affairs. The design combined the traditional yellow of the Brunei royal family with the black-and-white stripes of the two regents and the red national crest. The flag was retained when Brunei became fully independent on 1 January 1984 and has remained unchanged since.

Key facts

Adopted

29 September 1959

Proportion

1:2

Designer

Based on the traditional royal yellow flag of Brunei

Capital

Bandar Seri Begawan

Country code

BN

Similar flags

None

Historical and related flags

Brunei has used several flags across its sultanate and British protectorate periods.

• Brunei Sultanate (14th century–1906): Plain yellow flag, sometimes with additional royal elements.
• British protectorate (1888–1959): British Union Jack used alongside the royal yellow flag.
• First modern flag (1906–1959): Yellow field with black-and-white diagonal stripes.
• Current flag (1959–present): Yellow field with stripes and red national crest.
• Sultan's standard: Uses the royal coat of arms on a yellow field.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Brunei look like?

The flag of Brunei is a yellow field with two diagonal stripes — white on top and black below — running from the hoist to the fly, and the red national crest in the center. The proportion is 1:2.

When was the flag of Brunei adopted?

The current flag of Brunei was officially adopted on 29 September 1959.

What do the colors mean?

Yellow represents the Sultan of Brunei and the royal family — yellow is the traditional royal color of the Malay sultanates. The white and black diagonal stripes represent the two chief ministers (the Pengiran Bendahara and the Pengiran Pemancha) who were the co-regents of Brunei in the early 20th century. The red national crest represents the Sultan's authority and Brunei's national identity.

Which flags look similar to the Brunei flag?

No other national flag closely resembles Brunei's. The combination of a yellow field with black-and-white diagonal stripes and a red crest is unique.