Flag and coat of arms of Pahang

The flag and the coat of arms of Pahang are state symbols of Pahang, Malaysia. While adopting simpler design on its flag and arms, the state symbols remain representative towards its administration, monarchy, and economy. In addition, its arms includes elements related to local superstitions.

Flag

Design

The flag of Pahang. Flag ratio 1:2.

The flag of Pahang consists of a simple horizontal bicolour flag with equally proportionate bands of white on the upper half and black on the lower half.^[1] The black represents the official colour of the bendahara, which was once the administrator of the state, while the white represents the Sultan of Pahang; the white over the black symbolises Pahang as a sovereign state with a royal monarch, as well as its presence of special privileges, laws, customs and codes of conduct, and specific rights of the Sultan.^[2]

Variants

As a formerly independent state under the Federated Malay States, Pahang adopted a naval jack or ensign for use on government ships, consisting of a quartered saltire that bore the colours of the state flag: Black on the leftmost and rightmost quarters, and white on the upper and lower quarters.^[1] The merger of the state into the Federation of Malaya in 1948 and the adoption of a unified maritime flag rendered the Pahang jack obsolete.

As a member of the Federated Malay States, Pahang was also assigned a British Resident, and with it, a flag for the Resident that was essentially the state flag forked at the fly.^[1] The flag is similarly obsolete after the abolishment of British Residents in the state in 1942 following the Japanese occupation.

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  Standard of the Sultan

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  British Resident flag of Pahang

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  Pahang jack

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  Flag of Pahang between 1853 and 1887

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  Flag of Pahang between 1887 and adoption of the current flag in 1903

Coat of arms

The coat of arms Pahang.

The Sultan of Pahang coat of arms.

Pahang's coat of arms (Malay: Jata Pahang) consists of four elements: The spear head, Jawi scriptures between the spear head, dual tusks, and a motto at the bottom. Another arms for the Sultan is entirely coloured in gold.

Details of the arms' elements are as followed:

Spear head

The spear head is a central element of the arms, shaped similarly as a coffee leaf.^[2] Being golden, the dagger head is also intended to represent the weapon's hardiness in battle, as a white dagger was thought to be capable of piercing any armour.^[2]

Jawi scriptures between the spear head

Jawi scripts are written between the upper half of the spear head, divided into two short phrases: "Ya alif lam. Tho ya qaf." (ﻱﺍﻝ ﻁﻱﻕ). Ya alif lam, or Ya La Tif, is translated as "The gentle one", reflecting on the lack of need by the rulers of Pahang to resort to violence to instil peace in the state.^[2] The phrase is also believed to be a powerful spell against evil magic.^[2]

Tusks

A pair of white tusks criss-cross over and uplift the spear head, its shaper end pointing upwards. The tusks represent the abundance of elephants (specifically, Asian Elephants) in the state and its importance in Pahang's economy in the distance past through its trade of elephant tusks.^[2] The tusks, like the spear head, are coloured in white.

Motto

The white motto is located at the bottom of the arms in the form of a banner that includes the phrase "Negeri Pahang" (Pahang State) written in both Malay and Jawi script.

References

1. Various authors (14 February 2007). "Pahang (Malaysia)". Flags of the World. Archived from the original on 2 February 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2008.
2. Administrator of website (26 December 2006). "Bendera dan lambang negeri". Portal Rasmi Negeri Pahang Darul Makmur (Official Portal of the state of Pahang). Retrieved 2 April 2010. (Malay)