Flags of the Aceh Sultanate

The Alam Peudeueng Mirah (Jawoe: ; ) or Alam Peudeueng (Jawoe: ; ) consists of a white crescent and star and a sword below, pointed to the right, on a red field. The was used by the Aceh Sultanate as early as the 16th century, until its annexation into the Dutch East Indies after the Aceh War.

Nowadays, the is often used to represent the Acehnese people as an alternative to the Moon Star flag used by the Free Aceh Movement, with the latter banner being outlawed as a symbol tied to separatism.

Symbolism The crescent and star symbolises Islam, which was taken from the flag of the Ottoman Empire, Aceh favoured the Ottoman Empire due to its assistance against Portuguese expansionism and later on being a key ally to the sultanate, even requesting protection under the Ottomans, The sword represents the sovereignty of Aceh, but also a symbol of the Acehnese's firmness, feared by their opponents.

History

Before the creation of , the Aceh Sultanate used the Ottoman flag as its own, the flag that was often used by Aceh was the eight-starred variant. Aceh then designed several flags of their own inspired by the Ottoman flag's crescent and star symbol, which later became a symbol of Aceh and its Islamic culture. Due to its influence across the archipelago, the crescent and star symbol was later adopted by several other Islamic kingdoms in Southeast Asia, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia.

had many variations throughout its history of usage due to the lack of standardisation of the construction and form of the flag. Many variations of the flag often don't include the crescent and star in its flag, and the type of sword differs. Common elements used in the flag and its variants are swords (saber or Zulfiqar, a double-edged sword), crescent and star, the sun, the moon, or stars represented in small circles. Arabic writings can also be seen written on the flags, especially war flags, as they contain prayers of safety and back luck to their enemies, akin to an amulet.

The modern depiction of was first illustrated in 1961 with a poem alongside it: Alam Atjeh (Original Spelling) Di Atjeh na Alam peudeueng Tjap sikureueng lam djaroe radja Phon di Atjeh troih u Pahang Tan soe teuntang Iskandar Muda

Bangsa Peutugèh angkatan meugah Abèh geupinah di Atjeh raja U Melaka keudèh di pioh Keunan pih troih geupitjrok teuma

Iskandar Sani duk geugantoe Lakoe putroe Tadjul mulia, Kota Melaka teuma geu engkhoe Peutugèh diwoe keudèh u GuaEnglish Translation In Aceh, there's the sword standard With the seal of nine at the king's hand Starting from Aceh all the way to Pahang No one dares to question Iskandar Muda

The Portuguese with their mighty forces Cleared away from Greater Aceh They then stopped to rest in Malacca In there too they were quelled

Iskandar Sani sat in succession The husband of princess Tajul Mulia The city of Malacca he then razed And so the Portuguese fled to Goa

Modern usage

Parts of Acehnese society show support of using as the official flag of Aceh, as they deem it to better represent Acehnese culture, history, and consider it as the original symbol of Aceh and its people.

On 1 September 2019, a community who claims to be the extended family of the mandate bearers of the Aceh Sultanate held a flag raising ceremony of the Indonesian flag and the to celebrate the Islamic New Year of 1441 in the Darul Ihsan palace, located in Blang Oi Village, Banda Aceh, alongside an edict by Tuanku Muhammad ZN, saying that the is not just a flag, but a symbol of the struggle to spread Islamic dawah in Aceh and the Malay world, as well as to restore the spirit of unification and harmony amongst the people of Aceh. Afterwards, the flag raising ceremony became an occasional tradition on Islamic New Years. During an Islamic New Year celebration in 2024, a flag raising ceremony of the was held in Pidie. Led by Teungku Saiful, the flag ceremony was held as an invitation for all Muslims to bring peace and cease conflict with each other.

In 2023, an Islamic preacher and representative of Aceh in the Regional Representative Council in 2019, Muhammad Fadhil Rahmi, wore a songkok with the embroided onto the sides, which sparked local public interest and requests for the songkok. He also gifted one to Abdul Somad at his request, which he still wore occasionally to this day.

Other flags

State and civil flags

War flags

Naval ensign

Royal standards

Other Aceh Sultanate flags

Derived and similar flags

Flags of the Aceh Sultanate

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