Colours of Penang

Thursday, May 17 2012

State Ensign (1949) WHEN observed closely, one might notice how the tricolours of Penang, blue, yellow and white are unabashedly used across the state, in many ways and many forms. See slideshow below.

Most prominently displayed on the flag, the light blue signifies the sea, which surrounds the island. The white represents the state itself in its serenity. The yellow signifies prosperity and on the central (white) stripe is an areca nut palm or pokok pinang. It is also the tree from which the island takes its name (Penang State Government).

An interesting point to note is that the tricolour was adopted in 1949 as state flag for the British colony when it joined the Federation of Malaya. From 1948 until 1957 the state of Penang remained a British dependence, although included in the Malayan Federation, and the governmental ships flew the blue ensign with the badge, introduced in 1949. Previously the flags of the Straits Settlements were used (Flags of the world).

Former Badge of Penang Municipal Council

Former Badge of Penang Municipal Council

In this article, we also showcase an old flag of Penang and the former Badge of the Penang Municipal Council. In both accounts, the tricolours are a constant.

References