Historical Flags of Sulu Sultanate

Last modified: 2004-10-23 by rob raeside
Keywords: sulu | mindanao | castle |
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  • Historical flags of Sulu Sultanate
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Images of provincial flags here drawn after Symbols of the State, published by the Philippines Bureau of Local Government.

See also:

• Philippines
• Philippines: index of all pages
• Philippines provincial flags

The Sultanate of Sulu (Philippines) existed from 1789 to 1940.
O. Myszor, 2 January 2002

I found a description of an old Sulu flag. The flag was white with the black sultan's arms (the Mecca doors) in the center. The flag was dated around 1863 and is supposed to have been adopted under the influence of Prussia. Now I have more information about the flag. Herve Calvarin, in the last issue of Franciae Vexilla, quoted a similar flag (dated c.1780) as white with narrow black border and the arms (the Mecca doors) in it. The white is attributed to the Bourbons. After reading the article, I believe now that the white and black were probably the Sultan's colors (like other sultans in the area) without reference to France or Prussia. The current seal has two Spanish fortresses (according to Flag Bulletin) but Calvarin thought that the fortress is in fact the Mecca doors. The French society of Vexillology is searching for a photo of the Mecca doors and I am also researching the topic.
Jaume Ollé, 20 September 1998

With the death of the last Sultan of Sulu the Philippine government has refused to