Last modified: 2026-10-31 by 
klaus-michael schneider
Keywords: indonesia | bali | badung | den pasir | pemecutan | kesiman | karang asem | tabanan | klungkung | buleleng |
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2:3, image by Jaume Ollé
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Bali was temporarily subject to Kediri, Singhasari (1284-1293), and to Majapahit (1343). From 1343, it was a vassal kingdom of Majapahit.
When the latter fell after c.1500, Bali was an independent kingdom, which itself disintegrated in the 17th century.
The component parts were annexed piecemeal by the Dutch, although some survived intact until independence.
Klungkung 1686-1908 (to Dutch East Indies); Mengwi c.1690-1891 (partitioned by neighbours), Tabanan c.1400-1906 (to Dutch East Indies);
Karang Asem c.1600-1950 (to Indonesia), Jembrana 17th C.-1882 (to Dutch East Indies); Buleleng c.1660-1882 (to Dutch East Indies);
Gianyar 18th C.-1950 (to Indonesia), Sukawati and Ubud early 18th C.-1950 (to Indonesia), Badung Pamecutan Dynasty 17th C.-1906 (to Dutch East Indies);
Badung Kasiman Dynasty 1813-1906 (to Dutch East Indies); Badung Den Pasar Dynasty c.1780-1906 (to Dutch East Indies); Bangli c.1800-1950 (to Indonesia).
Alternative spellings: Bali, Bally, Little Java / Klein Java.
Sierksma includes a flag of five horizontal stripes, blue/white/red/white/blue, described as
´gevoerd door enkele vaartuigen van Bali´, flown by some Balinese vessels.
Ian Sumner, 22 Apr 2011
Kingdoms in Bali (locally known as Kerajaan (Ke Raja an) meaning Kingdom, the same way as a Sultan rules a Kesultanan (Ke Sultan an)
Note: Flag = Bendera, Coat of Arms = Lambang
Sources: Royal Family websites
Jaume Ollé
Most Balinese flags have a combintion of the colours red, white and black. These colours refer to the Hindu Trinity as follows:
Red stands for the dstroyer Shiva.
White stands for the creator Brahma.
Black (or dark Blue) stands for the preserver or sustainer Vishnu.
I could neither find flag information aboutGianyar nor about Jembrana.
Source: Marcel van Westerhoven: "The Flags of princely States of the Dutch East Indies", in "Proceedings of the ICV25", Rotterdam 2013, p.14/4
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 24 Oct 2026
The flag had nine horizontal stripes red-white-blue-red-white-blue-red-white-blue.
Jaume Ollé
![[Bali Kingdom of Badung-Denpasir flag, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-bg-d.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 18 May 2010
A vertical tricolour of red, white, & black, - no emblem.
![[Bali Kingdom of Badung-Denpasir CoA, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-bg-d).gif)
image by John McMeekin, 18 May 2010
The emblem is placed upon a black square. An eight-pointed star (as the Star of an Order of Knighthood) in gold, a central disc coloured as a flag, black (dexter - or left) white (centre) & red (sinister - or right). Crossed whips, a Maltese cross, a disc with 3 tridents in the North East & West positions, the handle of the top trident is seen below in the South position all in gold. There is also a ribbon attached to this emblem in the base with a motto, above the trident at the top is what looks like a kris (keris) also in gold. Below this emblem is another gold ribbon with a motto. Below all in gold capital letters is "PURI AGUNG DENPASIR" (Kings Palace of Den Pasir: Note Den Pasir is the English way of writing it, the other is local).
![[Bali Kingdom of Badung-Pemecutan flag, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-bg-p.gif)
image by John McMeekin and Rob Raeside, 18 May 2010
Horizontal tricolour of red over white over black is the State Flag or Kingdom Flag.
![[Bali Kingdom of Badung-Pemecutan CoA#1, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-bg-p)1.gif)
![[Bali Kingdom of Badung-Pemecutan CoA#, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-bg-p)2.gif)
images by John McMeekin, 18 May 2010This is out of focus, but a drawing has been made. The motto at the top = "DAMAR CARTI" in red capital letters, (unknown meaning) in the base in white is "PEMECUTAN" (the Royal House). The colours are white (top), black (dexter) & red (sinister). In the centre drawn in gold is a face, crossed whips, a border & a gold kind of cross at the top. The shield has a white border, all within a white square. The words below are not known.
![[Kingdom of Bali flag, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-bg-k.gif)
Horizontal tricolour of red over white over black, with the Coat of Arms over all in the centre.
John McMeekin, 18 May 2010
![[Kingdom of Bali flag, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-bg-k).gif)
image by John McMeekin, 18 May 2010
This is complicated, (see the flag & a rough drawing), the motto is in black capital letters "DWI SARWASANTANA PURI GERENCENG - PEMECUTAN" (To ask the Lord God Almighty´s help and guidance).
The base has yellow feathers, the top has a "crown"
John McMeekin, 18 May 2010
![[Karamgasem Sultanate]](../images/i/id_karangasem.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 3 June 2010, based on a sketch by John McMeekin
image by John McMeekin, 18 May 2010
A red flag with a deep-green border, in the centre is an "eagle" in yellow.
Source: Marcel van Westerhoven: "The Flags of princely States of the Dutch East Indies", in "Proceedings of the ICV25", Rotterdam 2013, p.14/6
John McMeekin, 18 May 2010
![[Kingdom of Tabanan Flag, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-tb.gif)
2:3, image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 24 Oct 2026
The Tabanan Kingdom, one of Bali´s traditional kingdoms maintained sovereignty from the late 14th century until the Puputan Tabanan of 1906.
The standard was adopted in the 17th century around 1650 and remained in use until its annexation into the Dutch East Indies.
The standard is black, on centre charged with an elaborate golden-yellow emblem , consisting of a black circular disc framed by an intricate 8-point golden lotus ornament, known as an astadala.
Centred within the disc is a golden 8-spokes wheel (cakra, characterised by its central hub and spires extending from each spoke.
The royal standard was hoisted on occasion of state ceremonies, religious rituals, and military campaigns.
Source: Paxhistoria webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 24 Oct 2026
![[Kingdom of Tabanan CoA, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-tb).gif)
image by John McMeekin, 18 May 2010
An emblem in gold, legend "PURI SINGGASANA" (top) & "TABANAN" (base) (Singgasana Royal Palace of Tabanan)
John McMeekin, 18 May 2010
![[Kingdom of Klungkung Flag, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-kk.gif)
2:3, image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 24 Oct 2026
It is a 6-stripes flag horizontally parted of red-white-blue-red-white-blue.
Source: Marcel van Westerhoven: "The Flags of princely States of the Dutch East Indies", in "Proceedings of the ICV25", Rotterdam 2013, p.14/6
![[Kingdom of Bangli Flag, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-bl.gif)
2:3, image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 24 Oct 2026
It is a 9-stripes flag horizontally parted of red-white-black-red-white-black-red-white-black. The flag is symbolising local sovereignty after the division of the Kingdom of Gelgel.
It was adopted around 1800 and remained in traditional use until 1950. It was used during state ceremonies and by Balinese military units in regional campaigns.
Source: Paxhistoria webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 24 Oct 2026
![[Kingdom of Buleleng Flag #1, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-bu1.gif) image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 24 Oct 2026 |
![[Kingdom of Buleleng Flag #2, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_bali-bu2.gif) 2:3, image located by Nozomi Kariyasu, 6 Nov 2019 |
It was a horizontal tricolour of red, white and black. The white stripe is broader and on its centre charged with a black logo, having the appearance of a police star with with the sacred Balinese script character Ongkara (Om) inside.
Sometimes the logo is dark brown (see right image above)
It was adopted around 1660 and remained in use until 1849, when the kingdom was incorporated into the Dutch east Indies. It had been hoisted on top of the palace and during fleet manoeuvres.
After 1945 it was also used by a Balinese separatist movement.
Source: Paxhistoria webpage
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 24 Oct 2026
image by António Martins-Tuválkin, 21 June 2024
Five years ago, I found this photo titled "Flag of Bali Used before Indonesian Independence".
Unfortunately I can´t find the original website anymore but I just found the same and sharper photo on Flickr titled
"Local people showing the old flag of Bali, this was Bali´s flag before Indonesian Independence. Sanur, Bali, Indonesia. August 15, 2009"
The flag is different from that generally shown on the net as well as [above].
Jean-Marc Merklin, 10 October 2023
![[Kingdom of Bali flag, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_hyousi910.jpg)
photo by Nozomi Kariyasu, 6 Nov 2019
![[Kingdom of Bali flag, Indonesia]](../images/i/id_hyousi911.jpg)
photo by Nozomi Kariyasu, 6 Nov 2019