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,[3] The sword represents the sovereignty of Aceh, but also a symbol of the Acehnese's firmness, feared by their opponents.[4]
History
A war flag with Arabic writings, used in the Aceh War
Before the creation of Alam Peudeueng, the Aceh Sultanate used the Ottoman flag as its own.[4] Aceh then took inspiration from the Ottomans and designed several flags of their own, using the 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.
A page from "Tarikh Aceh dan Nusantara", showing the Alam Atjeh poem with a rendition of the Alam Peudeueng flag
Alam Peudeueng had many variations throughout its history of usage due to the lack of standardisation of the construction and form of the flag. During its early days, variations of the flag often doesn'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 starts 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.[6]
The modern depiction of Alam Peudeueng was first illustrated in 1961 with a poem alongside it:[7]
Parts of Acehnese society show support of using Alam Peudeueng as the official flag of Aceh,[8] as they deem it to better represent Acehnese culture, history, and consider it as the original symbol of Aceh and its people.[9]
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 Alam Peudeueng to celebrate the Islamic New Year of 1441 in the Darul Ihsan palace, located in Blang Oi Village, Banda Aceh,[10] alongside an edict by Tuanku Muhammad ZN, saying that the Alam Peudeueng 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.[10] Afterwards, the flag raising ceremony became an occasional tradition on Islamic New Years.[11][12] During an Islamic New Year celebration in 2024, a flag raising ceremony of the Alam Peudeueng 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.[13]
In 2023, an Islamic preacher and representative of Aceh in the Regional Representative Council in 2019, Muhammad Fadhil Rahmi, wore a songkok with the Alam Peudeueng embroided onto the sides, which sparked local public interest and requests for the Alam Peudeueng songkok. He also gifted one to Abdul Somad at his request, which he still wore occasionally to this day.[14]
Other flags
State and civil flags
Eight-starred flag, commonly used as a state flag before the Alam Peudeueng
Zulfiqar and moon flag (Alam Zulfiqar), used as a civil ensign of the Aceh Sultanate (1877)[15]
Alternative civil ensign of the Aceh Sultanate (1877)[15]
Alternative civil ensign of the Aceh Sultanate (1877)[15]
Alternative civil ensign of the Aceh Sultanate (1877)[15]
War flags
Plain sword and moon flag (1840), used as a war flag, sometimes seen with Arabic calligraphy enscribed within
Zainuddin, H.M. (1961). Tarich Atjeh dan Nusantara[the History of Aceh and Nusantara] (in Indonesian). Medan: Pustaka Iskandar Muda.
Finkel, Caroline (2005). Osman's Dream: The History of the Ottoman Empire 1300-1923. England: John Murray Publishers. ISBN0-465-02396-7.
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