MAJAPAHIT EMPIRE - WATAWAT - FLAGS AND SEALS OF THE PEARL OF THE ORIENT SEAS

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MAJAPAHIT EMPIRE

MAJAPAHIT EMPIRE 1293- 1520 CIRCA

Sulu Archipelago was one of the territories under the Majapahit Rule.

Hayam Wuruk, also known as Rajasanagara, ruled Majapahit in 1350–1389. During this period, Majapahit attained its peak with the help of prime minister, Gajah Mada. Under Gajah Mada's command (1313–1364), Majapahit conquered more territories and become the regional power. According to the book of Nagarakertagama pupuh (canto) XIII and XIV mentioned several states in Sumatra, Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara islands, Maluku, New Guinea, and Sulu Archipelago as under Majapahit realm of power. This source mentioned of Majapahit expansions has marked the greatest extent of Majapahit empire.

Following Hayam Wuruk's death in 1389, Majapahit power entered a period of decline with conflict over succession. Hayam Wuruk was succeeded by the crown princess Kusumawardhani, who married a relative, Prince Wikramawardhana. Hayam Wuruk also had a son from his previous marriage, crown prince Wirabhumi, who also claimed the throne. A civil war, called Paregreg, is thought to have occurred from 1405 to 1406, of which Wikramawardhana was victorious and Wirabhumi was caught and decapitated. The civil war weakened Majapahit's grip on its outer vassals and colonies.

The principal religions of the Empire were : Hinduism,Buddhism, Kebatinan, Animism and Islam.

MAJAPAHIT ANCIENT FLAG

The flag had triangular shape and was red and white; Surya Majapahit " The Sun of Majapahit " was placed on the red part of it.

Surya Majapahit " The Sun of Majapahit " was the emblem common found in temples and ruins dated from Majapahit era. This sun disc was the royal emblem of Majapahit empire, and its Coat - of - Arms . The sun disk is stylized with carved ray of light; surrounded by eight Lokapala gods, the eight Hindu gods that guarded eight cardinal points of the universe. There’s other version of Majapahit’s Sun, such as sun disc with sun god Surya riding a celestial horse or chariot, to just a simple sun disc with stylized ray of light.

At present the Coat-of-Arms is kept in the collection of National Museum of Indonesia, Jakarta

THE MAJAPAHIT SUN

ANOTHER VERSION OF THE SUN , THE EMBLEM OF MAJAPAHIT EMPIRE

OTHER SYMBOLS

Some other symbols of the Majapahit Empire were : the snake, the dragon (sometimes represented as a dragon-snake), the phoenix and the garuda.

On 18th century account is reported the xistence of a " Crown of Majapahit”. That crown (lost during the sack of Karta Sura in 1742 by Pangeran Natakusuma I of Madura) consisted of a golden crown of wire-work and two intertwined dragons guardant and was set with pearls and diamonds. *

MAJAPAHIT FLAGS

* image provided by John McMeekin, 13 June 2011

* Thanks to Hubert de Vries for the infos