Let’s Back to Red and White!

Let’s Back to Red and White!

“Fly my flag.

The holy symbol, strong and brave.

Throughout the coasts of Indonesia.

You are still adored by the people …. “

Fragment (translation) of song lyrics was composed by Madam Soed above express the pride of Indonesian people on their flag. As it is celebrated every year as the independence day.  August 17 has just passed, but the Indonesians around the world still celebrate. Massive or modest, echoes of the freedom spirit always surge in the bosom of each child of the nation.

There are many ways to commemorate and interpret independence day. This year at the initiative of the Seventh President, Ir. Joko Widodo – initiate a new tradition before the flag ceremony performed, followed by the sound of mosque drums, church bells, sirens and cannon resonated throughout the country marks anniversary of proclamation of Indonesian independence (known as Detik-detik Proklamasi). At 10 am, it is exactly the same time as 71 years ago when the First President, Ir. Sukarno declared the proclamation. As a sign of Indonesia’s independence from any occupations. FREEDOM!

Since then, with proud – the symbols of state that express the ideals and spirit of the Indonesian to win independence were shown to the world. The Red and White (flag) as one of the symbols, fluttering on the tops of the highest mountains of Indonesia such as Bromo, villages, towns, government and private buildings, schools, houses of worship, malls, large and small stores, traditional markets, fancy homes, densely populated villages, four-wheeled vehicles and two , boats, food carts, roads and alleys, resorts, ports, coasts to the exotic seabed in Papua (Raja Ampat). Even at the Embassy offices were scattered around the world, both in the friendly weather as well as sting weather, hot and cold. High schools compete to send their best sons and daughters to join the PASKIBRA at the presidential palace, or at least they become a member of the flag raisers at their schools.

From some events above show many Indonesians were moved to raise the flag on the ceremony which is so sacred, solemn and full of struggles. For what? Why did they do such an epic effort to raise it?

Flag of Indonesia has a philosophical meaning. Red means courage, white means purity. Red symbolizes the human body, while white symbolizes the human soul. Both complement each other and enhance the human body and soul to build Indonesia.

Let’s not stop at the philosophical meaning, then how did the founders of this country decide red and white colors as the flag of Indonesia? What was inspiring them? Let’s go back to the era of kingdoms in Nusantara (Indonesian archipelago). The color of red-white flag was taken from the color of the state flag or banner of Majapahit Empire based in East Java in the 13th century. But there is an opinion that the breeding of the red and white roots can be traced originally from Austronesian peoples mythology about Mother Earth and Father Sky; both are symbolized by the color red (ground) and white (the sky). Therefore, the red and white colors often appear in the emblems of the Austronesian from Tahiti, Indonesia to Madagascar.

Red and white then were used to symbolize the duality of nature that each pair. The earliest records that refer to the use of red and white flags can be found in Pararaton; According to this source, mentioned Jayakatwang army from Gelang-gelang were waving white and red flag while they were attacking Singhasari.

It means before the Majapahit period red and white colors have been used as a royal banner also, probably since the kingdom of Kediri. Making red-white flag was possible in the textile dyeing techniques in ancient Indonesia. The white color is the natural color cotton of kapok or cotton woven into a piece of fabric, while a natural red dye is obtained from the leaves of an oak tree, flower of starfruit (Averrhoa bilimbi) or the rind of the Mangosteen.

Actually, not only the kingdom of Majapahit who wears red and white flag as a symbol of greatness. Before Majapahit, Kediri kingdom has been wearing red and white pennants. In addition, the battle flag of Singamangaraja IX from Batak land was wearing a red and white as the color of the flag, white twin swords display on bright red and white base. The red and white colors are war flag of SISINGAMANGARAJA XII.

Two twin swords symbolize piso gaja dompak, a heritage of kings Singamangaraja I-XII. When there was war in Aceh, Aceh warriors have used the flag war in red and white banners, at the back there are pictures of sword, moon, sun and stars and some verses of the Quran.

At the time of the Bugis kingdom in Bone, South Sulawesi before Arung Palakka, red and white flag, is a symbol of power and greatness of the Bone kingdom. Bone flag was known as Woromporang. Banner of Badung kingdom which centered in Puri Pamecutan also contains red and white, their banner in red, white and black may also derive from the color of Majapahit.

During the war in Java (1825-1830 AD) Pangeran Diponegoro wore the banner of red and white in the struggle against the Dutch. Then, the colors were revived by the students and then nationalists in the early 20th century as an expression of nationalism against the Netherlands. The flag is used for the first time in Java in 1928. Under colonial rule, the flag was banned from use. These flags serve as the official national flag of Indonesia on August 17, 1945, when independence was declared and officially used since that time.

Sang Saka Merah Putih is an honor nickname of the flag of the Indonesian state. At first, this designation is aimed at the flag, the flag was flown on August 17, 1945 on Road East Pegangsaan 56, Jakarta, when the Proclamation implemented. But later in common usage, Sang Saka Merah Putih addressed to each flag being hoisted in every flag ceremony.

Heritage flag was sewn by the late former First Lady Fatmawati in 1944. The fabric is made from Japanese cotton, obtained from a Japanese. One also mentioned the flag material is wool from London. At that time, this material actually is used specifically to make the flags of countries in the world because it is known for its durability. It has 276 cm long and 200 cm wide. From 1946 until 1968, the flag was only flown at each anniversary of RI independence.

Since 1969, the flag was never flown again and kept at the State Palace until now. That flag was torn in two ends.  the end of white is torn by 12 X 42 cm while red end is torn 15 x 47 cm. Then there are perforated, perforated small because the fungus and insect bites, stained brown, black and white. Because too much folded, the folds were also torn and the colors around the pleats were faded.

After 1969, which is hoisted and flown on the anniversary of independence is a duplicate flag made of silk. Heritage flag is also presented but he only ‘witness’ of the storage box.

Thus the Indonesian people to make sense of independence. ‘ Let’s Back to Red and White’ means looking back the history to contemplate and comprehend, from now and forever we can more appreciate the red-white flag. It is an honor for Indonesia as a free nation. The flag is not just a flag, people had to fight till the last blood drop to raise it as a flag of the Republic Indonesia.

“… Who dares bring you down.

Together, your people will defend.

The Red-White, courageous

Fly forever! …. “

This article is presented by guruexpat.com