National Museum trip: Bunga Mas or Gold Flower

This 'gold flower' was a special gift sent triennially by the Sultans on the Northern Malaya States of Kedah, Kelantan, Trengganu and Pattani to the powerful King of Siam. This practice began in the 14th century by the Sultan of Kedah to the King of Siam as a symbol of friendship.

This tradition was followed by other sultans. Some scholars interpreted it as a show of allegiance to Siam.


This unit was sent to Siam in a colorful ceremony. A special boat was used to ferry the bunga mas accompanied by four spears with gilded stones, a spitton, a tobacco box, a bouquet of betel leaves, and two gold rings.

The King of Siam reciprocated with gifts of simolar value. The practice of sending the Bunga Mas was discontinued by the end of the 19th century with the establishment of the British rule in most of the northern Malay states.