By H.E. Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas Hoffmann (USN) GCPS
Master of Protocol
Like many heraldic jurisdictions, the Sultanate of Sulu maintains a system of additiaments to heraldically display titles of nobility and other distinctions conferred by HM the Sultan. In early 2020, the following system of additiaments was approved by His Majesty, and is used by his heralds when illustrating arms belonging to the Royal Family, Sulu nobility, and others who have been decorated by the Sultanate. It is hoped that those holding a Sulu distinction bear these additiaments with pride when having their arms depicted or registered. Sulu additiaments are broadly divided into four categories, as follows:
ADDITIAMENTS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY OF SULU
All members of the Royal Family of Sulu bear crowns or coronets of rank (upon a cap Vert) as described below. In addition to the listed crowns, members of the Royal Family of Sulu are entitled to supporters, and to display their arms upon a pavilion Vert doubled Argent and bordered Argent and Azure (with three-tongued flames Or).
In addition, members of the Royal Family are entitled to display a decorated black Malay cap (songkok) above their arms. Of note, this headdress may actually be worn by the holder of the given title, and is often worn by HM the Sultan and his relatives.
H.M. the Sultan
A royal crown Or consisting of a jeweled circlet surmounted by alternating leaves and star-and-crescent devices. The crown has five visible pearled arches, and is topped with a star-and-crescent.
A black songkok cap embroidered gold with two rows of pearls and a star-and-crescent badge upon a green cockade is borne above the shield.
The full heraldic achievement of H.M. the Sultan, including pavilion, crown, songkok cap, and supporters, along with the Collar of the Order of the Pearl (which HM holds ex officio as Grand Sayyid). (Aleksander Bachko, www.czipm.org)
H.R.H. the Raja Muda (Crown Prince)
A royal crown Or consisting of a jeweled circlet surmounted by alternating leaves and star-and-crescent devices. The crown has three visible pearled arches, and is topped with a pearl Argent.
A black songkok cap similar to that of HM the Sultan but with only one row of pearls is borne above the shield.
Heraldic achievement of H.R.H. the Raja Muda, including pavilion, crown, songkok cap, and supporters. Note the label Argent as befits the eldest son of HM the Sultan. (Aleksander Bachko, www.czipm.org)
H.R.H. Maharaja Adinda (Prince, younger son of HM the Sultan)
as for Raja Muda, but with only the centre pearled arch visible.
H.R.H. Datu (M) / Dayang Dayang (F) (blood relative of HM the Sultan, member of the Royal House)
A coronet Or consisting of a jeweled circlet surmounted by three visible spikes (as per an ancient crown) alternating with two visible star-and-crescent devices.
H.H. Datu (M) / Dayang Dayang (F) (adopted relative of HM the Sultan, member of the Royal House)
As for blood relatives with the title HRH, but with acanthus leaves Or bearing oval jewels Azure in place of the star-and-crescents.
A black songkok cap embroidered gold with one row of pearls (the centre upon an escallop Argent) is borne above the shield.
Full heraldic achievements of two Datus of Sulu, showing pavilions, songkok caps, coronets, supporters, and Collars of the Order of the Pearl. Note in both cases the original personal arms are quartered with those of the Royal House. (Aleksander Bachko, www.czipm.org)
ADDITIAMENTS OF THE NOBILITY OF SULU
Both ranks of titled nobility are entitled to bear a coronet and a songkok cap with their arms as follows:
H.E. Datu Sadja (M) / Dayang (F)
A coronet Or consisting of a jeweled circlet surmounted by three visible spikes (as per an ancient crown) alternating with two visible sets of pearls (one over two) Argent. This coronet is displayed upon a cap Vert.
A black songkok cap embroidered gold with one row of pearls is borne above the shield.
The rank of Datu Sadja is also entitled to supporters, and to bear arms upon a pavilion Vert doubled Argent, and edged with sets of three flames Or.
Example of the heraldic achievement of a Datu Sadja of Sulu, including pavilion, coronet, songkok cap, and supporters. This individual also holds the Order of the Pearl. (Aleksander Bachko, www.czipm.org)
Hon. Tuan (M) / Sitti (F)
A coronet Or consisting of a jeweled circlet surmounted by three visible visible sets of pearls (one over two) Argent. This coronet is not displayed upon a cap.
A black songkok cap embroidered gold is borne above the shield.
Example of the heraldic achievement of a Tuan of Sulu, including coronet and songkok cap. Note insignia of a Distinguished Companion of the Order of the Pearl, and the absence of supporters and a pavilion. (Aleksander Bachko, www.czipm.org)
Additiaments Of Members Of The Royal And Hashemite Order Of The Pearl Of Sulu.
Grade of membership in the Royal and Hashemite Order of the Pearl is entitled to the following heraldic additiaments:
Pearl Collar
The member’s arms are encircled with the Collar of the Order. This grade is entitled to bear supporters.
Grand Cordon
The Badge of the Order upon a cordon and bow is displayed below the shield. The cordon may fully or partially enclose the shield. This grade is entitled to bear supporters.
Distinguished Companion / Companion / Officer / Member
The Badge of the Order (to include flames for Distinguished Companion) upon a ribbon is displayed below the shield. Depiction of a buckle on the ribbon for Officers and Members is optional.
Members given a special distinction of jure sanguinis are entitled to display a Malay kris dagger above a spear in fess above the Badge of the Order and below the shield. (This distinction only applies to members of the Royal Family of Sulu).
Depiction of the heraldic display of the Badges of the Order of the Pearl by class.Additiaments Of Officers Of The Royal And Hashemite Order Of The Pearl Of Sulu.
Chancellery Officers administering the Order of the Pearl are likewise entitled to the display of their insignia of office behind their shields as follows:
Chancellor
Two batons Vert tipped Or, semé of Sulu double-swords (as the Badge of the Order of the Pearl) and stars-and-crescents, both Or crossed in saltire.
Vice Chancellor
As above, but one baton in pale behind the shield.
Grand Lieutenant
Two Sulu-style swords proper (bladed Argent, hilted Or) crossed in saltire.
Chronicler of Arms
A Chancellor’s baton as above crossed in saltire with a scroll proper.
Depiction of the additiaments for officers of the Order of the Pearl, L-R Chancellor, Grand Lieutenant, and Chronicler of Arms (H.E. Lt. Cmdr. Nick Hoffmann GCPS)
Master of Protocol
A Chancellor’s baton as above crossed in saltire with a Sulu-style sword as above.
Registrar
Two keys Or decorated with star-and-crescents crossed in saltire.
High Constable
Two kris daggers proper (bladed Argent, hilted Or) crossed in saltire.
(L-R) Additiaments for the Master of Protocol, Registrar, and High Constable of the Order of the Pearl (H.E. Lt. Cmdr. Nick Hoffmann GCPS)
Registrar of Arms
A pen Argent crossed with a scroll proper in saltire.
Master of Ceremonies
A Chancellor’s baton as above crossed in saltire with a kris dagger as above.
General Secretary
Two pens Argent crossed in saltire.
(L-R) Additiaments for the Registrar of Arms, Master of Ceremonies, and General Secretary of the Order of the Pearl (H.E. Lt. Cmdr. Nick Hoffmann GCPS)
All additiaments listed above may be borne together, as illustrated in a few of the examples. For example, an individual who is a Datu Sadja of Sulu, a Grand Cordon in the Order of the Pearl, and an official of the Order bears arms consisting of the following components:
- Pavilion (by virtue of Datu Sadja title)
- Coronet (by virtue of Datu Sadja title, above pavilion)
- Crest and wreath (from initial achievement) resting upon cap
- Cap (by virtue of Datu Sadja title; replaces helm if desired)
- Supporters (by virtue of Datu Sadja title and Grand Cordon decoration)
- Officers’ Insignia (in saltire behind shield)
- Shield (from initial achievement)
- Order of the Pearl badge (by virtue of Grand Cordon decoration, below shield)
- Motto (from initial achievement, below shield or above crest)