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Single-coloured white flags were emblems of the following states: France, Oman, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Lingga
Plain white flags have a long tradition and have been relatively common,
especially in South East Asia, as the colour of the flags of Kelantan and
Terengganu, which partially separated from Siam in 1832 and introduced these
flags on the occasion of this process. The tradition of using a white bunting as
the flag of the Sultan probably originated from the Sultanate of Lingga. This is
unusual because across South East Asia, the color yellow is considered to be the
colour that represents the ruler. The sultanates of Johore, Pahang, Terengganu,
Kelantan and Perak took over this tradition from Lingga and so their sultans
still use white flags until today. The colour white is the royal color of the
Bourbons in Europe, a very old noble dynasty, e.g. ruled in France, Spain and
Sicily. White is also considered to be one of the colours of Islam. The origin
of the white flag is said to go back directly to the Prophet Mohammed, who is
said to have used two flags, an unlabeled white flag and an unlabelled black
flag. White also stands for the Omajiad dynasty, a caliph dynasty that goes back
to the fifth caliph Moawija I.
Single-coloured white flags can have very different meanings that go far beyond the topic of state or national flags:
• The colour white as the royal color of the Bourbons – supposedly originated in the banner of Jeanne d'Arc – has become more and more important with the beginning of their rule in France. By royal decree, a single-coloured white flag in 1638 was introduced as merchant and sea flag. From 1661 it was allowed for individuals to use as merchant flag a blue flag with a white cross. When they were at sea in royal order they had to use this merchant flag added by the crowned lily shield of France (version as greater coat of arms) in the middle. Only royal ships continued to use the white flag. This rule was renewed in 1661, 1670 and 1765. These regulations were partially re-introduced with the restoration of the monarchy in 1814, but were abolished again in favor of blue-white-red in 1830 with the beginning of the reign of the "citizen king" Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orleans.
• Capitulation/surrender: The single coloured, white flag let us of course think about surrender, what is quite right. However, there was – if you wanted to capitulate in the 17th and 18th centuries – initially a practice to use a bunting in the colours of the enemy. In this way they surrendered at that time against the French, with their white flag. A plain white cloth was readily available and at hand, so that this tradition prevailed, and white is until today the colour of surrender and of the peace envoys.
• Peace envoys/negotiators: Combat operations can be briefly interrupted during war. Causes for this can be: a break in the fight to recover the dead and wounded, start of negotiations if the continuation of the fight in a locally limited area no longer makes sense, e.g. when supplies are cut off, the ammunition stocks are exhausted or there is no more food or water available, or too many soldiers have been sidelined due to injury or death. The Peace envoy or negotiator ("parliamentarian", from French: parler = to talk) then approaches the enemy positions unarmed with a white armband and a clearly visible white flag.
Source: Jürgen Kaltschmitt, partially Volker Preuß
