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Originally Posted by mykeris
What are those symbols for? Is it similar to Singa-Gajah symbols found in some of the Javanese kerises..
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Dear Mykeris,
It is similar, but IMHO not the same. Similar in intention (to commemorate certain years or date), but not with the same symbols. This famous "Si Ginjai" keris (now it belongs to the collection of National Museum of Indonesia in Jakarta) IMHO had been given to Jambi ruler in the past to commemorate certain relation, between Jawa kingdom and Sumatra.
Let us trace the meaning of the Si Ginjai kinatah, as the way we trace the meaning of "Gajah Singa" (elephant and lion) motifs in Sultan-Agung "kinatah" (gold ornament in keris blade). The "gajah singa" kinatah was made as a commemoration of the extinguishing of certain rebellion in the district of Pragola, Pati in the northern coast of Central Java. IMHO, the kinatah was awarded to honorable people who help in extinguishing the rebellion.
The "sengkalan" or "candra sengkala" (certain phrase, consists of four nouns that has contains meaning of "numbers") from such symbols of "gajah singa" could be read as "gajah singa keris siji" (or gajah-singa in one keris). Gajah or elephant symbolizes number "8", Singa or lion symbolizes "5", keris means "5" and siji means "1". The javanese way to read "candra sengkala" is to reverse the number of the "sengkalan" -- 8551 then you must read it in reverse way 1558 "javanese year" or lunar year. If you count in Christian year or Masehi, then you must add "78 years different" -- 1558+78 = 1636 M -- it was the years when the troops of Sultan Agung -- King of Mataram -- extinguished the Pragola rebellion 1636 M...
The "sengkalan" of Si Ginjai or Si Ginjei? I have no reference. But, from the motifs you show on your pictures (fortunately, I was lucky too -- to be able to grip the keris directly and take some photos with the permission of the Museum last year -- my pictures below) it shows kinatah "singa singa", or two lions. Maybe, it could be read as "singa singa keris siji" or two singa in one keris. Thus in javanese "candra sengkala" it symbolizes numbers of "5551". Read it in reverse, then it means "1555" javanese calender, and in Christian year 1555+78 = 1633 M... Maybe the kinatah in Si Ginjai keris was to commemorate something, on the year of 1633 M, I don't know...
GANJAWULUNG