"Is it really a Cockatoo?"

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by David

Well, as with most things that we encounter in SEA, there are multiple ways of interpreting just about everything.

Good point- although it's very much possible to isolate the imagery based on the traditions inherent in each Moro tribe within a specific era- in my example, since it's vintage Maranao sarimanok and vintage Maranao hilt, the upturned version is the strong basis, and not the upside-down (since the down-tail emerged in modern time already). The Maranao elders and researchers that I've consulted with also never discussed the pommel in an upside-down fashion, so that says a lot.

But that doesn't mean the upside-down version ceases to be a possible symbolism- at least from other POVs. Symbolism may differ depending on the Moro tribe in question- what may be a "kakatua as sarimanok" from the Maranao POV, for example, may be a different interpretation from the Yakan POV; at the same time the Tausug have their own symbolism, etc. Additionally- Mindanao-made kakatua differs from Sulu-made kakatua in terms of design aesthetic. And it's not only the pommel- oral traditions regarding the origin of shared blades such as the kris/kalis, for example, may vary not only per tribe, but per family lineage as well.

In a nutshell, interpretation of Moro imagery is based (and modified) by the following:
1. Era (and sometimes area too)
2. Tribe
3. Family lineage

These should all be taken into context to arrive at a strong interpretation regarding symbolism/imagery.