Ivory Hulu

A. G. Maisey · 10th October 2021, 12:57 AM

The Balinese hilt shown from other perspectives.

"--- vegetative phallus ---"?

I cannot see this.

This hilt is a depiction of Nawasari, the "tumpal throne" is a repetition of the Gunungan motif, this same motif is the foundation for the tumpal motif which is frequently encountered in Indonesian art, especially Javanese/Balinese art.

The Gunungan is representative of Mount Meru (Mt.Kailash/Kailasa), home of the Gods & of the ancestors as they await either re-birth or unification with their own personal God. The Gunungan can be interpreted as the "Tree of Life", when its name becomes "Kalpataru".

Pauzan Pusposukadgo made several keris that had a pamor motif that he initiated and named as Pamor Kalpataru.

The Gunungan is perhaps the most important single symbol in Javanese culture.

However, it is a big, big error to interpret any Javanese or Balinese symbol as having only one interpretation or meaning, in Javanese thought the more interpretations, the better, and some of those interpretations will be used simply to confuse those who do not deserve, or do not have the right to understand the true meaning.

Paul Duffy · 10th October 2021, 01:40 AM

Thank you all for the wonderful photos & comments

Interested Party · 10th October 2021, 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The Balinese hilt shown from other perspectives.

"--- vegetative phallus ---"?

I cannot see this.

There is a reason. I misspoke and edited poorly. Top left. I attached a picture of the subject.

Mr. Maisey thank you for your comment on Nawasari and particularly the Gunungan. I feel your last statement strikes home and is the source of many of the questions I pose in the forum "However, it is a big, big error to interpret any Javanese or Balinese symbol as having only one interpretation or meaning, in Javanese thought the more interpretations, the better, and some of those interpretations will be used simply to confuse those who do not deserve, or do not have the right to understand the true meaning." I have run into esoteric beliefs often in my life.

A. G. Maisey · 10th October 2021, 06:07 AM

OK, it becomes clear.

As a general observation, when we come across these motifs with swirling vines and an overall feeling of vegetation, what we are seeing is a lung-lungan motif.

"Lung" means a shoot, tendril, sprout, young growth of vines. So a lung-lungan motif is a motif that uses representations, either natural or abstract, of vines. We encounter it frequently in batik and in furniture, and as fill motifs in monumental carving.

There are a couple of ways that we can interpret the symbolic meaning of this motif, it can refer directly to growth & fertility, or it can be a reference to the lower slopes of Mount Meru, which are covered in vines and undergrowth and which in turn is a reference to Bhoma, son of Dewa Wisnu & Dewa Pertiwi. Bhoma is the protective force that guards a Balinese temple gateway, and is thought of as representative of the the entire plant world, which is a reference to fertility generated by rainfall penetrating Mother Earth.

If we think of the lung-lungan motif as referring to Bhoma, we have protection in a very broad sense because protection is generated by production of food, which comes from rainfall & the earth.

Bhoma is frequently confused with Kala, both are represented in a similar way.

What we sometimes think that we are seeing is not always quite as straightforward as it might appear to be.

10th October 2021, 12:57 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	The Balinese hilt shown from other perspectives. "--- vegetative phallus ---"? I cannot see this. This hilt is a depiction of Nawasari, the "tumpal throne" is a repetition of the Gunungan motif, this same motif is the foundation for the tumpal motif which is frequently encountered in Indonesian art, especially Javanese/Balinese art. The Gunungan is representative of Mount Meru (Mt.Kailash/Kailasa), home of the Gods & of the ancestors as they await either re-birth or unification with their own personal God. The Gunungan can be interpreted as the "Tree of Life", when its name becomes "Kalpataru". Pauzan Pusposukadgo made several keris that had a pamor motif that he initiated and named as Pamor Kalpataru. The Gunungan is perhaps the most important single symbol in Javanese culture. However, it is a big, big error to interpret any Javanese or Balinese symbol as having only one interpretation or meaning, in Javanese thought the more interpretations, the better, and some of those interpretations will be used simply to confuse those who do not deserve, or do not have the right to understand the true meaning. Attached Images

10th October 2021, 01:40 AM	#2
Paul Duffy Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 31	Thank you all for the wonderful photos & comments

10th October 2021, 06:07 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	OK, it becomes clear. As a general observation, when we come across these motifs with swirling vines and an overall feeling of vegetation, what we are seeing is a lung-lungan motif. "Lung" means a shoot, tendril, sprout, young growth of vines. So a lung-lungan motif is a motif that uses representations, either natural or abstract, of vines. We encounter it frequently in batik and in furniture, and as fill motifs in monumental carving. There are a couple of ways that we can interpret the symbolic meaning of this motif, it can refer directly to growth & fertility, or it can be a reference to the lower slopes of Mount Meru, which are covered in vines and undergrowth and which in turn is a reference to Bhoma, son of Dewa Wisnu & Dewa Pertiwi. Bhoma is the protective force that guards a Balinese temple gateway, and is thought of as representative of the the entire plant world, which is a reference to fertility generated by rainfall penetrating Mother Earth. If we think of the lung-lungan motif as referring to Bhoma, we have protection in a very broad sense because protection is generated by production of food, which comes from rainfall & the earth. Bhoma is frequently confused with Kala, both are represented in a similar way. What we sometimes think that we are seeing is not always quite as straightforward as it might appear to be.