Centipede, Scorpion, or what??

PenangsangII · 6th August 2008, 06:42 AM

Most likely a centipede - in Morc & Malay cultures, snake and centipede have a place in weapons symbolism - never heard of scorpion being used.

VVV · 6th August 2008, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenangsangII

Most likely a centipede - in Morc & Malay cultures, snake and centipede have a place in weapons symbolism - never heard of scorpion being used.

Scorpions are seen now and then as kinatah emas on keris and related weapons from Solo. A famous example is the one in Tropen with a cosmic wheel on the other side. Below is an example from Sumatra.
And the full view of the barong with the centipede inlay (on the other side it has Ali's sword, Solomon's seal and a wild dog (?)).

Michael

Maurice · 6th August 2008, 08:50 AM

That is a nice barong Michael!

kino · 7th August 2008, 01:46 AM

WOW! That is a nice Barung, Michael.

Tim Simmons · 7th April 2009, 07:12 PM

Another reference to the power of the centipede, 3rd paragraph.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cakobau

migueldiaz · 8th April 2009, 01:03 AM

Looks like a centipede all right.

Am just wondering why in both Kino's & Michael's examples (and maybe it's true for all?), the centipede's head is facing the sword wielder, rather than the enemy?

8th April 2009, 01:03 AM	#6
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Looks like a centipede all right. Am just wondering why in both Kino's & Michael's examples (and maybe it's true for all?), the centipede's head is facing the sword wielder, rather than the enemy? Attached Images

6th August 2008, 06:42 AM	#1
PenangsangII Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 401	Most likely a centipede - in Morc & Malay cultures, snake and centipede have a place in weapons symbolism - never heard of scorpion being used.

6th August 2008, 08:50 AM	#3
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,453	That is a nice barong Michael!

7th August 2008, 01:46 AM	#4
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,018	WOW! That is a nice Barung, Michael.

7th April 2009, 07:12 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Another reference to the power of the centipede, 3rd paragraph. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cakobau