Symbolism of Bali Cecekahan handle?

David · 29th July 2009, 12:51 AM

I have 2 of these hilts and i have noticed that on mine as well as Erik's and a few others there is also 5 lines notched into the back of the "head" of the hilt. Does anyone here have a clue as to the symbolism of these notches?

A. G. Maisey · 29th July 2009, 01:12 AM

Here's another one.

This used to belong to me, but it has moved house. The new owner has kindly permitted its publication here.

erikscollectables · 29th July 2009, 02:46 PM

Exactly one of my questions too.
Will start travelling now so only join the forum again after the holidays but hope to learn more then...

Regards, Erik

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I have 2 of these hilts and i have noticed that on mine as well as Erik's and a few others there is also 5 lines notched into the back of the "head" of the hilt. Does anyone here have a clue as to the symbolism of these notches?

Marcokeris · 29th July 2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikscollectables

Exactly one of my questions too.
Will start travelling now so only join the forum again after the holidays but hope to learn more then...

Regards, Erik

In Jensen's KRISDISK you can learn more

David · 29th July 2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcokeris

In Jensen's KRISDISK you can learn more

Care to share what you know here Marco? We don't all have Jensen's KrisDisk.

Marcokeris · 29th July 2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Care to share what you know here Marco? We don't all have Jensen's KrisDisk.

......The both hilts (Bébondollan and Cecekahan) might be a stylization of the Balu Mekabun (the veiled
widow) a representation of the death-goddess Durga. The incisions in Cecekahan hilt is said to represent the
folds in her sarong. Cedric Le Dauphin: The Hilts of Krisses, Chaos, Paris 2002, p 165. See chapter 5 p 2
and Fig 34 and chapter 6 Fig 74, 75 and Fig 82.

IMO the notches are not an arcaic meaning. They are only good for a better hold with hand (difficult to loose the handle)

David · 29th July 2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcokeris

IMO the notches are not an arcaic meaning. They are only good for a better hold with hand (difficult to loose the handle)

I am not convinced of this Marco. When i hold my 2 examples in the tradition grip (thumb and forefinger on the blade) my hand does not come in contact with these notches so i cannot see how they can aid in giving a better grip on the blade. Also, ever example i have seen has 5 notches, so it leads me to believe that there must be some significance to the number.

Jussi M. · 29th July 2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I am not convinced of this Marco. When i hold my 2 examples in the tradition grip (thumb and forefinger on the blade) my hand does not come in contact with these notches so i cannot see how they can aid in giving a better grip on the blade. Also, ever example i have seen has 5 notches, so it leads me to believe that there must be some significance to the number.

I was in the impression that Balinese kerises are hold differently from Javanese as the hilts are way much bigger? - Either I am wrong; your Balinese hilts are of the smallish side of how they come and/or you have Alexander Karelin´s hands David!

Also, I too have a hard time accepting that there is not any symbolism to the design having in mind that almost everything if not all having to do with the keris is/was symbolically loaded.

Thanks,

J

Marcokeris · 29th July 2009, 09:46 PM

....Also, ever example i have seen has 5 notches, so it leads me to believe that there must be some significance to the number.

[/QUOTE]
This is a 9+9+3 example....but how many othes with different numbers there are?

29th July 2009, 01:12 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Here's another one. This used to belong to me, but it has moved house. The new owner has kindly permitted its publication here. Attached Images

29th July 2009, 09:46 PM	#9
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	....Also, ever example i have seen has 5 notches, so it leads me to believe that there must be some significance to the number. [/QUOTE] This is a 9+9+3 example....but how many othes with different numbers there are? Attached Images

29th July 2009, 12:51 AM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	I have 2 of these hilts and i have noticed that on mine as well as Erik's and a few others there is also 5 lines notched into the back of the "head" of the hilt. Does anyone here have a clue as to the symbolism of these notches?