Kris handles showing royal 'mascots'?

[David]

Originally Posted by David

You citing was not "irritating" Cinna, but i do still think it was a misleading remark on the original poster's part. Just for the record, NONE of us here are experts in this field. Some are more informed than others, but we all have much to learn.

After reading Alan's remark i realized that the way i placed these 2 sentences together might imply that i though might have thought that Ganjawulung was "wrong" and somehow less informed than others. I want to assure everyone, especially Ganja, that it was not my intention at all and i probably should have started a new paragraph for this second sentence which i did not intend to relate directly to the first. Ganja is indeed a very well educated man and i believe the intention that Alan mentions was no doubt what Ganja's reference was about. Please forgive me if yo took offense Ganja.

[tunggulametung]

I just want to add to this interesting discussion that in Indonesian keris society the typical 'raksasa' Cirebon hilt were called 'buta bajang' which means dwarf giant(?)/raksasa. But as Alan mention somewhere on the other thread, they might represent several characters (I think Jagal Abilawa/Bilawa/Bima, Rajamala, dwarapala-at least his posture as a guard- etc) to which I'm agree.

Specific to Semar/Smara/Smarasanta he is an avatar of Sanghyang (God) Ismaya, other punakawan Bagong is (made of) his shadow. Semar is like yin-yang symbol in Chinese philosophy, or kain poleng (checkered cloth in Bali) not good looking but is wise/powerful (God), a male but has breast, old looking but has a child hairdo, sad eyes but always smiling etc. Gareng & petruk got their appearance from a fight between them (previously good looking). I don't know how old these character is started to be used as keris hilt, but I don't think it is 'traditional'/very old practice.