Dragons, Naga and Bakunawa...

Spunjer · 20th January 2006, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Looking at the different Bakunawas on these deity hilts, I started to wonder why it is Bakunawa has a long horn or a short horn? The meaning of the four pedal flower? Being a deity, the must be stories about Bakunawa, deeds, travels, importance (after all, Bakunawa is on a lot of swords) and so on.

BSMStar,

i'm confused myself, but if the bakunawas were dragons, why is it that the 'diety' on this hilts looks more human being (albeit an ugly one) than reptilian? although the flower does shows up quite a lot on these carvings; whether it'd be the cap, or the eyes, or just plain deco around the hilt.
going back on the monster hilt, they kinda resemble more like an indo golok:

http://old.blades.free.fr/swords/golok/gol04.htm

here's another threadin reference to sanduko:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=353

BSMStar · 21st January 2006, 02:24 AM

Spunjer,

I remember your post... it was a big part of what inspired me to look for this sword. Totally Awesome!!!

It is my understanding that indeed Bakunawa (from Bako [bent] sawa [snake], see earlier link) is a sea dragon as are most of the naga (as I believe, in the region tend to be associated with the sea). I too use to think that it was more human looking. It seems that the more variations of Bakunawa I see - I see new things, man like, hooded dragon like, bearded dragon like, bat like and almost dog like (but the nose is definitely bat like)... and is likely due to the influence in the different areas. I like the hooded dragon versions too. I believe you have seen all of these forms pictured on the forum.

MABAGANI · 21st January 2006, 05:50 AM

I must have been out during your thread Spunger, great pics and reference, nice to see what the scabbards looked like, I've kept only one example of this sword type, more long narrow blade with a hand guard. Interesting Indonesian ancestry link, shows one of the few groups which had cultural beliefs that continued after Islamic and Christian contact in the Visayas, something like the headhunters in the Northern Provinces of Luzon.

21st January 2006, 02:24 AM	#2
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	Dragons - associated with water.... Spunjer, I remember your post... it was a big part of what inspired me to look for this sword. Totally Awesome!!! It is my understanding that indeed Bakunawa (from Bako [bent] sawa [snake], see earlier link) is a sea dragon as are most of the naga (as I believe, in the region tend to be associated with the sea). I too use to think that it was more human looking. It seems that the more variations of Bakunawa I see - I see new things, man like, hooded dragon like, bearded dragon like, bat like and almost dog like (but the nose is definitely bat like)... and is likely due to the influence in the different areas. I like the hooded dragon versions too. I believe you have seen all of these forms pictured on the forum. Attached Images

21st January 2006, 05:50 AM	#3
MABAGANI Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 221	I must have been out during your thread Spunger, great pics and reference, nice to see what the scabbards looked like, I've kept only one example of this sword type, more long narrow blade with a hand guard. Interesting Indonesian ancestry link, shows one of the few groups which had cultural beliefs that continued after Islamic and Christian contact in the Visayas, something like the headhunters in the Northern Provinces of Luzon.