Lombok Keris Iconology

A. G. Maisey · 31st July 2024, 09:59 AM

When a member of the K'satriya Caste, ie, warrior cast is cremated, his petulangan (casket) is made in the form of a winged lion, other nobles of varying status are entitled to caskets in the form of other animals.

A Singo Barong need not have wings, but whether it is winged or not, it is still a hierarchical marker for a K'satriya.

In applications other than the cremation casket the Singo Barong performs a protective function, it is often placed above a gateway, or in the rafters of a house. When it is found on a keris, or keris dress, it has the function of protecting the keris from negative forces.

31st July 2024, 09:59 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,890	When a member of the K'satriya Caste, ie, warrior cast is cremated, his petulangan (casket) is made in the form of a winged lion, other nobles of varying status are entitled to caskets in the form of other animals. A Singo Barong need not have wings, but whether it is winged or not, it is still a hierarchical marker for a K'satriya. In applications other than the cremation casket the Singo Barong performs a protective function, it is often placed above a gateway, or in the rafters of a house. When it is found on a keris, or keris dress, it has the function of protecting the keris from negative forces.