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Red hibiscus. Bungan Pucuk, that is the Balinese name for Hibiscus. The roots, leaves, and flowers can be used as medicines. The flowers are a favorite for use in offerings.

The Balinese using colors as symbols in all religious ritual that held, this proves that the Balinese people reached high level of public awareness in art.

Cendana Resort Colorful Landscape Ubud

Dance performance Ubud

Red is the color of the greatness of Lord Brahma as the creator god in the Hindu faith. The red color can give the impression of the brave. Balinese people in making their religious and cultural traditions often use red both in the offering cakes, flowers, and fabric for the temple, flag pennant, and so forth. In the old days, the red color is obtained from various natural sources, such as palm sugar, Cang wood, red flowers, the liquid of betel leaves, and others.

Red parrots

Red ixora. Ixora is one of the most popular garden plants all over Southeast Asia. Balinese name it Bungan Soka. This flower is also used for offerings

Palm sugar

The purple mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana)

Poleng, or chessboard pattern of alternating black and white squares is surely the most distinguished motif of Balinese cloth.

Red hibiscus

hibiscus (rosa sinensis)

Bougainvillea, Bungan Kertas, this flower is popular as a decoration everywhere in Bali. The bracts have no odors, but are commonly used in offerings.

Fresh palm sugar

As a symbol of purity, white symbolizes Shiva, the destroyer and fuser god. Balinese peoples get the white from natural sources, such us: whiting, rice flour, white flowers, and so forth. In the prayers, white flowers is a means that must be provided.

Dipterocarpus White Flower

Bedugul Botanical Garden

Holly water

Dipterocarpus White Flower

Greater Bird of Paradise (Paradisaea apoda). Male at Bali Bird Park.

Black is a symbol of the god Vishnu, the Preserver of the Universe. A variety of materials that represent the black for ceremony such as the kitchen ash (charcoal), black rice flour (Injin), violet flower (Clitoria ternatea), and so forth. The unification of the three colors (red, white, black) in the tradition of Balinese Hindu culture is believed to provide tremendous strength. The power and aura that emanated from a combination of red and black and white can give a positive energy.

A simple explanation about banten is a symbolic offering of human being to the gods and nether world with arrangement as much as beautiful appearance can be made.

All three are often used by the Balinese tradition as a symbol of strength and repellent reinforcements. An example is clothing that is worn Pecalang (Balinese traditional soldiers) style red-white-black. Tridatu bracelet made of red- white-black yarn used by the Balinese as a symbol for refusing reinforcements (invisible danger). There are also fabrics that envelop some of the Sanggah (small temple) which use cloth poleng telu (red-white-black) is a symbol of greatness.

Tri Murthi is the God trinity concept of Balinese Hindu Religion. This concept was made by Danghyang Dwijendra at the Samuan Tiga Temple - Gianyar, when he unites all sects in Bali into Balinese Hinduism nowadays. Tri Murthi means ‘Tri’ = “three” and ‘Murthi’ = “realization of God”, so Tri Murthi means Three manifestations of God Almighty in accordance with his duties. Brahma as the Creator of life, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva as destroyer.

In fact the whole (desa pekraman) village in Bali must have 3 temples are embracing the concept. Brahma worshiped at Bale Agung Temple, Vishnu at Puseh temple and Shiva at Dalem Temple. Relation to Brahma, symbolized by red, Vishnu by black and Shiva with white color. A combination of three colors is called ‘Tri Datu’, is used in every religious ceremonies, buildings, and even used as a talisman for safety. Usually when used for amulets shaped bracelet made of yarn called ‘Benang Tri Datu’ yarn.

Pura Dalem Temple Jagaraga

Dalem Jagaraga Temple belongs to Pura Kahyangan Tiga

Garuda

Tri Datu is not only attached to buildings or on religion ceremonies, but occasionally, the Balinese attach the threads to their bodies. Around the right wrist - a red thread, around the ankle - a black, and attached to the ear - the white. The use of the Tri Datu is to calm the mind so that it will not be influenced by negative thoughts. The threads can also be wound together around the right wrist or placed on the crown of the head. No matter how the Tri Datu is worn, the threads were placed or attached with prayers to endow the recipient with power, strength, and Longevity. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

Garuda

umbul Dalem Jagaraga Temple

Pura Jero Kandang

Orchids are called Anggrek in Bali

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) This flower is regard as the sacred symbol by Hindus and Buddhists. It is only used in offerings but also in countless art forms.

The use of various flowers is determinant on every type of Banten.

This native fruit from Indonesia, widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk.

Text : Internet Pictures: Internet & Nicoleta Leu Copyright: All the images belong to their authors Arangement: Sanda Foi ş oreanu Sound: The Balinese traditional Bambu & flute Music