Singa (mythology)
Singa is an
Etymology
The word singa is derived from the Sanskrit singa, "lion". The Batak term singa has a predominantly magical - rather than zoological - meaning, so it does not symbolize a lion, but Nāga or Boru Saniang Naga, the primeval water serpent from the Hindu-Buddhist mythology. It is not fully understood why the name singa is attributed to this figure.[2][3][4]
As ornaments
Images of singa are carved in various objects such as domestic utensils, medicine containers, jewelries, amulets, wood coffins, stone sarcophagi, barns and Batak traditional houses. Its frequent use made the singa a symbol of the Batak culture. Carving of singa on a Batak house is called singa ni ruma, or "singa of the house".
The apotropaic use of a singa may stem from the Hindu-Buddhism period of Batak during the ninth century (the Batak people are predominantly Christian or Muslim community). One of the major features of Hindu-Buddhist architecture in Java and Bali is the ubiquitous kirtimukha over arches and doorways. It was during the period of the Aparajita style at the beginning of the ninth century, that these Batak version of kirtimukha - called singhamugam - appeared in full relief.[3]
See also
References
- ^ Sibeth 1991: 119, 122
- ISBN 9780794600136. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
- ^ a b Parkin, Harry (1978). Batak fruit of Hindu thought. Christian Literature Society, University of California.
- ^ Sibeth (2000). Batak, Kunst aus Sumatra. Frankfurt. p. 38.
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