Singa (mythology)
Singais anapotropaicfigure from themythologyof theBatakpeople ofNorth Sumatra,Indonesia.The singa represents a benevolent and protective power. The singa is described as "part human, part water buffalo, and part crocodile or lizard". It is variedly represented, but always has an elongated face, with big bulging eyes, a well-defined nose, and long spiraling beard. It is often represented only with its head, but sometimes it may also be represented full body. Other figures - such as other protective deity or ancestral figures - may also be represented standing or sitting on top of the head of the singa.[1]
Etymology
[edit]The wordsingais derived from the Sanskritsinga,"lion". The Batak termsingahas a predominantly magical - rather than zoological - meaning, so it does not symbolize a lion, butNāgaorBoru Saniang Naga,the primeval water serpent from the Hindu-Buddhist mythology. It is not fully understood why the namesingais attributed to this figure.[2][3][4]
As ornaments
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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 calledsinga ni ruma,or "singaof the house ".
The apotropaic use of asingamay 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 inJavaandBaliis the ubiquitouskirtimukhaover arches and doorways. It was during the period of theAparajitastyle at the beginning of the ninth century, that these Batak version of kirtimukha - calledsinghamugam- appeared in full relief.[3]
See also
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References
[edit]- ^Sibeth 1991: 119, 122
- ^Francione, Gianni; Luca Invernizzi Tettoni (2003).Bali houses: new wave Asian architecture and design.Tuttle Publishing. p. 110.ISBN9780794600136.RetrievedJanuary 27,2011.
- ^abParkin, 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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