Not Just Decoration, This Is The Meaning Of White Black Box Clothing In Bali

Illustration (Photo: Pixabay/slknight)

YOGYAKARTA When you have packed in Bali, you are certainly familiar with a white black box cloth attached to a tree, statue, or other object. Apparently the cloth has various meanings and not just decorations. The meaning of the black and white box cloth in Bali is related to natural balance.

In Bali, a black and white plaid is called a poleng cloth or a poleng broom.

This cloth has a meaning according to its name. Saput is defined as a cloth that wraps it, and poleng is a term for a black and white color that alternates.

This black and white color is the symbol of Rwa Bhineda, which is the concept of natural balance. This concept is symbolized by the same number of black and white boxes.

Rwa Bhineda can be interpreted as a balanced life. White color means awareness and wisdom. While black depicts opposite traits.

Philosotically, the black and white plaids aka Rwa Bhineda seem to want to tell that in this world there are two things that cannot be separated properly, day-night, and hot-cold.

Poleng cloth worn by pecalang (a custom village security officer) also has its own meaning, namely where a person is trusted to be a protector and able to firmly sort out the good and the bad.

Pecalangs are expected to reflect on the poleng sweeping worn, namely knowing about the existence of Rwa Bhineda. Furthermore, through intellectual maturity and alertness it can control the situation.

Based on information compiled by VOI, the black and white box cloth in Bali or Poleng sweeping has several functions, including:

There are at least three types of polleng cloth or white black box cloth known in Bali, including:

1. Saput Poleng Rwa Bhineda

Saput Poleng Rwa Bhineda is a black and white plaid. In Balinese culture, Saput Poleng Rwa Bhineda means a balance between good and bad which is the essence of tantric teachings (tantrayana).

By maintaining a balance between good and bad, it is hoped that prosperity will be created in life.

2. Saput Poleng Sudhamala

Sapit Poleng Sudhamala is a white, gray, and black cloth.

Black and white are symbols of Rwa Bhineda. While gray is the reason for the two.

3. Saput Poleng Tridatu

Sapit Poleng Tridatu is a white, black, and red cloth. This cloth symbolizes the teachings of Triguna, namely animal, shipping, and garden.

White means awareness or wisdom (satwam). Red means energy or movement (rajah) and black is defined as an obstacle (tamah).

This is information about the meaning of the black and white box cloth in Bali. Hopefully this article can add insight to the loyal readers of VOI.ID.