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“Canang”
The Offerings We Most Commonly See
In
Bali, we see canangs every time we leave
the house to go anywhere. For first time
visitors to Bali, you will have seen them
wedged onto the dash boards of minibuses
and taxis, perhaps with their incense sticks
still smouldering away on top.
This
is the Banten Canang or canang. It is always
to be found being used as part of any religious
ceremony. In the Bausastra Jawa dictionary
the word canang means sirih (betel leaf,
similar to a kind of tobacco leaf), and
in ancient Java the sirih leaf was a symbol
of respect. Whenever there was a visitor,
the host would bring out canangs in their
honour. Even amongst Hindus in Bali a similar
meaning still holds true. These days we
rarely see a canang being offered to guests,
but in Bali we see them being used all the
time. Within the banten canang, for example,
the sirih leaf is one of the most important
elements, and that’s why ‘Banten
Canang’ is always abbreviated to Canang,
because of the importance of this component.
The Tri Murti Holy Symbol
If we look closely at the axis, we see that
it also contains fruit from the Pinang tree
and calcium. Pinang fruit is a symbol of
worship for Brahma, the manifestation of
God as the ultimate creator. The sirih leaf
itself symbolises Vishnu, the manifestation
of God as maintainer of the world and all
living things. Calcium, meanwhile, symbolizes
Iswara, the manifestation of God as the
destroyer. These three elements are termed
‘Tri Murti’, meaning that the
everyday canang can be used in the worship
of God in three aspects: Brahma, Vishnu
and Iswara. These three forces are at some
time or another experienced by all of God’s
creatures in birth (Brahma), life (Vishnu)
and death (Iswara, Siwa).
Other important elements of the canang include
plawa leaves, flowers, Sampian Uras Sari
(ornately carved leaf sculptures), sugar
cane, sliced banana and coins (usually two).
These items are organised in a certain manner
to produce the canang proper, which is then
regarded as a sacred object by Hindu people
in Bali. It’s rather like a length
of cloth having been transformed into a
flag. As a flag the cloth begins to represent
respect towards a nation, and the flag itself
is subsequently given respect in return.
It’s a similar idea with the canang,
with its multivarious elements, each with
their own sacred meaning. Plawa (leaves)
symbolising the development of pure thoughts.
Flowers symbolizing altruism in performing
Yadnya. The sampian canang uses leaf sculptures
to illustrate diligence in performing yadya.
Tebu which symbolizes worship of Brahma
and is full of deep philosophical meaning
because of its articulated shape, telling
us that in order to achieve prosperity in
our lives we must take life step by step,
and must not heed ambition.
We must plan properly - rationally and thoroughly.
This is especially true if we submit to
God’s will - in itself fraught with
difficulty and with a need for careful planning.
Sampian Uras Sari represents the swastika
which is a kind of request for a balanced
life on earth. The sliced banana and coins
symbolise Artha or the enjoyment of material
things, for as humans we can never detach
ourselves from their influence, and that’s
why we must seek balance in our lives so
as not to be overcome by stress in carrying
on our lives as mortals. (*)
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