Canang sari () is one of the daily offerings made by Balinese to thank the 9 Divines, Dewata Nawa Sanga in praise and prayer. ''Canang sari'' will be seen in the Balinese temples ( pura), on small shrines in houses, and on the ground or as a part of a larger offering.

Etymology

The phrase canang sari is derived from the Balinese words ''sari'' (essence) and ''canang'' (a small palm-leaf basket as the tray). ''Canang'' itself consists of two syllables from the Kawi language: ''ca'' (beautiful) and ''nang'' (purpose).

Parts

''Canang sari'' has some parts; there are ''peporosan'', ''ceper'', ''raka-raka'', and ''sampian urasari''. ''Peporosan'' or the core material is made from betel leaf, banana leaf, lime, gambier, prestige,

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and betel nuts. Material of ''peporosan'' symbolizes the Trimurti, the three major Hindu Gods.

Shiva Shiva (; , ), also known as Mahadeva (; , , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐh and Hara, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the God in Hinduism, Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions w ...

is symbolized by lime,

Vishnu Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...

is symbolized by betel nut, and

Brahma Brahma (, ) is a Hindu god, referred to as "the Creator" within the Trimurti, the triple deity, trinity of Para Brahman, supreme divinity that includes Vishnu and Shiva.Jan Gonda (1969)The Hindu Trinity, Anthropos, Bd 63/64, H 1/2, pp. 212– ...

is symbolized by gambier. ''Canang sari'' are covered by ''ceper'' (a tray made from palm leaf) as a symbol of ''Ardha Candra''. ''Raka-raka'' is topped with ''sampian urasari'', which are in turn overlaid by flowers placed in a specific direction. Each direction symbolizes a Hindu God (

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): * White-colored flowers that point to the east as a symbol of Iswara * Red-colored flowers that point to the south as a symbol of

* Yellow-colored flowers that point to the west as a symbol of Mahadeva * Blue or green colored flowers that point to the north as a symbol of

A ''canang sari'' is completed by placing on top of the canang an amount of ''kepeng'' (the coin money) or

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, which is said to make up the essence (the "sari") of the offering.

Usage

''Canang sari'' is offered every day to Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa as a form of thanking for the peace given to the world; it is the simplest daily household offering. The philosophy behind the offering is self-sacrifice in that they take time and effort to prepare. ''Canang sari'' is not offered when there is a death in the community or family. Canang sari is also used on certain days, such as: Kliwon, Purnama, and Tilem.

Etymology

Parts

Usage

Gallery

References

Further reading