Talismanic inscriptions on a Barong

migueldiaz · 2nd September 2011, 01:08 AM

Found these pics from a Spanish photography-travelogue book. The caption says objetos de adivinacion indonesia (Indonesia divination objects).

I thought the centipede and the two other critters look familiar ...

migueldiaz · 2nd September 2011, 01:10 AM

And I was also meaning to post these link_1 and link_2, which show these creatures also.

Indianajones · 2nd September 2011, 10:22 AM

Hello Michael, to my opinion the symbols depict
a Spanish fortress (enemy),
a kampilan as symbol for battle and
a dog, which is also a symbol for alertness (aside from being a pet).
The naga/wormlike symbol is actually a centipede which are feared for their painfull sting (feels like being stung with a blade)! This centipede symbol is actually also used in the north sometimes engraved on Headaxe blades.

Best, Wouter

2nd September 2011, 01:08 AM	#1
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	Found these pics from a Spanish photography-travelogue book. The caption says objetos de adivinacion indonesia (Indonesia divination objects). I thought the centipede and the two other critters look familiar ... Attached Images

2nd September 2011, 01:10 AM	#2
migueldiaz Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Manila, Phils. Posts: 1,042	And I was also meaning to post these link_1 and link_2, which show these creatures also.

2nd September 2011, 10:22 AM	#3
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Hello Michael, to my opinion the symbols depict a Spanish fortress (enemy), a kampilan as symbol for battle and a dog, which is also a symbol for alertness (aside from being a pet). The naga/wormlike symbol is actually a centipede which are feared for their painfull sting (feels like being stung with a blade)! This centipede symbol is actually also used in the north sometimes engraved on Headaxe blades. Best, Wouter