Dublin Core
Title
Keris: The sacred daggers of Indonesia
Description
A keris is a double-edged asymmetrical dagger originating in Java. It is both a weapon and a ritual object loaded with spiritual significance. Keris are also indigenous to Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Singapore and the Philippines where it is known as kalis, with sword variants.
The keris is widely distributed throughout the areas of influence of the Majapahit Empire, and in the Cham areas of Cambodia, who are heirs to the ancient Shiva-Buddha religion that once spanned all of Southeast Asia. It also appeared in the Dong-Son culture of Vietnam as early as 300 B.C.
The keris is widely distributed throughout the areas of influence of the Majapahit Empire, and in the Cham areas of Cambodia, who are heirs to the ancient Shiva-Buddha religion that once spanned all of Southeast Asia. It also appeared in the Dong-Son culture of Vietnam as early as 300 B.C.
Creator
Indosphere Culture
Source
Indosphere Culture (20 September 2019). Keris: The sacred daggers of Indonesia. INDOSPHERE. https://indosphere.medium.com/keris-the-sacred-daggers-of-indonesia-355326550e8d
Publisher
INDOSPHERE
Date
20 September 2019
Identifier
nfdbf
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
The Keris is a complex piece of art, with each detail having significant meanings and serving specific magical and spiritual purposes.
The blade of the keris, the hilt and also the scabbard all present their own iconography. However, these last two elements are seen as subject to changes. Only the blade remains a constant, and only the blade is regarded as having a spiritual element.
Keris blades have two kinds of shape: straight and meandering. There are approximately 200 kinds of straight keris and 250 kinds of meandering keris.
[Culture, I. (2023, June 22). Keris: The Sacred Daggers of Indonesia - Indosphere Culture - Medium. Medium. https://indosphere.medium.com/keris-the-sacred-daggers-of-indonesia-355326550e8d]
The blade of the keris, the hilt and also the scabbard all present their own iconography. However, these last two elements are seen as subject to changes. Only the blade remains a constant, and only the blade is regarded as having a spiritual element.
Keris blades have two kinds of shape: straight and meandering. There are approximately 200 kinds of straight keris and 250 kinds of meandering keris.
[Culture, I. (2023, June 22). Keris: The Sacred Daggers of Indonesia - Indosphere Culture - Medium. Medium. https://indosphere.medium.com/keris-the-sacred-daggers-of-indonesia-355326550e8d]