Poleng Balinese Cultural Batik-

Poleng Batik, Balinese Cultural Batik

Batik Poleng is an original Balinese motif that has a special characteristic, namely a motif that resembles a chessboard motif, which is black and white. This motif cloth is very often found for those who often go to Bali. This cloth is often installed in various places such as trees, statues, gates, and banners. Not only that, this cloth is never absent in art shows.

poleng on trees

Even when there are cultural performances as well as religious celebrations that are sometimes used as udeng or the head covering of the pecalang (security guard). For aesthetic purposes, poleng cloth can also be used as clothes, batik, tablecloths, and curtains.  Poleng cloth has several historical and philosophical values. In Balinese society, this philosophy can be found with the Bhineda character, namely the balance of good and bad. These are religious, moral, and humanist values ​​that are held as the purpose of life and teachings of life for Hindus, especially in Bali. Poleng cloths that are placed and tied to a tree that is considered haunted or haunted give a sign that the tree is “inhabited”. Poleng motif turns out to have variations that are not only black and white.

Poleng fabrics can be examined from the aspects of color, size, decor, and box size. Based on the color, there are at least 3 types of poleng fabrics.  

 Rwabhineda,  Sudhamala, Tridatu
Rwabhineda, Sudhamala, Tridatu

The first is Rwabhineda, which is commonly found with black and white elements. White is defined as awareness and wisdom (satwan), where the true meaning of black and white is that in this world there is a balance between big and small, black and white, also good and bad. Second is Sudhamala which is characterized not only by black and white but also gray. Gray has an intermediate and balancing nature between white and black. The third is the Tridatu, where white, black, and red merge into one. The red color is a trait that symbolizes dynamism and synergy.