PAUL'S KERIS PAGE

The Mystical Aspect

The keris is considered a magical weapon, filled with great 
spiritual power. In Javanese there is a term "Tosan Aji" or
"Magic Metal" uesd to describe the keris. The keris is replete with
the totems of Malay-Indonesian culture; hindu and islam.
The best example can be seen in the union of the paksi (tang)
and the ganja. The paksi represents the lingam, which is a phallic
symbol, while the hole in the ganja represents the yoni, the female
vagina. The union of both is considered very powerful in hinduistic
belief system as it brings life; an act of great power. Thus the
joining of the paksi and the ganja imbues the keris with the power
over life.

The waves of the keris are representative of the Naga, a 
mythical snake creature. The Naga is closely associated with water
and rivers. As water is life, the Naga is a powerful symbol. Imitation
of the Naga in the keris adds power to it. In Java, the keris blade 
is described in terms of the Naga; a straight blade is called 
"sarpa tapa" or snake in meditation, while the wavy blade is
"sarpa lumuka" or snake in motion.

The Kembang Kacang too is symbolically powerful. In Malay
it is called Belalai Gajah or elephant's trunk. The tiny projections 
under the tendril in Javanese is called Lembai Gajah, or elephant's
lips. There is no doubt that the Kembang Kacang is associated to 
the elephant and hence it is linked to Ganasha, the Hindu deity 
with an elephant's head; a deity of great power and strength.

The pamor in the blade adds to the belief in the keris 
as a magical weapon. The appearance of the intricate patterns
in the blade through the process of forging is considered magical
and a manifestation of great spiritual power. Different types of
pamor are said to give different powers to a blade; such as the
power to deflect blows, to bring prosperity, etc. Beras Wutah 
(Scattered Rice Grains) is considered lucky as a man must be
of means to scatter rice grains away. Udan Mas (Rain of Gold)
is good for the businessman  as it brings rains of wealth. For an 
easy life, choose an    Adeg blade as the straight flowing lines
corresponds to things coming easily to you.

While different pamor connotes different qualities, purists 
believe that it is not license for one to go and get a pamor that
catches his fancy or matches his desires. Pamor is considered so
powerful that it must match your status in life. If not, it will bring you
harm. For example, if you are not a man of power or war, avoid 
Buntel Mayit, the Death Shroud, or you might find it consuming you.

The shape and length of the blade is equally important. Many 
believe that a keris must be compatible with its owner. While pamor
is an important guide, the length of the blade, I think, has more
significance on whether the blade is compatible or not. There
are several elaborate and complex counting systems on the length
of the blade to decide on compatibility. One method is to recite 
mantras or chants or prayers as they thumb the length of the blade 
from the ganja to the point. When the finger or thumb reaches the
point, the chant must end and where it ends will decide the issue of
compatibility. A purist will not accept a keris if it is not compatible,
regardless of its rarity, pamor or worth.

Hence it is no surprise that many people believe that keris blades
are imbued with great supernatural powers have a life of its own.
So respected and venerated is the keris that believers in it magical
properties make offerings to it and bath it in incense every Thursday
and have it ritually washed, its pamor revitalised in a solution of
lime juice and arsenic, and scented once a year in the month of
Suro or Muharam to maintain its powers.

The keris has always been considered as protective. In 
traditional Malay houses, a keris would be secured to the main
roof beam to protect the house. Stories abound of keris flying
out of their sheaths and attacking an enemy; of keris rattling
in their sheaths at the approach of danger; of killing an enemy by
just pointing at someone. There is a marvelous legend of a keris 
that could help people frosee the future. Hang Jebat, a
legendary Malay hero, had a keris with holes in the sogogan
that allowed him to see the immediate future when he peered 
through the holes. A keris with "combong" or holes in the 
sogogan is considered a very powerful keris today.

With the coming of Islam, much of the Hindu beliefs have been 
lost, discarded or superseded In some keris, the keris is forged as one
piece with no separate ganja. The ganja is chiseled in. Such keris
are called Keris Iras. Better still if the keris is inscribed with
words and versus from the Koran or if the pamor lines follow 
are resemble Koranic words such as illa.


Click on where you want to go.

1.  The Keris - Forward & Contents
2.  The Keris - An Introduction
3.  The Blade
4.  Details of the Blade
5.  Dapur
6.  Pamor
7.  Pamor Types
8. The Hilt, Sheath and Other Fittings
9.  The Hilt
10.  The Hilt Rings
11. The Sheath
12. The Mystical Aspect
13. Why I like the Keris...A technical and Cultural View
14. References
GALLERY
LINKS
Keris Cleaning During Muharram
THE Friends' Gallery

If you want to talk keris mail me at :
dspf@pacific.net.sg