Introduction
In Western Culture coloring process is based on the physical and psychical approaches, then in the east are generally coupled with symbolic elements and supernatural phylosophy. The philosophy of color in Bali is an example of this. Color composition approach in Bali made of those three things (physical, psychic and supernatural).
In the golden age of Bali empire at XV century philosophy has been known about the color. The Philosophy of color which been use by the people of Bali, has lived as long as Greece civilization. Because the philosophy of Bali probably originated from the India Hinduism philosophy, which has growth, experienced and take the long journey.
The 'Nawa Sanga' Coloring Scheme
Philosophy of color in Bali is called 'Panca Maha Butha'. Aristotle says elements of the color contains of water, fire, air and soil, while in Bali plus one element of the Akasa or aether or an empty space. Color composition Bali called 'Rajah Nawasanga', which consists of nine color (sanga = Nine), which is connected with the name of god and the direction of the wind. Seen in the following chart:
'Nawa Sanga' can mean nine colors or nine cardinal directions. 'Nawa' Sanga visual form of a lotus flower (padma) or chakra (circle shaped). The term 'Rajah Nawa Sanga'has been called, because the color of the people of Bali are still associated with supernatural things, is often used in ritual, magic / metaphysics, and used as sacrifice (rajah = sacrifice).
Color differences in Bali (or the ‘eastern’ in general) with Western countries, base on western people's thinking that black and white not included in the colors class (physical approach), because white is a mixture of all colors and quite important role, as well as Japanese philosophy.
There are similarities subtractive color theory in Bali and the theory of the Munsell color system. If the black color in Bali is located in the middle of the circle, then in the Munsell system black and white is the color axis.
'Nawa Sanga' Color Use in Art and Design
In Bali, the color is a physical and spiritual expression are reflected in various works of traditional art like painting, which has a 'Nawa sanga' color scheme to the tint color.
Traditional Balinese cloth fabric called 'prada', 'songket' and the cloth 'gringsing' usually used for the 'Pawiwahan' (marriage), 'mepandes' (cutting teeth) or burning the corpse (Ngaben) ceremonies. Fabrics are used both by women and men. Another usage is as an home décor element decor when large ceremony was held.
The Colors Arrangement of the fabrics base on rajah 'Nawa Sanga' rule. Usually the color of 'prada' fabric using a pure color (high brightness level), such as blue, red, gold, yellow and green. the lotus flower (padma) ornament which been use to combined it. There is another kind of cloth which is more commercial called 'endek’ fabric or hand weaving fabric. The ‘Endek’ fabric color use a bright color (Tint). The 'endek' fabric usually use as man ‘sarong’, but now 'endek' fabric has become the official fashion in a Bali government office.
Usually the colors which allocated for tourism product, more bright and varied, not according to the provisions of the rajah 'Nawa Sanga'.
In the Implemented color into offerings making in Bali, the color of fruits and flowers all arranged in a Panca-puspa or five different colors, namely red, yellow, blue, white and black according to the Balinese Hindu belief, to offer to the god Iswara , Brahma, Mahadeva, Sambu and Vishnu.
The Balinese coffins painting that will be used for the Ngaben ceremony with white , also has a symbolic purpose. This shows that the bodies belong to the white caste (brahmana or warrior) instead of the class of people mostly (sudra or weisya). All coloring step which been use in ceremony has a symbolic value for the Balinese Hindu belief.
Source:
Darmaprawira WA, Sulasmi, 2002, Warna: Teori dan Kreativitas Penggunaannya Edisi ke-2, Bandung, Penerbit ITB
Krisna, M, Oktober 1985, Mengenal Warna Tradisional Bali, Majalah Asri
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