Last year, a client asked for a "traditional Balinese pattern" for her villa in Ubud. When I showed her images of authentic kawung and parang motifs, she hesitated. "These look beautiful," she said, "but what do they mean?" It's a question I hear often from international clients who appreciate Balinese aesthetics but want to understand the deeper meaning before incorporating these sacred patterns into their homes. In Bali, motifs aren't merely decorative—they're visual prayers, philosophical teachings, and connections to the divine. This article explores the spiritual wisdom behind traditional Balinese patterns and how they transform stained glass from mere decoration into meaningful art.
The Living Language of Balinese Motifs
Unlike Western decorative patterns that often prioritize visual appeal alone, Balinese motifs form a living language that communicates spiritual concepts, social values, and cosmic principles. Each curve, angle, and repetition carries meaning passed down through generations. In traditional Balinese culture, these patterns aren't chosen arbitrarily—they're selected based on purpose, location, and the spiritual needs of the space.
As a Balinese artisan trained in both traditional wood carving and modern glass techniques, I've learned that understanding these patterns begins with recognizing they're not merely "designs" but aksara dewa (divine letters)—a visual language connecting the physical and spiritual realms. When we translate these motifs into stained glass, we're not just creating beautiful light effects; we're creating conduits for meaning and energy.
Key Traditional Motifs and Their Meanings
While Bali has hundreds of traditional patterns, certain motifs appear frequently in both historical and contemporary contexts. Understanding their meanings helps ensure respectful and meaningful integration into modern spaces.
Essential Balinese Motifs:
- Kawung: Inspired by the cross-section of a young coconut, this circular motif represents purity, perfection, and the four cardinal directions. In spiritual terms, it symbolizes the void from which all creation emerges. When rendered in stained glass with deep reds and golds, it creates a powerful focal point that honors local heritage while adding modern elegance.
- Parang: The "knife" pattern, with its repeating diagonal lines, symbolizes strength, protection, and the cutting away of negativity. Different variations (Parang Rusak, Parang Barong) convey specific meanings related to spiritual warfare and protection. In glass, these dynamic lines create beautiful light patterns that shift throughout the day.
- Udeng: Representing the traditional Balinese headcloth, this motif signifies wisdom, dignity, and spiritual focus. Its flowing lines translate beautifully to stained glass, creating gentle waves of color that evoke a sense of calm and centeredness.
- Lebah: The "bee" pattern, with its hexagonal cells, represents community, cooperation, and the interconnectedness of all life. In glass installations, this motif creates stunning geometric patterns that play with light in fascinating ways.
One of my most meaningful projects involved creating a stained glass installation for a healing center in Gianyar. After consulting with local pemangku (temple priests), we selected the kawung motif in varying scales, creating a visual rhythm that guides guests through the space. The color palette—soft golds transitioning to deep blues—was chosen to represent the journey from earthly concerns to spiritual awareness. Clients regularly comment on how the light through this installation creates a palpable shift in energy as they move through the space.
Color Symbolism in Balinese Tradition
In Balinese culture, color carries profound spiritual significance—a dimension often overlooked when motifs are adapted without cultural context. Traditional color symbolism follows the panca warna (five colors) system, each representing different aspects of existence and consciousness.
White (ipis) represents purity, spiritual awareness, and the direction east. Red (meglaluh) symbolizes courage, vitality, and the south. Black (katep) stands for mystery, the unknown, and the west. Yellow (gede) signifies wisdom, prosperity, and the north. Blue (teges) represents divinity, infinity, and the center direction.
For a recent project in a meditation space, I worked with a client to create a glass installation using the parang motif in a carefully balanced color scheme. The lower portion used grounding reds and yellows, transitioning to whites and blues toward the top—symbolizing the journey from earthly concerns to spiritual awareness. The client, who practices yoga daily, reported that the changing light throughout the day created a natural rhythm for her practice, with morning light emphasizing the grounding colors and afternoon light highlighting the spiritual ones.
Modern Interpretations with Cultural Respect
One of the most frequent questions I receive is how to incorporate traditional motifs respectfully in contemporary settings. The answer lies in understanding which motifs have sacred restrictions and which can be adapted freely.
Some patterns, like the mega mendung (cloud motif) from Cirebon (though popular in Bali), have specific religious contexts and should be used with guidance from cultural experts. Others, like the kawung or lebah, have broader applications but still benefit from understanding their meaning.
A memorable project involved a young Balinese couple who wanted to honor their heritage in their minimalist Seminyak apartment. Rather than using literal traditional motifs, we developed an abstract interpretation of the udeng pattern using clean lines and a restrained palette of indigo and cream. The result was contemporary enough for their aesthetic but still carried the spiritual essence of the original motif. They now use the space for morning canang sari offerings, with the stained glass casting symbolic patterns across their offering table.
Selecting Motifs Based on Space and Purpose
Not all motifs suit all spaces. Traditional Balinese design considers the function of a space when selecting patterns—a principle that translates beautifully to stained glass installations.
Motif Selection by Space:
- Meditation/Yoga Spaces: Opt for flowing patterns like udeng or abstract mega mendung that encourage calm and focus. Avoid sharp, aggressive motifs like certain parang variations.
- Entryways: Use protective motifs like parang or kawung to create a spiritual threshold between outside and inside worlds.
- Bedrooms: Choose gentle, nurturing patterns like lebah or simplified kawung that promote rest and harmony.
- Living Areas: Consider community-oriented motifs like lebah that symbolize interconnectedness and social harmony.
- Study/Work Areas: Opt for motifs associated with wisdom like certain udeng variations that encourage focus and clarity.
One of my most rewarding projects involved a family in Ubud who wanted to transform their hallway into a meaningful transition space between public and private areas of their home. We installed a series of small stained glass panels with a motif inspired by traditional Balinese canang sari offerings, using colors that shifted from warm to cool as you moved through the hallway. The result was a space that didn't just connect rooms—it created an intentional journey, with each step marked by a subtle shift in light and color that prepared residents for the change in space purpose.
Beyond Decoration: Glass as Spiritual Connection
When you incorporate traditional Balinese motifs into your stained glass, you're not merely adding decoration—you're creating a living connection to centuries of spiritual wisdom. The right motif, thoughtfully selected and respectfully adapted, transforms light into meaning, turning ordinary spaces into places of resonance and purpose.
At Era Glass Bali, we don't just create beautiful glass—we help you create spaces that honor both tradition and your personal journey, with designs that carry meaning as deep as the light they transform.
Create Meaningful Glass Art