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Laweyan is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). The lintang of laweyan is found in intersection of Rědite (Sunday, in saptawara) and Kliwon (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang laweyan means a headless demon constellation.<ref>Maass, Alfred, “Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen,” in Koninklijk Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, Feestbundel bij gelegenheid van zijn 150 jarig bestaan 1778-1928, 2 vols. (Weltevreden, 1929), Vol. 2, 126-157.</ref> | [[File:LintangLAWE.jpg|thumb|Lintang Goang in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.752)]] | ||
[[File:Kawanda.png|thumb|Lintang Kawanda in lontar Prasi Palelintangan (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen)]] | |||
Laweyan is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). The lintang of laweyan is found in intersection of Rědite (Sunday, in saptawara) and Kliwon (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang laweyan means a headless demon constellation.<ref name=":1">Maass, Alfred, “Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen,” in Koninklijk Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, Feestbundel bij gelegenheid van zijn 150 jarig bestaan 1778-1928, 2 vols. (Weltevreden, 1929), Vol. 2, 126-157.</ref> | |||
==Etymology and History== | ==Etymology and History== | ||
| Line 14: | Line 16: | ||
=== Origin of Constellation === | === Origin of Constellation === | ||
In relation to Palelintangan, | In relation to Palelintangan, Laweyan is referred to as [[Rahu]], which in Vedic tradition is the lunar ascending node. Meanwhile, Rahu, in Indian tradition, was adapted into Balinese mythology as Kala Rau (the giant Rau). The plot centers on the beheading of Kala Rau, who disguised himself as the god Kuwera to obtain the water of immortality, which grants immortality and defeats the evil giants of Balidwipa (the island of Bali). His disguise was revealed, and the god Vishnu threw his chakra into Kala Rau's neck. Kala Rau's body split in two. His head floated into the sky and became Rau. His body was thrown by the gods to Earth and became a mortar. This body became [[Ketu]] in the Indian Vedic tradition. Out of hatred for the moon goddess who had rejected his love, Rau's head swallowed the moon, causing an eclipse. The people of Balidwipa mourned the loss of the moon, so they pounded the mortar in an attempt to save the goddess Ratih. It was believed that pounding the mortar (Kala Rau's body) would hurt her, causing the moon to escape through his neck and return to the sky.<ref>Setyowati, Melinda, "Mitos Kala Rau," Sastra lisan (2017) https://www.scribd.com/document/401379597/Mitos-Kala-Rau</ref> | ||
In essence, Rahu-Ketu and Děpat | In essence, Rahu-Ketu and Laweyan-Děpat are distinct. Kala Rau's origins are not from the meditation of the goddess Durga, as Děpat and Laweyan do, but from the descendants of Wipracitti and Singhika. However, it seems that in the case of Palelintangan, they associate Laweyan with Rahu, thus giving the impression that lintang Laweyan is the same as Rahu, symbolized by the lunar ascending node. | ||
==== General information ==== | ==== General information ==== | ||
[[File:AlfredMaas1929 Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen ocr IdentTab cut.jpg|thumb|Identification of Balinese constellations (Maaß 1929, appendix). ]] | [[File:AlfredMaas1929 Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen ocr IdentTab cut.jpg|thumb|Identification of Balinese constellations (Maaß 1929, appendix). ]] | ||
The astronomical identification of the constellation is taken from Maaß (1929)<ref name=":1" /> who explains in general that these constellations and the according ritual practice <blockquote>"sind seit alten Zeiten in einem Werk ,,wariga" niedergelegt, in dem wir zwei Kulturschichten, nämlich indische | The astronomical identification of the constellation is taken from Maaß (1929)<ref name=":1"/> who explains in general that these constellations and the according ritual practice <blockquote>"sind seit alten Zeiten in einem Werk ,,wariga" niedergelegt, in dem wir zwei Kulturschichten, nämlich indische und malaio-polynesische Bestandteile wiederfinden." </blockquote><blockquote>'''English:''' "are written down in a work called "wariga" since old times; there we recognise two cultural layers, i.e. the Indian and the Malayo-Polynesian."</blockquote>He also quotes other scholars<ref>Friedrich, R. (1849). Voorloopig verslag van het eiland Bali, Batavia, Verb. Bat Gen. Deel 23, Nr. 13</ref><ref>HINLOOPEN LABBERT0N, D. VAN (1910). Geillustreerd handboek van Insulinde. Amsterdam: "Vivat"</ref><ref>PIGEAUD, TH. (1925). Een stuk over sterrenkunde uit het Anggastyaparwwa ...... Weltevreden: Albrecht. Tijdsch. v. lnd, T.-, L.- en Vk. deel LXV</ref><ref>Nieuwenkamp, W. O. J. (1905), Schetsen van Bali en Lombok. (Eigen Haard)</ref> and his earlier work<ref>MAASS, ALFRED (1920). Sterne und Sternbilder im malaiischen Archipel. Berlin. Zeitschrift für Ethnologie Jg. 1920/21, H. 1</ref><ref>MAASS, ALFRED (1924). Sternkunde und Sterndeuterei im malaiischen Archipel. Batavia, den Haag. Tijdsch. v. T.-, L.-en Vk. deel LX IV</ref> reporting that this work dates back to the 9th century CE when Bali was part of a Hindu empire on the neighbouring island of Java.<ref name=":1" /> Neubronner van der Tuuk even uses the Old Javanese spelling. | ||
==== Identification ==== | ==== Identification ==== | ||
The identifications, Maaß (1929) gives according to the aforementioned and his own studies during visits of the country and in European and Batavian libraries (p.150).<ref name=":1" /> | The identifications, Maaß (1929) gives according to the aforementioned and his own studies during visits of the country and in European and Batavian libraries (p.150).<ref name=":1" /> | ||
[[File:Screenshot 2026-02-04 133919.png|center|thumb|900x900px|Kawanda in the identification table by Maaß (1929). He mentioned "Drachenkopf, aufsteigender Mondknoten" which means "Dragon's head, ascending lunar node".]] | |||
=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation === | === Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation === | ||
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<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Kawanda.png|Lintang Kawanda (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen) | File:Kawanda.png|Lintang Kawanda (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen) | ||
File:Lintang | File:LinLAWEYAN.jpg|Lintang Laweyan in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.746) | ||
File:LintangLAWE.jpg|Lintang Goang in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.752) | |||
File:Lintang Gowang.jpg|Lintang Gowang (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula taken in the ceiling of Taman Gili Klungkung Palace Bali) | File:Lintang Gowang.jpg|Lintang Gowang (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula taken in the ceiling of Taman Gili Klungkung Palace Bali) | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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== All HIP Stars within this constellation == | == All HIP Stars within this constellation == | ||
Balinese take the lunar | Balinese take the lunar ascending node as their lintang, which also in the same case for Rahu in Vedic Jyotish. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
Latest revision as of 15:11, 4 February 2026
Authors: Youla Azkarrula, Susanne M Hoffmann
Laweyan is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). The lintang of laweyan is found in intersection of Rědite (Sunday, in saptawara) and Kliwon (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang laweyan means a headless demon constellation.[1]
Etymology and History
Laweyan (IPA: /lawɛjan/[lawɛjan] is Balinese term.
Spelling Variants
- lawean
- kawanda
- gowang
- gumawang
Origin of Constellation
In relation to Palelintangan, Laweyan is referred to as Rahu (राहु), which in Vedic tradition is the lunar ascending node. Meanwhile, Rahu, in Indian tradition, was adapted into Balinese mythology as Kala Rau (the giant Rau). The plot centers on the beheading of Kala Rau, who disguised himself as the god Kuwera to obtain the water of immortality, which grants immortality and defeats the evil giants of Balidwipa (the island of Bali). His disguise was revealed, and the god Vishnu threw his chakra into Kala Rau's neck. Kala Rau's body split in two. His head floated into the sky and became Rau. His body was thrown by the gods to Earth and became a mortar. This body became Ketu (केतु) in the Indian Vedic tradition. Out of hatred for the moon goddess who had rejected his love, Rau's head swallowed the moon, causing an eclipse. The people of Balidwipa mourned the loss of the moon, so they pounded the mortar in an attempt to save the goddess Ratih. It was believed that pounding the mortar (Kala Rau's body) would hurt her, causing the moon to escape through his neck and return to the sky.[2]
In essence, Rahu-Ketu and Laweyan-Děpat are distinct. Kala Rau's origins are not from the meditation of the goddess Durga, as Děpat and Laweyan do, but from the descendants of Wipracitti and Singhika. However, it seems that in the case of Palelintangan, they associate Laweyan with Rahu, thus giving the impression that lintang Laweyan is the same as Rahu, symbolized by the lunar ascending node.
General information
The astronomical identification of the constellation is taken from Maaß (1929)[1] who explains in general that these constellations and the according ritual practice
"sind seit alten Zeiten in einem Werk ,,wariga" niedergelegt, in dem wir zwei Kulturschichten, nämlich indische und malaio-polynesische Bestandteile wiederfinden."
English: "are written down in a work called "wariga" since old times; there we recognise two cultural layers, i.e. the Indian and the Malayo-Polynesian."
He also quotes other scholars[3][4][5][6] and his earlier work[7][8] reporting that this work dates back to the 9th century CE when Bali was part of a Hindu empire on the neighbouring island of Java.[1] Neubronner van der Tuuk even uses the Old Javanese spelling.
Identification
The identifications, Maaß (1929) gives according to the aforementioned and his own studies during visits of the country and in European and Batavian libraries (p.150).[1]
Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation
Mythology / Religion
Laweyan is a spirit creature that takes the form of a headless human. Some also say that Laweyan is just a body, lacking a head, arms, or legs. Laweyan is a creature created by the Goddess Durga from human corpses whose heads have been separated from their bodies, or from corpses that only have the torso remaining.
It is said that if a corpse has been buried for a long time and has not been cremated, Goddess Durga will send Laweyan, along with several other spirits such as Jerangkong (a living skull), Kemangmang (a head demon), Bangke Maong (a rotting corpse), and others, to visit the deceased's family through dreams. They will remind the family that the corpse is in their current condition, similar to theirs, so that the deceased can receive a proper cremation ceremony.
According to those who have seen him, Laweyan often appears on the streets around cemeteries. When viewed from behind, Laweyan appears to be an ordinary human walking with his head down, with long hair, a bare chest, and only a sarong. However, when he turns around, he has no head, and his face is on his chest, while his long hair grows from his neck.
Laweyan rarely reveals himself to humans intentionally, except when we have committed a crime, when he has the right to disturb us by frightening us, and even then only to remind us of our mistakes.
Image Variants
-
Lintang Kawanda (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen) -
Lintang Laweyan in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.746) -
Lintang Goang in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.752) -
Lintang Gowang (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula taken in the ceiling of Taman Gili Klungkung Palace Bali)
Cultural Beliefs
Numerology (Neptu/Urip)
Rědite (Sunday, in saptawara) has a value of 5 and Kliwon (in pancawara) has a value of 8. Thus, the total urip on this lintang is 13.[9]
Astrological Characteristics
Generally, they are patient, polite, good at debating, but they unknowingly like torturing themselves, do not want to listen to advice, gamblers, and are mischievous. Avoid jobs that are of bad quality, because there is danger lurking. If born a good woman takes care of the child, because there is a tendency for her child to die.[9]
Matching Gemstones
Kecubung (amethyst), Cempaka (yeloow saphire ), Ijo Rangreng (peros).[9]
Weblinks
All HIP Stars within this constellation
Balinese take the lunar ascending node as their lintang, which also in the same case for Rahu in Vedic Jyotish.
References
- References (general)
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Maass, Alfred, “Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen,” in Koninklijk Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, Feestbundel bij gelegenheid van zijn 150 jarig bestaan 1778-1928, 2 vols. (Weltevreden, 1929), Vol. 2, 126-157.
- ↑ Setyowati, Melinda, "Mitos Kala Rau," Sastra lisan (2017) https://www.scribd.com/document/401379597/Mitos-Kala-Rau
- ↑ Friedrich, R. (1849). Voorloopig verslag van het eiland Bali, Batavia, Verb. Bat Gen. Deel 23, Nr. 13
- ↑ HINLOOPEN LABBERT0N, D. VAN (1910). Geillustreerd handboek van Insulinde. Amsterdam: "Vivat"
- ↑ PIGEAUD, TH. (1925). Een stuk over sterrenkunde uit het Anggastyaparwwa ...... Weltevreden: Albrecht. Tijdsch. v. lnd, T.-, L.- en Vk. deel LXV
- ↑ Nieuwenkamp, W. O. J. (1905), Schetsen van Bali en Lombok. (Eigen Haard)
- ↑ MAASS, ALFRED (1920). Sterne und Sternbilder im malaiischen Archipel. Berlin. Zeitschrift für Ethnologie Jg. 1920/21, H. 1
- ↑ MAASS, ALFRED (1924). Sternkunde und Sterndeuterei im malaiischen Archipel. Batavia, den Haag. Tijdsch. v. T.-, L.-en Vk. deel LX IV
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Tim Kajian Palelintangan, “Gabungan Kajian Palelintangan,” Museum Bali (2021), 1-149.
