Sangkal Tikel

Authors: Youla Azkarrula, Susanne M Hoffmann

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Lintang Sangkal Tikel in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.746)

Lintang Sangkal Tikel in lontar Prasi Palelintangan (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen)

Balinese constellation: Sangkal Tikěl (a broken hoe), re-drawn by Jessica Gullberg for the planetarium software Stellarium (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula & Jessica Gullberg)

Sangkal Tikěl is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). The lintang of sangkal tikěl is found in intersection of Wraspati (Thursday, in saptawara) and Umanis (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang sangkal tikěl means a broken hoe constellation.

Etymology and History

Sangkal Tikěl (IPA: [saŋ.kəˈti.kəl])

Spelling Variants

• sangka tikěl

Origin of Constellation

Sangkal Tikěl is a broken hoe. Sangkal is a frame for tools containing a blade (e.g. plane, razor). A hoe is a rectangular tool made of wood, with a hole for a knife, and a handle. It is used to smooth wooden building materials. The various types of hoe are:

• Sangkal Pamiring: a hoe used to smooth wood that is difficult to smooth with a regular hoe.
• Sangkal Pangedong: a hoe used to smooth decorative grooves in wooden terraces.
• Sangkal Yuyu: a hoe made of iron, with an iron handle, shaped like a crab, used to smooth wood that is difficult to smooth with a regular hoe.

But Sangkal for this constellation is a hoe, a tool for Balinese farmers to cultivate the land, dig, level the land, and clear weeds in rice fields and gardens, especially in narrow areas that do not allow the use of heavy machinery.

General information

Identification of Balinese constellations (Maaß 1929, appendix).

The astronomical identification of the constellation is taken from Maaß (1929) 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 and his earlier work 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. 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).

Sangkal Tikel in the identification table by Maaß (1929). He mentioned this lintang is related to Mula constellation from Naksatra. There are also the star list of scorpionis.

Maaß (1929) p. 140:

"sangkal tikel, gebrochener Hobel; - sangal tikel; - ein Mann, dem beim Fällen eines Baumes der Stiel seines Beiles bricht."

English: sangkal tikel, broken plane; - sangal tikel; - a man whose axe handle breaks while felling a tree.

Mythology / Religion

Sangkal for Balinese people is a practical tool that is vital for their agriculture, as well as holding deep cultural meaning as a symbol of work, tradition, and the harmonious relationship between humans and nature (the concept of Pabelasan in Tri Hita Karana).

Image Variants

• 
  Lintang Sangkal Tikel (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen)
• 
  Lintang Sangkal Tikel in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.746)
• 
  Lintang Sangkal Tikel in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.752)
• 
  Lintang Sangkalatikel (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula taken in the ceiling of Taman Gili Klungkung Palace Bali)

Cultural Beliefs

Numerology (Neptu/Urip)

Wraspati (Thursday, in saptawara) has a value of 8 and Umanis (in pancawara) has a value of 5. Thus, the total urip on this lintang is 13.

Astrological Characteristics

All their actions bring danger, often plagued by sadness, have thoughts that are always changing, stealing and have difficulty finding happiness in their lives. They have noble ideals, are easy to get along with and are liked by many people. They like to be praised and like to interfere in other people's affairs.

Matching Gemstones

Mirah (Ruby), Ijo Ireng (Peros).

All HIP Stars within this constellation

Stars within the Constellation Area

id	Label	IAU design.	description	Vmag
1	Antares	HIP 80763	Inside the Hull	0.91
2	Shaula	HIP 85927	within constellation lines	1.63
3	Larawag	HIP 82396	within constellation lines	2.29
4	κ Scorpii	HIP 86670	within constellation lines	2.386
5	[SC96] Mis 162	[SC96] Mis 162	Inside the Hull	2.51
6	Lesath	HIP 85696	within constellation lines	2.65
7	Paikauhale	HIP 81266	Inside the Hull	2.81
8	Xamidimura	HIP 82514	within constellation lines	2.98
9	ι 1 Scorpii	HIP 87073	within constellation lines	2.992
10	η Scorpii	HIP 84143	within constellation lines	3.33
11	Pipirima	HIP 82545	Inside the Hull	3.542
12	Jabbah	HIP 79374	Inside the Hull	4
13	Q Sco	HIP 86170	Inside the Hull	4.267
14	Jabbah	HIP 79374	within constellation lines	4.349
15	ρ Ophiuchi	HIP 80473	Inside the Hull	4.63
16	22 Sco	HIP 80815	Inside the Hull	4.79
17	V1073 Sco	HIP 83574	Inside the Hull	4.87
18	-	HIP 83336	Inside the Hull	5.01
19	* rho Oph A	HIP 80473	Inside the Hull	5.05
20	* alf Sco B	HD 148479	Inside the Hull	5.2
21	27 Sco	HIP 82960	Inside the Hull	5.49
22	-	HIP 84401	Inside the Hull	5.53
23	-	HIP 84150	Inside the Hull	5.655
24	-	HIP 81741	Inside the Hull	5.836
25	-	HIP 85889	Inside the Hull	5.838
26	Gliese 667 A	HIP 84709	Inside the Hull	5.89
27	V923 Sco	HIP 83491	Inside the Hull	5.902
28	-	HIP 85048	Inside the Hull	5.914
29	-	HIP 83235	Inside the Hull	5.934
30	-	HIP 84425	Inside the Hull	5.95
31	-	HIP 83693	Inside the Hull	5.98
32	-	HIP 81992	Inside the Hull	5.982
33	-	HIP 85543	Inside the Hull	5.985
34	-	HIP 83100	Inside the Hull	6.048
35	-	HIP 80910	Inside the Hull	6.081
36	RR Sco	HIP 82912	Inside the Hull	6.1
37	-	HIP 84489	Inside the Hull	6.12
38	-	HIP 83706	Inside the Hull	6.13
39	-	HIP 82453	Inside the Hull	6.22
40	-	HIP 86246	Inside the Hull	6.27
41	-	HIP 84151	Inside the Hull	6.285
42	-	HIP 82855	Inside the Hull	6.32
43	-	HIP 82731	Inside the Hull	6.34
44	[SC96] Mis 201	[SC96] Mis 201	Inside the Hull	6.36
45	-	HR 6426	Inside the Hull	6.37
46	-	HIP 85019	Inside the Hull	6.419
47	-	HIP 84332	Inside the Hull	6.44
48	-	HIP 85020	Inside the Hull	6.44
49	-	HIP 81891	Inside the Hull	6.452
50	[SC96] GC 33	[SC96] GC 33	Inside the Hull	6.5

IAU Working Group on Star Names

In November 2025, it has been proposed to use the name "Sangkatikel" for a star in the area to preserve the Balinese heritage. The star kap Sco or HIP 86670 is in the axe tip. Constellation Bade is mentioned in Palelintangan Prasi, dating roughly 700 CE, and is still used in Bali.

References

• References (general)