Naga

Authors: Youla Azkarrula, Susanne M Hoffmann, Cheung Sze Leung

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Lintang Naga in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.752)

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

Balinese constellation: Naga (a dragon), re-drawn by Jessica Gullberg for the planetarium software Stellarium (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula & Jessica Gullberg)

Naga is a constellation used in several Indonesian sky culture. It projects mythological dragon into the sky. The dragon as a religious/divine creature that exists in many cultures in South East Asia from India to Indonesia (e.g. Cambodia, Thailand, Hong Kong, China ...). The Balinese astral calendar "Palelintangan" has "Naga" as one of 35 "lintang" (constellations). There naga is found in intersection of Wraspati (Thursday, in saptawara) and Kliwon (in pancawara).

Etymology and History

Naga (IPA: /ˈna.ɡa/, [ˈna.ɡa]) is inherited from Malay naga, and derived from Sanskrit नाग, nāgá, means “large snake”. Some languages borrow Sanskrit terms and have the same meaning as snake, namely: Iban, Indonesia, Italian, Javanese, Malay, Marano, Portuguese, Tagalog and Yakan. In Japanese, "naga" means "long", which perfectly fits the image of the serpent in the sky.

In Lithuanian, one of the oldest languages ​​in Europe and connected with Sanskrit, "naga" means nail. The German word for "nail" is "Nagel". The term for 'nude' in Germanic languages "naked" (English), "naakt" (Dutch), "nackt" (German), "naken" (Swedish & Norwegian) is also etymologically related. It all derives from the homophonous Sanskrit term "nāga" for gold/ iron/ metal.

Variants (name, spelling...)

The constellation in the sky is always called "Naga" but the divine creature has the following name variants (for explanation see below):

• Naga Besukih
• Antaboga
• Taksaka

Origin of Constellation

On Bali, Naga are legendary creatures and exist in the folklore of almost every tribe and civilization in the world. Naga could be referred to as a big snake, a big water snake or a dragon. Unlike in some civilizations which consider dragons to be evil monsters, in Bali, dragons are considered to be sacred figures who are able to guard the island of Bali. Apart from that, there are quite a few depictions of dragons in several places such as temples, houses, government offices and former buildings left over from the Balinese kingdom. Sometimes they also make dragon ornaments on keris (traditional Balinese dagger).

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).

Naga in the identification table by Maaß (1929). He calls the creature a dragon but identifies "Wasserschlange(?)" = Hydra.

Maaß (1929), p. 144: "eine Schlange. Bösartig und schlau; - sehr schlechte Denkungsart;" English: - a snake. Malicious and cunning; - very bad way of thinking;

Naga in India

Nāga, in Sanskrit and almost all Indian languages means a snake or cobra. Although it is not explicitly used as a name for any constellation the constellation Āśleṣā (Ashlesha (आश्लेषः)), is recognised as the head of a snake.

It is very difficult to trace the origin in general as is common with all Sanskrit words, but in most etymologies, it points to the word nāga (though the diacritical marks were not specified). There are 81 meanings for this word, but all images show a serpent / snake / cobra.

Name Variants:

• Vasuki,
• Adisesha,
• kalinga

In South India about 40% of the names (male and female) will start with naga.

Mythological stories involving snakes are abundant. For example, the ascending and descending nodes of the moon are called Rāhu and Ketu. Rahu has a human head and the body of a snake; it is the converse for Ketu. They both emerge as the two individual bodies when a demon’s head was chopped off. Snake worship is very common in India; people install stone idols of snakes even today.

Naga in other South Asian Cultures

"Naga" creatures exist in many Southeast Asian cultures.

Modern Distinctions: Bali vs. Mainland Southeast Asia (SEA)

While they share a name, the "taxonomical" differences between the two today are significant:

• Anatomy: Mainland SEA Nagas (Thailand/Cambodia/Laos/Myanmar) are fundamentally multi-headed serpents (3, 5, 7, or 9 heads). In contrast, the Balinese Naga is almost always single-headed.
• Visual Style: The Balinese Naga is a "Royal Dragon"—it wears a crown (Makuta), earrings, and often has a beard. The Mainland version is more serpentine, emphasizing the flared cobra hood.
• Symbolic Meaning: In the mainland, Nagas are primarily Guardians of the Buddha and water spirits. In Bali, they are Cosmic Stabilizers tied to the volcanic earth and the support of the world.

Evidence of a Shared Origin

Despite these modern differences, two key pieces of evidence link them to a singular source:

• Evidence 1: The Cosmic Churning (Cosmology) Both regions root their Naga lore in the Indian myth of the Samudra Manthan (Churning of the Ocean of Milk). In Bali, this is the Adi Parwa. The use of the Naga (Basuki) as the "churning rope" wrapped around a cosmic mountain is a shared blueprint that defines the spiritual architecture of both Balinese temples and Khmer monuments like Angkor Wat.
• Evidence 2: The Naga-Ship Tradition The "Naga-boat" is a cross-cultural phenomenon. Whether it is the Chinese Dragon Boat, the Mekong Naga Boats, or the Balinese Ritual Naga-Banda, they all share the belief that the boat is the physical body of the water-serpent. This tradition stems from an ancient "Monsoon Culture" where the river was seen as a living Naga that one must "ride" to navigate the world.

The Evolutionary Path: From India to the Islands

The divergence occurred based on the "cultural filter" through which the Indian Naga traveled:

1. The Indian Root (c. 1500 BCE): Originated as the Vedic Vritra and later the Puranic Shesha/Vasuki.
2. The Buddhist Branch (Mainland SEA): Traveled via land and sea to Angkor. It merged with local snake-worship to become the multi-headed protector of the Dharma.
3. The Javanese-Balinese Branch (Indonesia): Traveled via maritime trade routes. It was "ennobled" by Javanese court culture, gaining the crown and royal regalia, and was eventually re-contextualized to fit the volcanic landscape of Bali.

They are "taxonomically" distinct now. One can think of them like the Lion and the Tiger: they are both "Big Cats", but they have lived in different jungles for so long that they have developed different stripes.

In conclusion, the Balinese "Naga" is distinct regarding modern iconography, but the underlying "DNA" remains a shared heritage of the broader Indo-Pacific maritime exchange.

Transfer and Transformation

Interpretations of Naga in different cultures

• Naga in Cambodia. The term Naga in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism denotes divine. (CC BY Dmitry Makeev).
  Naga in Cambodia. The term Naga in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism denotes divine. (CC BY Dmitry Makeev).
• 
  modern park decoration in shape of a Naga-like dragon in Hefei, China
• A Naga, a half-man, half-snake creature (CC BY Greg Willis).
  A Naga, a half-man, half-snake creature (CC BY Greg Willis).
• Naga dragon statue at Olbrich Botanical Garden (CC BY צבוע לבנה).
  Naga dragon statue at Olbrich Botanical Garden (CC BY צבוע לבנה).
• Believed to be Vientiane’s oldest surviving temple, Wat Si Saket is famous for its cloister wall and rows of hundreds of seated Buddhas. (CC BY Philip Nalangan)
  Believed to be Vientiane’s oldest surviving temple, Wat Si Saket is famous for its cloister wall and rows of hundreds of seated Buddhas. (CC BY Philip Nalangan)
• Naga and Naga Kanya (snake god and goddess), from the Gond Country, India, on the Nerbudda (CC0 between 1850 and 1873 ).
  Naga and Naga Kanya (snake god and goddess), from the Gond Country, India, on the Nerbudda (CC0 between 1850 and 1873 ).
• Seven-headed naga from the entrance of an Angkor Thom gate (CC BY Gisling(zh:唐戈))
  Seven-headed naga from the entrance of an Angkor Thom gate (CC BY Gisling(zh:唐戈))

Mythology / Religion

Naga Besukih (Bali)

The presence of the Balinese mythological creature, Naga Besukih, cannot be separated from the folklore about the formation of the Bali Strait. The story involves Manik Angkeran who was the son of a Brahmin named Sidi Mantra.

Sidi Mantra was famous for his supernatural powers while his son, although brave and clever, apparently had a penchant for gambling which made him in debt. To free himself from debt, Sidi Mantra told Manik Angkeran to ask for a little treasure guarded by Naga Besukih in the crater of Mount Agung.

The dragon agreed to the request. However, Manik apparently repeated his bad habits so he secretly returned to Naga Besukih to give him help. Blinded by the treasure stored in Naga Besukih's body, Manik cut off the dragon's tail.

With his supernatural powers, Besukih managed to burn Manik to ashes when the dragon licked his tracks. Sidi Mantra then begged Naga Besukih to revive his son on the condition that his tail be returned.

With his magical powers, Sidi Mantra managed to restore the Dragon's tail and the child came back to life. Manik then apologized and promised not to repeat his actions. After disappearing, a water source appeared where Manik stood, which grew larger and larger. With his stick, Sidi Mantra made a dividing line with the child. That place later became the Bali Strait.

Antaboga

Antaboga or Anantaboga is a Balinese mythological creature who rules snakes from a puppet story. This creature has the form of a dragon snake with a crown and a gold necklace. According to local beliefs, Antaboga has many powers and one of them is the ability to revive dead bodies. This creature is said to live in Saptapralata or the seventh layer of the earth's base. He has a wife named Dewi Supreti who also has the form of a dragon and two children named Bambang Naga Tatmala and Dewi Nagini.

Taksaka

Taksaka or Taksa is one of the dragons, the son of Dewi Kadru and Kashyapa who lives in Nagaloka with his other brothers. In the Mahabharata legend, Naga Taksaka is the dragon who killed King Parikesit.

The story of Taksaka appears in the Adiparwa story where Dewi Kadru asks Resi Kasyapa to grant her a thousand children. Bagawan Kasyapa then gives a thousand eggs, from which dragons emerge, one of which is Taksaka. But in Balinese mythology, Taksaka is not a dragon but a snake who lives in Kahyangan.

Image Variants

• 
  Lintang Naga (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen)
• 
  Lintang Naga in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.746)
• 
  Lintang Naga in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.752)
• 
  Lintang Naga (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 Kliwon (in pancawara) has a value of 8. Thus, the total urip on this lintang is 16.

Astrological Characteristics

Often makes trouble for his enemies, his joys and sorrows are balanced, has talent in literature, always performs praises to God and is firm in meditation. His mantras and curses are bathing. Has many memories, has a clean heart. Unfortunately they are very easily offended and sensitive so that with this nature they are often swayed by their own feelings.

Matching Gemstones

Biduri bulan (moon stone), Nila (saphire), Kalimayah (Opal).

All HIP Stars within this constellation

Stars within the Constellation Area

id	Label	IAU design.	description	Vmag
1	Alphard	HIP 46390	within constellation lines	1.97
2	Gienah	HIP 59803	Inside the Hull	2.58
3	Kraz	HIP 61359	Inside the Hull	2.64
4	ϵ Corvi	HIP 59316	Inside the Hull	2.98
5	γ Hydrae	HIP 64962	within constellation lines	3
6	ζ Hydrae	HIP 43813	within constellation lines	3.1
7	ν Hydrae	HIP 52943	within constellation lines	3.11
8	Ashlesha	HIP 43109	within constellation lines	3.38
9	ξ Hydrae	HIP 56343	within constellation lines	3.54
10	δ Crateris	HIP 55282	Inside the Hull	3.56
11	λ Hydrae	HIP 49841	within constellation lines	3.61
12	μ Hydrae	HIP 51069	within constellation lines	3.81
13	Ukdah	HIP 47431	Inside the Hull	3.91
14	θ Hydrae	HIP 45336	Inside the Hull	3.91
15	Alchiba	HIP 59199	Inside the Hull	4.01
16	γ Crateris	HIP 55705	Inside the Hull	4.06
17	Alkes	HIP 53740	Inside the Hull	4.07
18	Zhang	HIP 48356	within constellation lines	4.11
19	ρ Hydrae	HIP 43234	Inside the Hull	4.337
20	β Crateris	HIP 54682	Inside the Hull	4.449
21	τ 2 Hydrae	HIP 46776	Inside the Hull	4.548
22	υ 2 Hydrae	HIP 49402	Inside the Hull	4.588
23	τ 1 Hydrae	HIP 46509	Inside the Hull	4.6
24	ζ Crateris	HIP 57283	Inside the Hull	4.706
25	ϵ Crateris	HIP 55687	Inside the Hull	4.802
26	U Hya	HIP 52009	Inside the Hull	4.82
27	ϕ 3 Hydrae	HIP 52085	Inside the Hull	4.903
28	ψ Hydrae	HIP 64166	Inside the Hull	4.934
29	λ Crateris	HIP 55598	Inside the Hull	5.09
30	-	HIP 56332	Inside the Hull	5.11
31	II Hya	HIP 57613	Inside the Hull	5.11
32	η Crateris	HIP 58188	Inside the Hull	5.16
33	ζ Corvi	HIP 60189	Inside the Hull	5.21
34	ϵ Sextantis	HIP 50414	Inside the Hull	5.24
35	-	HIP 53252	Inside the Hull	5.24
36	31 Crt	HIP 58587	Inside the Hull	5.264
37	303 G. Hya	HIP 58082	Inside the Hull	5.272
38	200 G. Hya	HIP 49809	Inside the Hull	5.296
39	-	HIP 46404	Inside the Hull	5.32
40	* gam Sex A	HIP 48437	Inside the Hull	5.43
41	-	HIP 52737	Inside the Hull	5.44
42	3 Crv	HIP 59394	Inside the Hull	5.47
43	ι Crateris	HIP 56802	Inside the Hull	5.48
44	-	HIP 54029	Inside the Hull	5.511
45	33 Hya	HIP 46982	Inside the Hull	5.548
46	-	HR 3750	Inside the Hull	5.56
47	-	HIP 51046	Inside the Hull	5.56
48	28 Hya	HIP 46221	Inside the Hull	5.579
49	225 G. Hya	HIP 51491	Inside the Hull	5.58
50	* 17 Crt A	HIP 56280	Inside the Hull	5.58
51	195 G. Hya	HIP 49569	Inside the Hull	5.582
52	18 Sex	HIP 49865	Inside the Hull	5.618
53	-	HIP 61015	Inside the Hull	5.63
54	-	HIP 53316	Inside the Hull	5.651
55	6 Crv	HIP 60425	Inside the Hull	5.658
56	* 17 Crt B	HIP 56280	Inside the Hull	5.671
57	236 G. Hya	HIP 51933	Inside the Hull	5.71
58	χ 2 Hydrae	HIP 54255	Inside the Hull	5.71
59	41 Sex	HIP 52980	Inside the Hull	5.791
60	-	HIP 59728	Inside the Hull	5.807
61	-	HIP 56078	Inside the Hull	5.813
62	-	HIP 52948	Inside the Hull	5.842
63	-	HIP 53778	Inside the Hull	5.857
64	-	HIP 53723	Inside the Hull	5.879
65	-	HIP 58158	Inside the Hull	5.893
66	17 Sex	HIP 49812	Inside the Hull	5.901
67	κ Crateris	HIP 55874	Inside the Hull	5.923
68	25 Sex	HIP 50885	Inside the Hull	5.97
69	-	HIP 60157	Inside the Hull	5.97
70	136 G. Hya	HIP 46288	Inside the Hull	5.985
71	ϕ 2 Hydrae	HIP 51905	Inside the Hull	6.012
72	6 Sex	HIP 48341	Inside the Hull	6.016
73	209 G. Hya	HIP 50536	Inside the Hull	6.027
74	-	HIP 61951	Inside the Hull	6.03
75	-	HIP 56364	Inside the Hull	6.044
76	243 G. Hya	HIP 52113	Inside the Hull	6.045
77	-	HIP 59895	Inside the Hull	6.07
78	-	HIP 50292	Inside the Hull	6.075
79	-	HIP 54214	Inside the Hull	6.086
80	-	HIP 49293	Inside the Hull	6.097
81	ψ Crateris	HIP 54742	Inside the Hull	6.105
82	157 G. Hya	HIP 46869	Inside the Hull	6.113
83	-	HIP 57732	Inside the Hull	6.122
84	146 G. Hya	HIP 46529	Inside the Hull	6.126
85	217 G. Hya	HIP 50790	Inside the Hull	6.13
86	81 G. Hya	HIP 43902	Inside the Hull	6.131
87	105 G. Hya	HIP 45167	Inside the Hull	6.131
88	-	HIP 56293	Inside the Hull	6.16
89	NS Hya	HIP 44738	Inside the Hull	6.17
90	TU Crv	HIP 61496	Inside the Hull	6.184
91	VX Crt	HIP 56899	Inside the Hull	6.19
92	-	HIP 56901	Inside the Hull	6.198
93	-	HIP 51490	Inside the Hull	6.2
94	-	HIP 57079	Inside the Hull	6.2
95	-	HIP 49900	Inside the Hull	6.225
96	245 G. Hya	HIP 52391	Inside the Hull	6.228
97	-	HIP 56245	Inside the Hull	6.228
98	199 G. Hya	HIP 49802	Inside the Hull	6.23
99	197 G. Hya	HIP 49689	Inside the Hull	6.244
100	159 G. Hya	HIP 46893	Inside the Hull	6.25
101	* psi Crt A	HIP 54742	Inside the Hull	6.25
102	-	HIP 61270	Inside the Hull	6.254
103	-	HIP 58574	Inside the Hull	6.255
104	147 G. Hya	HIP 46543	Inside the Hull	6.257
105	144 G. Hya	HIP 46504	Inside the Hull	6.27
106	337 G. Hya	HIP 63243	Inside the Hull	6.303
107	-	HIP 50584	Inside the Hull	6.308
108	37 Hya	HIP 47427	Inside the Hull	6.32
109	-	HIP 51490	Inside the Hull	6.32
110	-	HIP 53259	Inside the Hull	6.34
111	-	HIP 54048	Inside the Hull	6.343
112	71 G. Hya	HIP 43570	Inside the Hull	6.35
113	172 G. Hya	HIP 47454	Inside the Hull	6.356
114	-	HIP 53849	Inside the Hull	6.36
115	-	HIP 50552	Inside the Hull	6.361
116	-	HIP 54749	Inside the Hull	6.378
117	34 Hya	HIP 47249	Inside the Hull	6.39
118	-	HIP 61208	Inside the Hull	6.39
119	* gam Sex B	HIP 48437	Inside the Hull	6.4
120	332 G. Hya	HIP 62448	Inside the Hull	6.405
121	308 G. Hya	HIP 58436	Inside the Hull	6.416
122	-	HIP 48351	Inside the Hull	6.42
123	-	HIP 56830	Inside the Hull	6.42
124	274 G. Hya	HIP 54703	Inside the Hull	6.43
125	294 G. Hya	HIP 57001	Inside the Hull	6.44
126	258 G. Hya	HIP 53387	Inside the Hull	6.444
127	166 G. Hya	HIP 47242	Inside the Hull	6.46
128	-	HIP 48839	Inside the Hull	6.46
129	299 G. Hya	HIP 57749	Inside the Hull	6.477
130	233 G. Hya	HIP 51852	Inside the Hull	6.479
131	297 G. Hya	HIP 57507	Inside the Hull	6.48
132	-	HIP 50693	Inside the Hull	6.499
133	-	HIP 51656	Inside the Hull	6.5

IAU Working Group on Star Names

The name "Naga" was proposed to WGSN as a star name in 2025 based on the Balinese lintang (constellation). As the name "Naga" has a strong cultural significance in many South East Asian cultures, the WGSN agreed to use it as a star name. The name is proposed for the star gam Hya or HIP 64962 because of Naga's cultural significance on Bali where it designates a constellation. HIP 64962 is the star position is at the Naga's tail. Naga are mystical creatures with special powers. The famous Naga Basuki, in particular, is the one that is connected to the Bali Strait. When Manik Angkeran needed money to pay his gambling debts, he cut the Naga's tail that had gold in it. Check full mythology above. Constellation Naga is mentioned in Palelintangan Prasi, dating roughly 700 CE, and is still used in Bali.

On 22 Februrary 2026, WGSN decided to adopt the name Naga for γ Hya (SIMBAD).

References

• References (general)