Udang

From All Skies Encyclopaedia

Authors: Youla Azkarrula, Susanne M Hoffmann

Lintang Makara in the cloth (CC-BY UPTD Museum Bali Inventary no. 09.752)
Lintang Hudang in lontar Prasi Palelintangan (CC-BY Alfred Maaß, (1929), Astrologische Kalender der Balinesen)
Balinese constellation: Udang (a prawn), re-drawn by Jessica Gullberg for the planetarium software Stellarium (CC-BY Youla Azkarrula & Jessica Gullberg)

Udang is an Oceanic name from Bali (Indonesia). The lintang of udang is found in intersection of Sukra (Friday, in saptawara) and Kliwon (in pancawara) in a series of palelintangan. Lintang udang means prawn constellation.[1] Udang plays an important role in the economic sector. The shrimps are also used in purification offerings, banten sesayut, as a symbol of cleansing and balancing the elements of the sea.

Etymology and History

Udang (IPA: [ˈu.daŋ]), means shrimp.

Spelling Variants

  • hudang
  • urang
  • makara *)

*) Interestingly, the term "makara" is from the Indian Vedic tradition, there designating an elephant-fish or crocodile-like creature. It is seen in the same area of the sky (Capricornus) but is definitely not a shrimp or crab.

Origin of Constellation

Stamp of Indonesia - 2004 - Colnect 280262 - Traditional Food - Sambal udang terung pipit

For Balinese people, shrimp is primarily viewed as a food commodity with high economic value and a key ingredient in Balinese cuisine. Shrimp, particularly whiteleg and tiger shrimp, is a leading fishery commodity in Bali with significant economic potential. The local and central governments fully support the development of shrimp cultivation in various regions in Bali, such as Jembrana and Buleleng, to meet local and export market demand. Shrimp is considered a source of high-quality protein with health benefits. Government campaigns to promote the consumption of fish and seafood, including shrimp, are also being promoted in Bali.[2]

Furthermore, shrimp symbolize good fortune and fertility, which are expected to bring prosperity to the community. This is reflected in the Balinese batik art, Batik Ulamsari Mas, which depicts fish and shrimp.

General information

Identification of Balinese constellations (Maaß 1929, appendix).

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]

Udang in the identification table by Maaß (1929). He gives "Steinbock" (Capricornus) as identification, but it is unclear whether the entire constellation is meant.

Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation

Mythology / Religion

Pura Dalem Sempua, located in Dalung Village, North Kuta District, Badung Regency, is known as a sacred Balinese Hindu site filled with mystical aura. Anyone entering this area must strictly adhere to a number of taboos. One of them is that the entire family of the priest is also strictly prohibited from consuming shrimp. This is because the "due" (guardian of the temple area) at Pura Dalem Sempua is in the form of tailless julit fish, tailless snakehead fish, and shrimp.

Image Variants

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

Cultural Beliefs

Numerology (Neptu/Urip)

Sukra (Friday, in saptawara) has a value of 6 and Kliwon (in pancawara) has a value of 8. Thus, the total urip on this lintang is 14.[9]

Astrological Characteristics

Initially living in poverty but in old age can find happiness, rich in gold and silver, their fortune comes quickly. They are skilled in leading so that prosperity quickly comes to their followers.[9]

Matching Gemstones

Mirah (ruby), Nila (saphire).[9]

All HIP Stars within this constellation

Stars within the Constellation Area

id Label IAU design. description Vmag
1 Deneb Algedi HIP 107556 within constellation lines 2.83
2 Dabih HIP 100345 within constellation lines 3.08
3 Algedi HIP 100064 within constellation lines 3.58
4 Nashira HIP 106985 within constellation lines 3.67
5 ζ Capricorni HIP 105881 within constellation lines 3.74
6 θ Capricorni HIP 104139 Inside the Hull 4.07
7 ω Capricorni HIP 102978 within constellation lines 4.12
8 ψ Capricorni HIP 102485 within constellation lines 4.122
9 ι Capricorni HIP 105515 Inside the Hull 4.27
10 Alshat HIP 100310 Inside the Hull 4.76
11 η Capricorni HIP 104019 Inside the Hull 4.84
12 * rho Cap A HIP 101027 Inside the Hull 4.93
13 υ Capricorni HIP 101984 Inside the Hull 5.1
14 ϕ Capricorni HIP 104963 Inside the Hull 5.152
15 χ Capricorni HIP 104365 Inside the Hull 5.316
16 29 Cap HIP 104974 Inside the Hull 5.317
17 33 Cap HIP 105665 Inside the Hull 5.366
18 * 14 Cap A HIP 101923 Inside the Hull 5.38
19 30 Cap HIP 105143 Inside the Hull 5.383
20 - HIP 105576 Inside the Hull 5.6
21 35 Cap HIP 105928 Inside the Hull 5.76
22 19 Cap HIP 103226 Inside the Hull 5.782
23 - HIP 102026 Inside the Hull 5.799
24 - HIP 102772 Inside the Hull 5.849
25 - HIP 103460 Inside the Hull 5.869
26 17 Cap HIP 102487 Inside the Hull 5.902
27 DV Aqr HIP 103545 Inside the Hull 5.963
28 - HIP 104914 Inside the Hull 6.037
29 21 Cap HIP 103703 Inside the Hull 6.05
30 - HIP 101221 Inside the Hull 6.11
31 - HIP 101507 Inside the Hull 6.116
32 - HIP 104297 Inside the Hull 6.17
33 - HIP 101608 Inside the Hull 6.177
34 - HIP 102780 Inside the Hull 6.193
35 27 Cap HIP 104452 Inside the Hull 6.242
36 20 Cap HIP 103616 Inside the Hull 6.25
37 - HIP 101011 Inside the Hull 6.41
38 - HR 7989 Inside the Hull 6.47

IAU Working Group on Star Names

In November 2025, it has been proposed to use the name "Udang" for a star in the area to preserve the Balinese heritage. The star Theta Capricorni (θ Cap), HIP 104139, is in the body of the shrimp. Constellation Udang is mentioned in Palelintangan Prasi, dating roughly 700 CE, and is still used in Bali.

In February 2026, the name Udang was adopted as star name for θ Cap (SIMBAD) in Capricornus.

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. ↑ Susanto, Agus, "KKP Mendorong Inovasi Konsumsi Udang—Lezat, Praktis, Bernutrisi!" (2025) https://kabarnusa.com/kkp-mendorong-inovasi-konsumsi-udang-lezat-praktis-bernutrisi/
  3. ↑ Friedrich, R. (1849). Voorloopig verslag van het eiland Bali, Batavia, Verb. Bat Gen. Deel 23, Nr. 13
  4. ↑ HINLOOPEN LABBERT0N, D. VAN (1910). Geillustreerd handboek van Insulinde. Amsterdam: "Vivat"
  5. ↑ PIGEAUD, TH. (1925). Een stuk over sterrenkunde uit het Anggastyaparwwa ...... Weltevreden: Albrecht. Tijdsch. v. lnd, T.-, L.- en Vk. deel LXV
  6. ↑ Nieuwenkamp, W. O. J. (1905), Schetsen van Bali en Lombok. (Eigen Haard)
  7. ↑ MAASS, ALFRED (1920). Sterne und Sternbilder im malaiischen Archipel. Berlin. Zeitschrift für Ethnologie Jg. 1920/21, H. 1
  8. ↑ MAASS, ALFRED (1924). Sternkunde und Sterndeuterei im malaiischen Archipel. Batavia, den Haag. Tijdsch. v. T.-, L.-en Vk. deel LX IV
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Tim Kajian Palelintangan, “Gabungan Kajian Palelintangan,” Museum Bali (2021), 1-149.
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