Bali’s culture is rich with symbolism woven into every aspect of daily life, from temple gates to offerings, from textiles to sacred architecture. These symbols are not just decorative elements; they carry deep spiritual meaning and reflect the island’s unique blend of Hinduism, animism, and ancestral worship. Whether you’re a curious traveler or a culture enthusiast, here are 15 of the most important Balinese symbols you’ll encounter and what they truly mean.
1. Canang Sari
Every morning, nearly every doorstep, sidewalk, or temple in Bali is adorned with a small offering called Canang Sari. These are handcrafted trays made from palm leaves (young coconut or pandanus fibers), which house colorful flowers (frangipani, marigold, jasmine), rice grains, and incense sticks. Each offering is placed with intention, demonstrating gratitude to the Gods, even before the first glimpse of sunlight. According to local belief, neglecting to leave offerings can bring imbalance to both household and nature.
The story behind Canang Sari is rooted in Balinese Hindu philosophy. It is a daily act that maintains cosmic equilibrium (Tri Hita Karana). The colors and directions of the flower petals correspond to directional gods: white (east/Iswara), red (south/Brahma), yellow (west/Mahadeva), and blue/green (north/Vishnu). The rice and betel leaf represent human sustenance and community, and the incense smoke is believed to carry prayers upward. Thus, each element is symbolic, working in harmony to maintain spiritual order.
In practical terms, Canang Sari serves both a religious and social function. Balinese families create and offer these several times a day, during personal palm-leaf ceremonies (like breakfast rituals), or public temple offerings. Tourists should step around them, never on them, as doing so is considered highly disrespectful. Despite their humble appearance, these offerings are the backbone of daily spiritual life in Bali, symbolizing a constant connection between the human and the divine.
Read also: Bali Hinduism: What Makes It Different & Unique
2. Gebogan
Gebogan are elaborate, towering offerings carried atop the heads of women during major temple festivals such as Odalan or Galungan. Crafted with seasonal fruits (banana, pineapple, oranges), cakes, flowers, and sometimes currency, these offerings can reach several meters high. The time-honored skill of stacking them, without spilling, is a testament to devotion and poise, passed down through generations of temple-serving women.
Beyond their visual grandeur, Gebogan represent spiritual abundance and a gesture of self-offering. Each item is deliberately selected and arranged according to tradition, fruits facing inwards symbolize gratitude from the heart, while outward-facing petals catch blessings from gods. The practice is thought to bring blessings of fertility, prosperity, and communal harmony. Monumental gebogan in processions are believed to carry spiritual energy from the village into the temple, unifying both worlds.
On a cultural level, the gebogan also underscores the pivotal role of women in maintaining religious balance. Their elegant procession, heads bowed under the weight of the offering, reflect humility, strength, and shared spiritual responsibility. Visitors are encouraged to watch from a distance and respect the solemnity, taking photographs only with permission. In Bali, a grand gebogan isn’t just decoration, it’s a walking symbol of faith, artistry, and cultural continuity.
3. Penjor
Each skyward arched bamboo pole you see lining Balinese village streets during Galungan and Kuningan is a Penjor. Decorated with coconut leaves, edible offerings, rice, and sometimes toys or symbolic creatures, the pole curves toward the ground, resembling the tail of a mythical dragon. Constructed from tall bamboo and natural fibers, the penjor can reach eight to ten meters high and must stand firmly planted in the earth.
Symbolically, the penjor embodies Mount Agung and the cosmic spike linking heaven and earth. It represents the triumph of Dharma (cosmic order) over Adharma (chaos), especially when seen en masse at festival time. Creating a penjor is a family ritual: members gather bamboo shoot, weave decorations, and assemble it ritually, each aspect dedicated to spiritual prosperity and environmental appreciation.
For locals, penjor are both religious and artistic expressions. Their presence on the road marks sacred days and transforms every neighborhood into a ceremonial pathway. The energy of the poles is believed to guide ancestral spirits on their return journey during Galungan. Tourists can appreciate the artistry, but also participate respectfully, by not touching or dismantling them, and by observing how they integrate nature and spirituality into everyday village life.
4. Saput Poleng (Poleng Cloth)
You will often notice black-and-white checkered cloth wrapped around sacred trees, guardian statues, and temple gateways. Known as Saput Poleng, this cloth represents the Balinese belief in Rwa Bhineda, the coexistence of opposites: good and evil, light and dark, joy and sorrow. The squares are made from cotton, often dyed using traditional botanical techniques passed through generations.
Beyond its visual impact, poleng cloth is a marker of spiritual potency. Sometimes used to clothe demonic or guardian spirits, it serves to contain volatile energy or acknowledge its presence. Wrapped around a sacred banyan tree or temple gate, it signals respect and spiritual balance, earthly structures dressed in cosmic harmony.
In stories, it’s said that buto-buto (ancestral spirits) wear poleng to maintain their equilibrium. Tourists may spot it even on motorbikes or local scooters, these are believed to bring protection while traveling. When you see poleng, it’s an invitation to contemplate the intangible balance in Bali’s spiritual worldview: life’s dual nature woven into cloth and reality itself.
5. Candi Bentar
Standing before almost every major temple or royal compound on the island, the split gate known as Candi Bentar symbolizes the separating of the profane from the sacred. Carved from volcanic stone into two identical halves, its split design mimics the cosmic mountain Meru and reflects the twin forces of light and dark in Balinese belief.
Historically, Candi Bentar has roots in ancient Javanese temple architecture. Its creation was not just utilitarian but symbolic. By walking through the open center between the two halves, visitors symbolically ascend from the ordinary world to a sacred realm, carrying their offerings into spiritual territory. Balanced symmetry, decorative carvings of gods and demons, and weathered moss all add to its divine aura.
Local Balinese believe the gate is alive with spiritual guardians who watch over the threshold. The intricate carvings serve as both decoration and protective ward. Photograph it, respect it, but never climb on it or enter without modest dress (shoulders and knees covered), and a sash tied at the waist. Those who pass respectfully feel an almost tangible shift, a soft spiritual breeze, moving from everyday life into temple space.
Read also: Discover the Best Water Temple in Bali: A Spiritual Journey Through Bali’s Sacred Waters
6. Swastika & Swastiastu
One of the oldest symbols in Hindu tradition, the Swastika is positive and auspicious, representing well-being (Swasti). In Bali, you will find it carved in stone, painted on temples, or embroidered on ritual clothing. Swastiastu, meaning “peace within you,” is a Balinese greeting and blessing that incorporates the swastika’s fundamental energy: peace, prosperity, and divine blessing.
The Hindus of Bali use the swastika as a benign symbol, long before it was corrupted in the West. Seeing it etched on temple walls or printed on offerings signifies its power, a cosmic loop of good. It is believed to ward off evil forces and attract spiritual harmony. Many households inscribe miniature swastikas in their compound gates or on daily offerings to reinforce safety and sacred connection.
Interestingly, Balinese children learn from early age that swastika is a holy sign; they are taught to both draw and respect it. Whenever you hear “Swastiastu” spoken, know it’s more than a greeting, it’s a prayer for your well-being. Embodying ancient Hindu philosophy, it reminds locals and visitors alike of life’s underlying balance and spiritual good fortune.
7. Gamelan Instruments
The rhythmic echo of bronze gongs, metallophones, drums, and bamboo flutes in Bali isn’t mere performance, it’s a spiritual ritual. The Gamelan orchestra is believed to house spirits, and each instrument is consecrated before use. The shimmering vibrations weave sound into ceremony, trance dance, and temple offerings, aligning participants with cosmic rhythm.
Each village has its own gamelan ensemble, whose members typically learn music from childhood. The instruments are often made in Bali from locally mined bronze or bamboo and handcrafted by artisans. Their layered tones are more than melodic; Balinese believe they carry offerings to gods and invite harmony into society. During cremation ceremonies or temple festivals, gamelan is vital to maintain spiritual order.
Visitors will hear gamelan most often at Ubud Palace, local banjar halls, or during dance performances like Legong or Kecak. These musical pieces hold layers of meaning: choreography, mythology, communal identity, and spiritual invocation. The next time you listen, imagine the ripples reaching beyond human ears, into realms guided by divine sound.
8. Barong
The Barong, a majestic lion-like creature, is Bali’s embodiment of protection, benevolence, and spiritual balance. In myth, Barong leads the battle against Rangda, the demon queen, representing communal courage against inner chaos. The costume itself, made of wood, fur, and gilded fabric, is handcrafted locally, embellished with mirrors, gold leaf, and symbolic decorations.
Performance of the Barong dance is a sacred ritual. It involves trance, music, and role-playing ancient myths. Balinese believe that during the climax, the costume may be inhabited by the Barong spirit, capable of healing and spiritual purification. Dancers and attendees often report a sense of energy or altered consciousness during the performance.
Barong appearances at temple anniversaries or private ceremonies are considered blessings. Tourists viewing the dance are encouraged to participate respectfully, seated quietly, dressed modestly, and acknowledging the spiritual gravity behind the performance. Encountering Barong isn’t just cultural, it’s tapping into Bali’s protective heartbeat, where myth meets public ritual.
9. Rangda
Rangda is the fearsome counterpart of Barong, representing destruction, chaos, and the dark forces. With long fangs, sagging breasts, and wild hair, it’s the queen of demons and the enemy in the Barong dance. But rather than being purely evil, it symbolizes the necessary balance between life and death, creation and destruction.
Rangda masks are kept in sacred places and only brought out during specific ceremonies, usually accompanied by cleansing rituals. They are made with spiritual intent using wood, bones, hair, and offerings. The mask itself is considered alive, inhabited by Rangda’s energy during rituals.
Interestingly, Balinese people don’t fear Rangda, however they respect it. It teaches about the inevitability of decay and transformation. Its myth tells of a powerful widow turned dark sorceress, yet she remains a key figure in maintaining balance in the universe.
10. Tumpeng
Tumpeng is a cone-shaped rice offering, often made with yellow rice and served during ceremonial or celebratory events. The shape symbolizes Mount Meru, the spiritual axis in Hindu cosmology. Tumpeng represents gratitude, prosperity, and connection to the divine.
You will often see Tumpeng during temple anniversaries (odalan), birthdays, and religious holidays. It’s placed at the center of offerings and then shared after prayers, turning it into a symbol of unity. The side dishes surrounding the cone represent different aspects of life, from joy to challenge.
Making Tumpeng is an act of devotion. The rice is often dyed with turmeric, symbolizing blessings. It’s also seen as a miniature universe, where the tip points to God and the base to Earth. It serves both as a meal and a spiritual bridge between the human and the divine.
11. Tirta (Holy Water)
Tirta is sacred water used in nearly every religious ritual in Bali, from temple blessings to daily canang sari offerings. It’s often taken from springs considered holy, like Tirta Empul or Goa Gajah, then blessed by a priest to become Tirta Penglukatan (purifying water).
This water is sprinkled during prayers, used for washing faces or heads after blessings, and even consumed for healing. You’ll notice that Balinese people carry bottles of tirta home from temple ceremonies to bless their family members or living spaces.
The power of Tirta lies in its ability to cleanse both physically and spiritually. Many believe it carries divine vibration, and some say they’ve felt emotional release or clarity after receiving Tirta. It reminds people of their connection to nature and divinity in every drop.
12. Kulkul (Temple Drum)
Kulkul is a traditional wooden bell or drum placed in towers (bale kulkul) in temples and villages. It functions as a communication tool, announcing ceremonies, warnings, or community gatherings.
The sound of kulkul varies depending on the occasion. A rhythmic beat calls people to prayer; a rapid one may signal danger like fire or flooding. These instruments are carved from hollowed logs, often jackfruit wood, and blessed during a Melaspas (purification) ritual.
Beyond its practical use, kulkul symbolizes community and unity. Its echo ties villagers to tradition and reminds them of their spiritual duties. It’s a heartbeat of Balinese communal life.
13. Jepun Flower (Frangipani)
Jepun (frangipani) is a white or yellow flower with a sweet fragrance, commonly used in daily offerings and worn behind the ear by dancers or temple visitors. It represents purity, sincerity, and beauty. You will find jepun in every home, offered to the gods in canang sari, or scattered in flower baths during spa rituals. It’s often placed by women in their hair as part of traditional attire, symbolizing inner and outer beauty.
Balinese believe that the presence of this flower in offerings pleases the gods and elevates the prayer’s vibration. It’s also believed to cleanse emotional energy and attract good fortune.
14. Bajra (Priest Bell)
Bajra is a ritual bell held by Balinese high priests (pedanda) during ceremonies. It symbolizes divine energy and clarity, rung during mantras to call upon celestial beings. Crafted from silver or bronze, its clear ringing is believed to cut through negativity and align energy. It’s only used by trained spiritual leaders and is often accompanied by a holy water sprinkler (bija) during puja rituals.
Its sound marks sacred moments and creates an atmosphere of divine connection. For Balinese people, hearing the bajra ring is a reminder of their own spiritual essence.
15. Balinese Calendar (Pawukon)
The Pawukon calendar is a 210-day cycle used to determine holy days, ceremonies, and auspicious moments. It consists of overlapping week systems, making it unique among world calendars. You will find its use in temple schedules, marriage dates, and even planting seasons. Balinese priests and calendar keepers consult the Pawukon to align with cosmic timing.
The belief is that by following the Pawukon, people live in harmony with the universe. It reflects a worldview where time is cyclical, and each moment carries spiritual weight and intention.
Discovering Bali Through Its Sacred Symbols
Bali is more than just a tropical escape, it is a living, breathing tapestry of spiritual expression woven through symbols that carry centuries of meaning. From the towering Penjor swaying in the wind to the humble Canang Sari offerings placed with quiet devotion, each element reveals a deep connection between the seen and unseen worlds.
Understanding these sacred symbols doesn’t just enrich your travels. It invites you to witness the soul of the island, to see with the heart, and to respect the quiet wisdom of its people. So the next time you stroll past a Saput Poleng or walk through a Candi Bentar gate, you will know you are not just passing a structure, you are stepping into a story that continues to unfold every day in Bali.
