Loro Blonyo, Symbol of Prosperity and Offspring

High 70cm - 67cm

Wide 27cm - 26cm

We often encounter a pair of brides sitting cross-legged in wedding venues in the form of statues. The statue is named Loro Blonyo. History records that the Loro Blonyo statue has actually existed since the reign of Sultan Agung in the Mataram Kingdom in 1476.

The female statue is a symbol of Dewi Sri, also known as the Goddess of Fertility. While the male statue is a representation of Lord Vishnu. The two of them then met and became a couple. Thanks to the harmony, in the end this couple made a statue that resembled them and named Loro Blonyo which means a symbol of prosperity and offspring or can also be called prosperity and continuity.

The male statue wears a black kanigara kuluk (headgear of kings) with yellow stripes arranged vertically and circularly, and uses a setagen-like belt and is given a circular belt. The position of the ngapurancang hands (the position of both hands placed above the navel) and the position of the legs crossed with the soles of the toes are shown.

Then, the statue of the woman wears typical Javanese clothing, namely a kemben and is added with paes (makeup) decoration on the forehead. Complete the bun with the crown at the top and use a mentul sunduk (a kind of decoration in the hair). The position of the feet is limp (respect) with the soles and toes of the right and left visible.

According to historical records, the Loro Blonyo statue is closely related to culture and culture. Only Javanese ethnic aristocrats have it. In the joglo house belonging to the aristocrats, the statue of Loro Blonyo is placed in the sentong or the middle part of the house. This section is considered as the personal territory of husband and wife.

In the course of time, the Loro Blonyo statue, which originated in ancient Java, is still present in Javanese homes in modern times. The Loro Blonyo statue represents the owner of the house which is usually placed outside a private room, for example in the living room or family room as an interior accessory.

Dewi Sri Submits Three Conditions

It is said that because she felt lonely in heaven, Batara Guru created a beautiful woman named Retno Dumilah. Because of her beauty, Batara Guru fell in love. Retno Dumilah, who was called Dewi Sri, refused by submitting three conditions that Batara Guru could not fulfill. Batara Guru was angry because he felt another god was blocking his intention. He sent Kala Gumarang to investigate.

The envoy was fascinated and fell in love with Dewi Sri. He then chased Dewi Sri everywhere. Dewi Sri was angry, she cursed Kala Gumarang to become a pig. The pig kept chasing Dewi Sri all the way to the world. In the place where Dewi Sri lived, rice and other plants grew, and a bright light radiated.

Prabu Mangkukuhan from the Medang kingdom saw the light radiating from the figure of a beautiful woman. When he found out that the woman was Dewi Sri, Batara Wisnu became one with King Mangkukuhan and took Dewi Sri as his wife. Some people call Batara Wisnu, who manifested as King Mangkukuhan, as Raden Sadana. Meanwhile, the people take advantage of the plants left by Dewi Sri by nurturing and protecting them from the threat of pigs and other pests.

This story is a version of Javanese and Indonesian mythology about Dewi Sri as the Goddess of Rice or the Goddess of Fertility. His partner Raden Sadana, the embodiment of Lord Vishnu, is known as the preserver of the universe. Both of them are eternal husband and wife who carry a mission to the world to help people achieve prosperity in life.

Another version says that Dewi Sri and Sadana are twins (kedhono-kedhini). The two of them loved each other and wanted to get married. However, it didn't happen because they were siblings. Out of despair, Sadana committed suicide in the hope of being reincarnated as another human being and married Dewi Sri.

After the death of Sadana, Dewi Sri lived a wandering life and was chased by Bathara Kala. Dewi Sri then helped the farmers. As a reward, with her supernatural powers, Dewi Sri gave the farmers abundant rice fields. The farmers also returned Dewi Sri's kindness by perpetuating Dewi Sri and Raden Sadana in the form of statues of bride and groom sitting side by side.

Therefore, in the life of traditional farming communities throughout the island of Java, relics of ritual traditions and offerings are found in the rice fields from planting to post-harvest. It is said that the clean traditions of the village and harbor were originally related to this ritual. The ritual ceremony was meant to get an abundant harvest. And carried out inside or outside the house.

Over time, this statue continues to grow and carry over to the present. The development of contemporary art of this sculpture has also undergone a change in form, not only made in a sitting position but also a statue of Loro Blonyo in a standing position and several other additional accessories.

Djoko Diyanto, UGM archeology lecturer, said that the Loro statue

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