Canang Sari: The Balinese Daily Offerings

Bali has numerous traditions that the Balinese community practices daily. These traditions are popular among both local and international visitors. One such tradition is the offering of canang sari by the Hindu community. if you happen to be visiting Bali, you will see Canang Sari all over Bali. You may be wondering why the Balinese offer flowers with lit incense sticks on the ground everywhere in Bali.

What is Canang Sari?

Do you know about Canang sari? When you visit Bali, you will surely come across a flowers with lit incense sticks on the ground no matter where you go. Canang Sari is a traditional offering that is common in Balinese prayers.

Canang sari is the simple form of Bali offering. Its a container made of janur, filled with colorful flowers and aromatic incense. simple but important offerings which must be included in every ceremony. This is considered to represent a calm, peaceful, and beautiful mind, symbolizing true love and devotion. Canang Sari is always used on everyday prayer in Bali. Despite its simplicity, Canang Sari stands of great importance to the Balinese people and within the spiritual practice of the faith.

In Balinese Hindu tradition, the specific activity dictates the shape and function of a canang offering. Believers view the canang as a expression of Weda, evident in particular symbols like the ‘ceper’, a square base that symbolizes the power of ‘Ardha Candra’ (the moon). A ‘porosan’ sits atop the ceper, indicating the offering comes from a heart of compassion and sincerity towards Sang Hyang Widhi (God) and His emanations. This also applies to humans who gratefully receive His blessings and gifts. Moreover, atop the ceper within a canang sari, they put items like a slice of sugarcane, a banana, and a piece of jaja (cake). These items embody the power of ‘Wiswa Ongkara’, the number 3 in Balinese script, signifying a trinity of forces.

Philosophy of Canang Sari in Balinese

Based on Thesis “Banten Canang Sari sebagai Identitas Budaya Bali dalam Pewarisan Pendidikan Estetika dan Ecoart di Sulawesi Tengah” written by Kadek Hariana. The Ancient Javanese used the term “canang” to refer to the betel nut, which people traditionally served to esteemed guests. Ancient customs highly regarded the consumption of betel nut. The kekawin Nitisastra reflects this esteem in the phrase “Masepi tikang waktra tan amucung Wang,” which means “our mouths feel lonely without eating betel nut.” This highlights the cultural significance and habitual nature of betel nut consumption in historical contexts. The ancient tradition of betel is a symbol of respect. After Hinduism developed in Bali, betel became an important element in religious ceremonies and other religious activities.

Source: Red Lotus Property

Canang Sari: A symbol of gratitude

Canang Sari is a beautiful and meaningful offering in Balinese Hinduism. The canang sari represents a symbol to demonstrate gratitude. The term “sari” means flowers, essence, and extracts, which make up its main components. Balinese Hinduism believes that canang sari is a way to give honor to Gods in svarga. While Balinese believes there is a balance among everything, the canang sari uses to appease the needs of the demons so they wont go into the realm of the man. With this ritual, Balinese Hinduism strives to maintain the balance between good and bad. Rooted in this belief is an understanding that both positive and negative energies exist in the world where we live.

Every important day or event has its own specific type of Canang offering. Balinese use canang sari for daily devotions, reflecting various aspects of life. Conversely, the Canang Pengengkeb and Canang Genten serve specific roles. People utilize the Canang Pengengkeb in sacred performances such as Gong, Gambang, Gender, Angklung, Wayang, Barong, and Mask dances during piodalan ceremonies. Meanwhile, they employ the Canang Genten to request blessings or kayowanan.

Source: Unsplash

What is in the Canang Sari?

Although it may look like a random composition of colorful flower petals, this is not at all the case. Every little thing in the canang sari has its specific meaning, function, and honors a certain Hindu God. Some of the elements contained in the canang sari are as follows:

• Ceper

Ceper is the canang sari’s base and it’s made from young palm leaves. It has a rectangular shape and symbolizes the angga-sarira (body). The four sides of the ceper symbolize the formation of angga-sarira, namely Panca Maha Bhuta, Panca Tan Mantra, Panca Buddhindriya, and Panca Karmendriya.

• Porosan

Porosan is made of betel leaves, lime, and jambe (gambier) which symbolizes the Tri-Premana(Thoughts, Speech, Action). Additionally, it also symbolizes the Trimurti, namely Shiva (lime), Vishnu (betel), and Brahma (gambier).

• Rice (wija)

Wija is a symbol of Sang Hyang Atma which makes the body come alive. 

• Fragrant oil

Fragrant Oil symbolizes peace of mind and control of body. 

• Sampian urasari

Crafters create Sampian from a series of janur (young coconut leaves) arranged in a round shape, consists of eight segments or strands. It epitomizes the wheel of life. 

• Flower petals

Symbolize peace and sincerity. Flowers must be arranged according to the Panca Dewata direction.

• • White flowers are placed on the east, to ask for blessings from Widyadari.
  • Red flowers are set facing south, as a gesture of requesting favor from Widyadari Saraswati
  • Yellow flowers are arranged facing west, to seek goodwill from Widyadari Ken Sulasih.
  • Black flowers are placed facing north, as a way of asking for guidance from Widyadari Nilotama and the influence of Sang Hyang Wisnu.
  • In the center, Kembang Rampai (Sliced Pandan Arum) symbolize asking for support from Widyadari Supraba within the power of Sang Hyang Siwa.

While in some regions, you will see they will put some old Chinese coins or paper money as sesari, some food items – cookies, crackers, or candies placed alongside the canang sari to demonstrate gratitude and selflessness. Everything should be as edible as possible so that stray dogs or monkeys or other animals could eat it.

Source: Unsplash

The Making of Canang Sari

The creation of a canang sari is called metanding and its not as easy as it seems. Metading is the activity of arranging various offering materials so that they become the integrity of a banten (offering). In Balinese Hinduism, women are usually in charge of making the Balinese offerings or canang and men assist in preparing the ingredients. Every day it is compulsory to make canang sari for morning or evening offerings. It is part of their daily task, and a good Balinese wife is supposed to know how to make a canang sari. 

Usually, they will sit together to assemble and make canang sari; they will create around 50-70 pieces of canang and use around 15-17 for their daily offerings. Currently, where more Balinese women have a job outside of their daily tasks, the pre-made canang sari is available at the market.

Source: Unsplash

The Morning Offering Ritual in Bali

Even though they are buying the canang, women are still in charge of the daily offerings, and people believe that the sacred meaning and purpose of the regular morning offering remains the same. 

After completing the canang sari, Balinese Hinduism usually lit the incense. They also sprinkle some holy water on the canang sari. This holy water was not random tap water with flowers. Usually, the creation ritual of holy water took days. 

People may ask for free holy water to be brought home when they went to some major temples in Bali. They also believe that every temple has holy water for a different function. Prayer is also spoken when offering the canang sari. This ritual represents the element of the earth that give living for humans: water, wind, fire, and earth.

The morning offering ritual, the women will wear a sash or a sarong to pay respect for the Gods. Likewise, when they make the canang sari.

Source: Red Lotus Property

Ready to experience Balinese Culture?

Balinese Hinduism people often show gratitude wherever they live. While the ritual might be different in each region when you visit Bali, the canang sari meaning is more or less the same. The next time you see canang sari offering on the ground or at the temple, you might feel the sincere heart that most Balinese people have.

You will find some canang sari-making classes in Ubud. If you stay with us in Villa rumah lotus or one of our villas in Ubud or villas in Saba, you can ask directly our villa butler or our reservation team at Red Lotus Bali property, and they will be happy to serve you. The next time you visit Bali, don’t forget to experience the local culture while enjoying your holiday!