Rwa Bhineda is the Balinese principle of duality: the belief that the world is made of complementary opposites such as good and evil, day and night, life and death, the mountains and the sea. Rather than trying to eliminate one side, Balinese religion seeks to keep the two in balance. It is one of the most important ideas for understanding why offerings go to both gods and demons.
The idea is made visible in poleng, the black-and-white checked cloth seen all over the island. The white squares and the black squares stand for opposing forces existing together, and their pattern is often compared to yin and yang. Variations add a third color: sudhamala includes grey, suggesting the blending of opposites, while tridatu adds red. Poleng marks something as sacred or charged with spiritual power.
Once you notice poleng you will see it everywhere: wrapped around great banyan trees, tied around guardian statues at temple gates, draped over shrines and worn by some healers and puppeteers. A cloth around a tree is a sign that it is respected as a living, powerful presence, and it discourages anyone from cutting it down. The pattern has also become a popular design on souvenirs, but its meaning remains religious.
Highlights
- Checked cloth around banyan trees
- Guardian statues dressed in poleng
- Sudhamala and tridatu variations
- Offerings to both gods and lower spirits
Good to know
- Treat any tree or statue wrapped in poleng as part of a sacred space.
- Poleng sarongs sold in markets are fine to buy, but avoid wearing them as beachwear.
Bali: Culture, Tradition & Religion
Offerings, ceremonies, temples and beliefs: 100 short chapters on what makes Balinese culture unlike anywhere else.