Philosophy of Semar

Semar is a character in Javanese mythology who frequently appears in wayang shadow plays. He is one of the punakawan (wayang clowns), but is in fact divine and very wise. He is the dhanyang (guardian spirit) of Java, and is regarded by some as the most sacred figure of the kotak (wayang set). He is said to be the god Sang Hyang Ismaya in human form.

The name Semar is said to derive from the Javanese word samar ('dim, obscure, mysterious'). He is often referred to with the honorific, "Kyai Lurah Semar" (the venerable chief).

The philosophy of Semar calligraphy

Philosophy of Semar:

"Bojo sira arsa Mardi kamardikan, aja samar sumingkiring dur-kamurkan Mardika, ora kebanda ing kadonyan, ora samar marang bisane sirna durka murkamu"

which means the freedom of soul; a condition unconquered by lust and mortal life desire, to remain perfectly 'innocent' til death, to restrain temptation and convert it into a power towards perfection in life.

Legong dancer tattoo

Legong is a form of Balinese dance; a refined dance form characterized by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and expressive gestures and facial expressions.

At first, the client came to us, bringing a magazine with a pair of Legong dancer paintings on it. They are beautiful paintings, indeed, but in the picture, they're hanging on the wall decorating a cozy living room (yes, it's an interior design magazine). Imagine how small it is! To get more details on the dancer's flower crown and facial expression, we browsed through the web and find this beautiful photograph by Mr. Pius Lee

Eyeing (Legong Dance II), taken on May 30, 2009 by Mr Pius Lee, www.dailytravelphotos.com

Mr Pius Lee began his quest to backpack around the world in 2003. Travel and photography is two of his greatest passions. His website, www.dailytravelphotos.com contains his photography works during traveling, hopefully to relate the beauty and uniqueness of far-away countries that most viewers won't experience first hand.

We can support his cause this way (quoting from his website): "Daily Travel Photos is supported primarily by advertisements. To help ensure the site's survival, I request that you occasionally glance at the ads and clickonly on an advertisement that genuinely interests you. Clicking haphazardly on ads helps nobody in the long run. "

the Legong dancer tattoo, done by Dimas Praja

thanks Mr Pius Lee for the beautiful photograph as a great reference, and for visiting Indonesia, too! :)

Tibetan Skull tattoo

Tibetan skulls are getting more attention on tattoo designs, either for its macabre (yet beautiful) look in black-and-grey and color works, and for the meaning itself. 


It's also known as kapala (Sanskrit for "skull") or skullcup, it is made from a human skull used as a ritual implement (bowl) in both Hindu Tantra and Buddhist Tantra (Vajrayana). Especially in Tibet, these skulls often carved or elaborately mounted with precious metals and jewels. The heavily embossed cup is usually made of silver-gilt bronze with lid shaped like a skull and with a handle made in the form of a thunderbolt.

a Tibetan skull for rituals

And the design development from the idea of Tibetan skull is vary, including on Dimas Praja's tattoo work:

a Tibetan skull tattoo by Dimas Praja, done in 2009