The largest Muslim-majority country in the world, Indonesia, officialy recognizes six religions: Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Hinduism. Those of Hindu faith are largely concentrated in the Province of Bali, with the faith being deeply embedded within the Balinese culture, including the payas agung, a traditional costume reserved for significant events such as one’s wedding.
The towering magnificence of a Balinese bride’s golden head ornament is made up of flowers that represent the trimurti, the triad of the supreme gods themselves. Brahma, the god of creation, by the yellow Magnolia champaca; Vishnu, the god of preservation, by the ylang ylang flower; and Shiva, the god of destruction, by the white Magnolia alba.
These flowers symbolize obedience, holiness, sacredness, faith, and are a form of worship, the placement upon the head a reflection of utmost reference towards the Almighty.
Meanwhile, the petitis, a golden crown that adorns the bride’s forehead in a curve, represents the beauty and elegance of a bride in her acts of charity.
Between the bride’s eyebrows is a red dot, the gecek or bindi, a symbol of beauty, love, honor, and prosperity. It is placed where the sixth chakra resides, and thus is believed to have the power to ward off bad omen.
