INTERPRETASI RAGAM HIAS NAGA PADA CANDI NAGA PANATARAN: SEBUAH KAJIAN SEMIOTIK PEIRCE

Interpretation of Serpent Decorative Patterns in the Panataran Naga Temple: A Peircean Semiotic Study. Decorative patterns are an integral component of temple architecture. Their presence is to depict the identity and significance of a temple. Among the various decorative patterns, mythological creatures such as serpents are typical features used in temple architecture. This is evident in the Naga Temple located in the Panataran Temple Complex. This research examines the decorative patterns found in the Naga Temple, along with their meanings, which can be linked to the function of the Naga Temple. This effort was undertaken by interpreting the meaning of the decorative patterns at Naga Temple using Peirce’s Semiotic theory, referencing the story of Samudramanthana from the Adiparwa Book. It is important to note that the presence of serpent motifs at Naga Temple does not entirely depict the Samudramanthana story. This argument is supported by the absence of the depiction of Asuras, which are integral to the Samudramanthana narrative. However, the presence of a serpent figure in the decorative patterns of the Naga Temple symbolises the mythology surrounding serpent creatures. This is related to the serpent being a sacred intermediary creature between the upper and lower worlds. The interpretation of the serpent decorative patterns then influences the function of the Naga Temple. Through the presence of signs in the form of serpent decorative patterns, the Naga Temple can be interpreted as a “connecting place” that bridges profane and sacred activities in the worship rites within the Panataran Temple Complex.