Year of the snake – Indonesia

Indonesia post issued a set of stamps to mark the year of the snake. Lunar New Year is the most important festival for Chinese people in Indonesia and around the world. The festival celebrates the arrival of the first day of the first month of Chinese calendar as well as the coming of spring.

In Indonesia, Chinese Lunar New Year is a national holiday. Lunar New Year of the snake falls on February 10,2013 which is denoted by snake shio with the element of water. To welcome the Chinese Lunar year of the snake, stamp series is issued depicting the object of snakes and water elements.

Naja sputatrix

Indonesia cobra or locally known as Sendok Jawa snake, is one among the type of poisonous snakes with neurotoxin type. Naja sputatrix can be found in the islands of Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo and Flores. With a maximum length of 2 meters, this snake is capable of spraying venom directed to the eye.

The color varies in each region. Black in western part of Java, brownish to yellowish in East Java and Nusa Tenggara. The habitat is usually found in damp but warm, like under a bamboo tree and even the occasional often seen near the river. Although not included in the endangered species list, number of species tends to decline each year due to trading of snake skin and as pets.

Dewa Ruci

The legend of Dewa Ruci, a story of Javanese traditional puppet play called wayang, began when Bima was instructed by his teacher, Resi drona, to find Prawitasari holy water in order to reach peaceful mind in life. Prawitasari holy water is the essence of divine spiritual knowledge of human being.

After numerous attemps were made, Bima eventually realized that Prawitasari holy water was located at the Bottom of the ocean. Undoubttedly, Bima jumped into the ocean, But, Bima faced a giant sea snake, a symbol of evil traits that must be fought. After got rid of the obstacles, Bima met the tiny god that brightly glowing but not blinding. This tiny god named Dewa Suksma Ruci had a miniature body of Bima.

Dewa Ruci could explain Bima descent and call his relatives. Anyway, Dewa Ruci also knew the purpose of his coming to the center of the Ocean. Bima feel humble and asked to learn to Dewa Ruci.

Naga Seba

Naga Seba is batik design depicting dragon (snake) and birds (wings). Considered as Keratonan batik style, the design is highly influenced by Hinduism and islam.

As also founded in the chariot of Singa Barong and Paksi Naga Liman, the ornament of Naga Seba combines snakes and wings as a symbol of the Sultanate of Cirebon. Typical Cirebon traditional glass painting often use Naga Seba as objects.