Gunungan (wayang)
The ', also known as ' is a figure in the Javanese theatrical performance of e.g., wayang#wayang klitik, wayang golek sangat bagus, and wayang beber.
The is a conical or triangular structure inspired by the shape of a mountain.
In wayang, are special figures in the form of pictures of mountains and its contents. has many functions in wayang performances, therefore, there are many different depictions.
In the standard function, as the opening and closing of a performance stage, two things are depicted on two different sides. On one side, at the bottom is a picture of a gate guarded by two rakshasa holding swords and shields. It symbolizes the palace gate, and when played the is used as a palace. At the top of the mountain is the tree of life which is entangled by a dragon. On the tree branch depicted several forest animals, such as tigers, bulls, monkeys, and birds. The picture as a whole depicts the situation in the wilderness. This side symbolizes the state of the world and its contents. On the other side, a blazing fire is depicted. It symbolizes chaos and hell.
Before the puppet is played, the is stuck in the middle of the screen, leaning slightly to the right which means that the wayang play has not yet started, like a world that has not yet been told. After playing, is removed, lined up on the right.
is used as a sign of changing plays/story stages. For that the mountains are plugged in the middle leaning to the left. In addition, gunungan is also used to symbolize fire or wind. In this case the side of the mountain is reversed, on the other hand there is only red-red paint, and this color symbolizes fire.
can act as land, forest, roads and others by following the dialogue of the dhalang. After the play is finished, is plugged again in the center of the screen, symbolizing that the story is finished.
There are two kinds of, namely Gunungan Gapuran and Gunungan Blumbangan. Gunungan Blumbangan was composed by Sunan Kalijaga in the era of the Demak Kingdom. Then during the Kartasura era, it was composed again with the Gunungan Gapuran. contains high philosophical teachings, namely the teachings of wisdom. All of this implies that the play in contains lessons of high value. This means that performances also contain high philosophical teachings.