You see it everywhere: little colourful offerings placed in front of the entrances of various houses, shops, temples, and even on the side of the road – like they’re saying: Welcome to our humble abode, guest.

Whether you’re a tourist or a local, you might have even accidentally stepped on it more times than you’d like to admit... and instantly feel bad about it (because the Balinese would get bitter at you). 

But what are they, exactly?

The canang sari is the most simplest form of offering for the Balinese. These square-shaped boxes are offered everyday starting from 6 in the morning and mid-afternoon. While there are various kinds of canang, the canang sari is the most common offering and is specifically used to express gratitude to the Gods that have watched over them.

Here, you'll find a little dive into the canang sari and what makes them so special to the local Balinese.

Canang sari's origins

Deriving from the Old Javanese language, can signifies beautiful while nang means goal, core or purpose. Canang, as a whole, initially referred to as betel, which is a species of a flowering plant native to Southeast Asia and given to respected guests. Chewed as a mild stimulant, eating betel is a Balinese tradition that locals have upheld for centuries and therefore represents high value.

As a result, the canang sari contains betel in it.

Sari, on the other hand, means essence or aroma, referring to the smoke that is carried into the sky from the aromatic incense stick. 

Its creation originated from Mpu Sangkulputih, a supreme spiritual leader who took over the role of Danghyang Rsi Markandeya to serve in the Besakih Temple.

Mpu Sangkulputih added interesting variations that made the canang sari the offering it is today.

How to make canang sari

The canang sari is a very long hand-made process and are typically reserved for women. An assemble of various ingredients are put together to create Bali's daily (and most famous) offering.

Here's how it goes:

1. Canang ceper: the base of the canang sari, it is a square box made of woven coconut leaves, which is around 10 centimetres. These are where all the other ingredients are assembled together. 
2. Rice: in the form of a small rice cake, put in the basket
3. Porosan: a small piece of lime and an areca nut wrapped in betel leaves
4. Jajan: pieces of cane sugar and bananas
5. Sampian Uras: a circular shape made of long leaves, consisting of eight segments where they are twisted and secured in the centre. This is used as a place for the flowers.
6. Flowers: fresh and aromatic, the arrangement of the flowers are regulated by various rules, such as the colour (white, red, yellow, black, green and blue) and the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west)
7. Kembang Rampai: finely chopped pandan leaves placed on top of the  flowers as decor
8. Lepa: also known as boreh miyik, a type of Balinese body scrub believed to enhance one's energy and wellbeing, added in the corner.
9. Fragrant oil: also known as minyak wangi, the aromatic oil coats the canang
10. Aromatic incense sticks: the sticks, used for the smoke, are most commonly the dupa. Once lit, the Balinese takes a flower from the basket with their right hand and makes 3 hand passes towards the stick. Other sources of smoke can be used, such as sandalwood chips or coconut charcoal, but dupa is the most common.

The ritual ends with a little prayer spoken as smoke from burning incense carries the essence of the offering to the gods. This mantra goes as the following: 

Om  Puspa Danta ya namah svaha (spoken quietly in the heart)

Om  tamolah panca pacara guru paduka bhyo namah swaha

Om  shri Deva Devi Sukla ya namah svaha

Canang sari, an offering to the Gods

The canang sari is given to the Gods every morning by the Balinese Hindu as a form of thanking for balance and peace in our world. It is meant to invoke the power of Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, the Supreme God.

Each ingredient has a unique symbol:

1. Canang ceper: the flat shape symbolises the Angga-Satria, meaning 'body.'
2. Rice: refers to Sang Hyang Atma, who fills the body with life and represents the 'seed' of life's inception.
3. Porosan: the three ingredients individually represent the Tri Murti, the highest Gods of Hinduism – Brahma (the areca nut), Vishu (the betel leaf) and Shiva (the lime). They also symbolise the unity of one's thoughts, actions and speech, as well as love and gratitude to God.
4. Jajan: represents Upetti, Stiti and Pralinan, commonly called Tri Kona, the three characteristics of Sang Hyang Widhi
5. Sampian Uras: symbolising the wheel of life with eight characteristics accompanying everyday human life (ex. wisdom, truth, intellect)
6. Flowers: symbolises peace and tranquility -- white petals facing east are dedicated to Iswara, God of Nature; red petals facing south honour Brahma, God of Creation; yellow petals facing west are for Mahadeva, God of Intuition; blue and green petals facing north are devoted to Vishnu, God of Preservation.
7. Kembang Rampai: the thin leaves show wisdom and the dynamics of both a  difficult and a happy life
8. Lepa: symbolises good attitude, behaviour and deeds
9. Fragrant oil: evokes a peaceful state of mind and self-control, ready to resolve all the burdens of life
10. Aromatic incense sticks: the smoke used to direct the essence of the offering upwards (to the sky and to the Gods) 

Did you know? Food, like candies, crackers and cookies, are left beside flower petals so the canang sari can also help feed stray dogs, monkeys and other animals roaming around. Ants, birds, cats… they nibble!

Overall, it is an act to show everlasting gratitude. Their base symbolises three powers – creation, preservation and unity – to show the three Hindu deities, respectively Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Holidays, rituals…

The canang sari is most used during the Panca Yadnya, which are five categories of ceremonies that are performed by the Balinese: Panca meaning five and Yadnya meaning holy offerings. In fact, a canang sari is what makes offerings and ceremonies valid. 

Other fetes include Purnama (during the full moon), Tumpek Landep (to honor metal tools used in everyday life), Tilem (‘Dark Moon’ ceremony) and other holy days unique to the Balinese Hindu community.

A new generation to come

 

The Balinese thank the Gods every morning for their gift of life, abundance and all blessings. The canang sari is an act of selflessness – giving rather than receiving – and shows the simplicities of the Balinese heart and soul.

 

However, things have changed since Bali’s tourism industry soared. Traditionally, the canang sari would require dedication and hand-made skill sets; now, these offerings can be easily found in local markets, ready to be purchased.

Nevertheless, the canang sari is still heavily pertinent in Balinese culture, and whether it is hand-made or easily manufactured, we can definitely say that it's a defining characteristic of what the island is today.