Persepsi Visual dan Konstruksi Makna Spiritualitas pada Prasasti Telaga Batu: Analisis Arnheimian Terhadap Simbol Air, Batu, dan Ular
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33153/brikolase.v17i2.7786Keywords:
Arnheim, Prasasti Telaga Batu, Spirituality, Sriwijaya, Visual perceptionAbstract
This study aims to understand how the visual elements of the Telaga Batu Inscription shape visual perception and spiritual meaning within the cultural context of the Sriwijaya Kingdom. The research applies Rudolf Arnheim’s visual perception theory, which defines seeing as an active mental process that organizes balance, direction, and structure to generate meaning. The method used is descriptive qualitative with visual analysis of three main elements of the inscription, namely stone, water, and serpent. Data were collected through literature review and visual documentation, then analyzed to identify principles of balance, rhythm, and unity that construct spiritual experience within the ritual of oath-taking. The results show that the Telaga Batu Inscription was designed with strong visual awareness to evoke a sense of sanctity and royal authority. The stone symbolizes stability and eternity, water functions as a medium of purification, and the seven-headed serpent represents cosmic protection. These elements together form a spiritual visual communication system that reinforces the values of loyalty and power in Sriwijaya. The findings demonstrate that visual perception theory can be applied to interpret ancient artifacts as visual communication designs carrying profound spiritual and cultural values.
Downloads
References
Adisukma, W., Yustana, P., & Supriyanto, A. (2022). Makna Simbol Surya Majapahit. Jurnal Brikolase, 14(2), 132–152. https://jurnal.isi-ska.ac.id/index.php/brikolase/index
Aiello, G., & Parry, K. (2022). Visual Communication: Understanding Images in Media Culture. In Visual Communication: Understanding Images in Media Culture. Sage. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781529721522
AKIZ, M. (2016). the Number “Seven” Consecrated in the Beliefs and Rituals of Mesopotamia, Anatolia and Central Asia. Journal of History and Future, 2(1), 211. https://doi.org/10.21551/jhf.v2i1.5000176602
Alnoza, M. (2020). Figur Ular Pada Prasasti Telaga Batu: Upaya Pemaknaan Berdasarkan Pendekatan Semiotika Peirce. Berkala Arkeologi, 40(2), 267–286. https://doi.org/10.30883/jba.v40i2.591
Andhifani, W. R., & Tedjowasono, N. S. (2024). Prasasti Telaga Batu dan Dokumen Birokrasi–Ekonomi Kedatuan Sriwijaya. Atlantis Press. https://www.atlantis-press.com/article/126010803.pdf
Arnheim, R. (2023). ART AND VISUAL PERCEPTION: A Psychology of the Creative Eye: The New Version. In ART AND VISUAL PERCEPTION: A Psychology of the Creative Eye: The New Version.
Boechari. (1992). Prasasti-Prasasti Sriwijaya. Pusat Penelitian Arkeologi Nasional.
Carey, J. W. (2008). Communication as culture: Essays on media and society: Revised edition. In Communication as Culture: Essays on Media and Society: Revised Edition. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203928912
Decaroli, R. (2019). Snakes and gutters nāga imagery, water management, and buddhist rainmaking rituals in early South Asia. Archives of Asian Art, 69(1), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1215/00666637-7329873
Dharsono (Sony Kartika), Sumardjo, J., Matius Ali, Mudji Sutrisno, S.J., G.R. Lono L. Simatupang, Rahmanu Widayat, Pujiyanto, MarwatiJakob Sumardjo Matius Ali, Mudji Sutrisno, S.J., G.R. Lono L. Simatupang, Dharsono (Sony Kartika), Rahmanu Widayat, & Pu. (2010). ESTETIKA NUSANTARA Orientasi terhadap Filsafat, Kebudayaan, Pandangan Masyarakat, dan Paradigma Seni. In Isi Press (Vol. 1, Issue 9). http://repository.isi-ska.ac.id/978/1/PROSIDING ESTETIKA NUSANTARA.pdf
Djamaluddin, M., Kartimi, K., & Rahtikawati, Y. (2024). Air dalam Perspektif Agama dan Budaya. Journal on Education, 7(2), 8733–8740. https://doi.org/10.31004/joe.v7i2.7750
Iannone, G. (2024). An Iconographic Analysis of the Nat Yekan Sacred Water and Serpent Motif. Religions, 15(2), 166. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/2/166
John W. creswell. (2019). Research Design: Pendekatan Metode Kualitatif,Kuanti, Dan Campuran. In Jurnal Psikologi Pendidikan dan Pengembangan SDM. Pustaka Pelajar.
Macit, A. Ş. (2024). A Sustainable Approach to Clothtech. Textile Insights and Future Aspects, 83–94. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17567505.2022.2149128
Mukhopadhyay, P. (2023). Visual ergonomics for communication design : a layperson’s approach / Prabir Mukhopadhyay. Routledge.
Sari, N. M. D. (2020). Air Dalam Agama Hindu: Studi Tentang Konsep Agama TirthaDi Bali. ŚRUTI: Jurnal Agama Hindu, 1(1), 11–19. http://jurnal.ekadanta.org/index.php/sruti/article/view/57
Sitinjak, B. N. P. (2025). Warisan Visual Batak Toba—Sebuah Tinjauan Hermeneutika. Journal of Cultural Studies, 4(1), 33–49. https://jcs.greenpublisher.id/index.php/jcs/article/download/3425/1138
Slametmuljana, R. B. (1963). Kerajaan Sriwijaya. In Kerajaan Sriwijaya (1st ed., Issue 683 M). Dinas Pendidikan Prov. Sumatera Selatan. https://myrepositori.pnm.gov.my/handle/123456789/3538
Turner, V. (2017). The ritual process: Structure and anti-structure. In The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure. Cornell University Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315134666
Widagdo, R. (2023). Ruang Estetika dalam Relasi Tanda dan Spiritualitas pada Desain Kontemporer Nusantara. Brikolase: Jurnal Kajian Teori, Praktik Dan Wacana Seni Budaya Rupa, 16(2), 77–92. https://jurnal.isi-ska.ac.id/index.php/brikolase
Yulius, Y. (2022). Tinjauan Unsur Visual Desain Poster Iklan Layanan Masyarakat ‘Yuk Kurangi Sampah Plastik Mu.’ Visualita Jurnal Online Desain Komunikasi Visual, 10(02), 17. https://doi.org/10.34010/visualita.v10i02.6345
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Yosef Yulius, Erwan Suryanegara, Mukhsin Patriansah
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Author continues to retain the copyright if the article is published in this journal. The publisher will only need publishing rights
