The Concept of Balinese House

The Concept of Wariga: It is a concept of Balinese dating called (Wariga). The phylosophy illustrated the relationship between objects in outer space such as sun, planets, and stars to the world (earth), which led to the calculation of ‘urip sapat wara' and 'urip panca wara' which has a value of prophecy from their combination. Summing both ‘Urip’ matched with 'Dauh' resulting in fortune day to build the house. The concept is intended that in the future there will be a balance and harmony between the house and its residents.

The Traditional Concepts of Dimensional Measurement:  It is based on the anatomy of human organs as the landlord (the owner of the house) such as Musti, Depa, Nyari, Guli, Tapak, and so on so that the house would be ideal for the owner of the house. Although now rarely used, this method is still applicable to the construction of temples.

The Concept of Manik Ring Cucupu: This concept means 'the baby in the uterus or womb'. It has synonymous with comfort, joy, and peace that should be perceived by the owner of the house (buana alit) who was in the house (buana agung) like when the baby is in the mother's womb.

The Concept of Building (Architecture): Balinese house consists of some building and composed of several separate parts such as: Angkul-Angkul(gate), Aling-Aling, Natah(yard), Pemerajan(holy building/temple), Umah Meten (bed room), Bale Tiang Sanga, Bale Sakepat, Bale Dangin, Paon (kitchen), and Gelebeg(rice barn). The wood for the house should be suitable with the rules. The wood which is suitable for holy building/temple are sandalwood, chrysolite, and ‘majegau’; for the home are Teak, Breadfruit, Sentul, and Endep; while for Paon (kitchen) are Kutat and Blalu wood. The setting of the house plans is determined by rules in the Lontar Asta Bhumi, while the building or construction by Lontar Asta Dewa and Asta Kosala Kosali, and building materials based on Lontar Asta Dewa and Asta Kosala Kosali.

The Concept of Space consists of:

      Tri Loka Concept: It is based on the philosophy of Tri Loka that house settlement consisting of Bhur, Bwah, and Swah. Swah Loka is the symbol about the existence of God and the Gods/Goddesses, Bwah is the symbol of human environment, and Bhur is a symbol of the environment of other creatures. So that a house should consist of the Holy Buildings in the highest areas, the building of the house in the middle area, and landscaping and gardening area in the lowest area.

      The Tri Angga Concept: Like in the human body, the house also has a head (Utama Angga) is realized by a roof; body (Madya Angga) is realized by walls, windows, and doors; and also foot (Nista Anga) is realized with the foundation of the house.

      The Concept of Tri Mandala: It is realized by Holy Building (merajan) as Utama Mandala. While Madya Mandala consists of a bedroom, living room and kitchen, as well as Nista Mandala consist of a bathroom, storeroom, and other buildings.

The concept of Tri Hita Karana: It consists of three elements which are believed to set and arrange life balance in the houses. They are parahyangan shown by the Holy Building, pawongan is shown by the residents, palemahan is sown by the yard.

The Ritual Concept consists of:

 1. Kangin- Kauh(East-West): The east area virginity comes from a belief in God Surya(the God of the Sun) who is symbolized by the sun rising in the east, so the temple and bale dangin is placed in the eastern area of ​​the house. In connection with the Tri Angga that the head of the human is the most sacred part of the then set the upstream bed cope to the east. So if the people asleep, the head must on the east side.

2  Kaje-Kelod(North-South):  North is also a sacred area in relation to the concept of the mountain (north) and the sea (south). North area is also related to Tri Angga, and illustrated as Swah Loka. So the bed is possible also cope to the north area. East and North are symbolized as the sacred (virgin) area, so that the combination of the two is Northeast area which is the most sacred area. Thus, there will be holy building (pemerajan) in this area.

The Concept of Catuspatha: This is the concept of empty space in the center area which is a merger West-East and North-South called 'Natah'. Natah is a central area so that all the buildings in the West-East and North-South area facing the center area.