A Semiotic Study on Tuwuhan at Tarub Decoration of Javanese Wedding Ceremony

Abstract

As a traditional rule, the wedding party takes place in the house of the bride's parents. The bride's parents are the ones who organize the marriage ceremony. The gate of the house must be decorated with Tarub which consists of different Tuwuhan (plants and leaves), which also perform symbolic meanings. This Tuwuhan is put on the gate of the bridge’s parents one day before the wedding party, the gate of the house of the bride's parents is decorated with Tarub (plant decorations), which consists of different Tuwuhan such as Two banana trees with stem of ripe bananas, a pair of Tebu Wulung (reddish sugar cane), Cengkir Gading (very young coconut), Uborampen Tuwuh (different fresh leaves), such as of Beringin (banyan tree), Mojo-Koro, Alang-alang (tall, coarse grass), Dadap Srep (flowering trees). Tuwuhan, as a part of Tarub in wedding party, has some elements considered as sign that contains semiotic potential. The signs have certain ideas behind. This thesis is conducted to reveal the relationship between the sign and the meaning of Tuwuhan by applying Peirce’s triangle of signification. First, the writer collects some qualitative data needed like the meaning of each Tuwuhan and the contexts considered relevant to the sign. Secondly, the writer descriptively analyzes the data found. It is purposed to get a construction of context that may contribute to the reader’s Interpretant. After that, the proper link between the sign, Interpretant, and the meaning of each Tuwuhan can be figured out. In addition, the classification of the sign types can also be recognized. The relationship between the Sign and its Object in fact cannot be linked without the existence of the Interpretant, the idea that comes out after observing a sign. The Interpretant itself is greatly affected by the interpreter’s comprehension toward the context of the Sign. The result of the research shows that the meaning of parts Tuwuhan can be found by using Pierce’s triadic theory. Each part of Tuwuhan has different meaning which based on the character of the plant. Pisang Raja shows a wish for the couple in order to face their new life happily. Tebu Wulung is an expectation for the couple to get the sweetest moment in their life together and never sad. Fresh leaves convey the same message to the newly wed to live in harmony. Therefore, Tuwuhan shows the importance of non verbal languages in the society which performs as symbolism of wishes to the bride and the groom to live a brighter future.