Tedung: The Ceremonial Umbrella of Balinese Temple Festivals
The tedung, the ceremonial umbrella of Balinese temples
The tedung is a tall ceremonial umbrella used at Balinese temple festivals. Its canopy shades the shrines, the offerings and the sacred objects that are carried or placed in the temple courtyard, and it marks the space as set apart for ritual. Tedung come in two principal forms, the agung and the robrob, and they are frequently seen in pairs or in groups at a temple anniversary. The checked black and white cloth known as poleng is one of the most recognisable patterns, and it appears on the canopies and on many other objects in Balinese ritual life.
This page explains what a tedung is, the two main types, the colours and cloths used to make them, the temple anniversary settings where they gather, the shrines and effigies they shade and how a visitor should stand and take photographs at a festival.
What a tedung does
The tedung shades what is holy. In Balinese thought, the sacred space needs a boundary, and the umbrella helps to mark that boundary and to protect what lies beneath it. The canopy stands over the shrine or the offerings and moves with the procession when objects are carried from one place to another. Its presence tells everyone in the courtyard that a ritual is taking place.
The umbrella is therefore more than a decoration. It is part of the ritual apparatus, placed and carried by set rules. Each temple has its own arrangements, and the families and priests who look after the temple know what each piece should do.
The agung and the robrob
The two main types of tedung are the agung and the robrob. They differ in size and in the trim and ornament at the rim of the canopy, and craftsmen vary the dimensions from one maker to another. The agung is associated with the most important sacred places and occasions, while the robrob is a common ceremonial umbrella used across many temples and rituals.
The distinction matters at a festival, because each type has its own place in the arrangement of the temple. A visitor does not need to know every rule, but noticing the difference between the two makes the ceremony easier to understand.
Trim and ornament
The rim of a tedung is finished with hanging decoration. Some have tassels or woollen balls, and others have long strips of decorated cloth. The ornament changes the silhouette of the umbrella as it moves, so that a canopy in procession looks lively and full.
Colours and the poleng cloth
Tedung are made in several colours, and their cloth carries meaning in Balinese ritual. The white version, frequently seen in ceremony, is linked to the idea of balance and harmony. The checked black and white cloth known as poleng is one of the most distinctive patterns on the island, and it appears on canopies, sashes and wrappings across temple life.
The poleng pattern expresses the principle of opposites in balance, a theme that runs through Balinese ritual and art. The black and white squares are arranged so that neither dominates, and the pattern shows the harmony between forces that must be kept in equilibrium. A visitor will see poleng on many objects, and it is worth noticing how the pattern repeats across the festival.
The temple anniversary setting
Tedung are most visible at the piodalan, the anniversary festival of a temple. On this day the community gathers, the shrines are dressed, offerings are brought in procession, and the temple courtyard fills with people in ceremonial dress. The umbrellas stand over the shrines and move with the procession as the sacred objects are carried through the courtyard.
The atmosphere is festive and devout at once. Music plays, families bring offerings, and the priests lead prayers. The tedung give the courtyard its visual unity, and they mark the rhythm of the ceremony from start to finish.
Other occasions
Tedung also appear at cremations, where they are used to shade and protect the body and the procession. The umbrellas are part of the rites that accompany the passage of the dead, and their use at such events shows the breadth of the ritual role they play.
The shrines and effigies they shade
The umbrella stands above the places where the divine is invited to rest during a ceremony. These include shrines, pavilions and the effigies or sacred objects that are brought out for the festival. The canopy protects these objects from the sun and rain, and it creates a sheltered space for prayer and offering.
Effigies that are shaded by tedung are treated with respect, and the families and priests handle them with great care. Visitors should not touch the effigies or the objects beneath the canopy, and should keep a respectful distance from the processions.
How to stand and take photographs
Stand at the edge of the courtyard and make space for families and priests who are walking with offerings. Do not step between a procession and the shrine, and do not walk under a tedung while it is being carried. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and wear a sash if the temple asks for one.
Photographs are welcome from a respectful distance, but avoid flash, and do not take pictures during prayers or close to the sacred objects. Ask permission before photographing individuals, and accept a refusal gracefully. The best photographs are frequently taken from the side of the courtyard, where you can see the procession without blocking it.
Behaviour in the courtyard
Keep your voice low, switch off loud devices, and move slowly. Sit or stand quietly during prayers. If you are invited to join a procession or to receive a blessing, follow the lead of those around you.
Where to see tedung
Temple festivals across Bali use tedung, and the best way to see them is to ask locally about upcoming anniversaries in the villages near where you are staying. The Balinese ceremonies page describes the main festivals and the rhythm of the ritual calendar, and it helps you plan a visit to a temple celebration. Many temples hold their anniversary at set times in the calendar, so local knowledge is the best guide.
The Pura Penulisan page covers one of the temples of the highlands, and it shows the sacred landscape in which many of these festivals take place.
The cloth and the craft
Tedung are made by craftsmen who understand both the structure of the umbrella and the meaning of its cloth. The canopy is shaped on a frame, and the decoration is attached with care. The poleng cloth is woven and printed, and its pattern is one of the most distinctive pieces of Balinese textile art. To see how cloth is made on the island, read the poleng cloth page, which explains the pattern and its uses, and the geringsing cloth page, which covers another ritual textile of the island.
Music and dance in the festival
Temple festivals are full of music and dance, and the gamelan ensemble plays through the processions and prayers. The rhythms of the gamelan give the ceremony its pulse, and dancers may perform sacred dances in the courtyard. The gamelan page explains the instruments and the role of the ensemble in ritual life, and the Balinese dance page covers the performances that frequently accompany a festival.
Frequently asked questions about the tedung
What is the difference between the agung and the robrob? The two types differ in size and in the ornament at the rim, and each has its own place in the arrangement of a temple.
Why is the poleng pattern so common? It expresses the balance of opposites that is central to Balinese ritual thought, and it appears on many sacred objects.
Can I touch a tedung? No. Keep your hands off the umbrella and the objects beneath it, especially during a procession.
Can I attend a temple festival as a visitor? Many temples welcome respectful visitors. Dress modestly, follow the instructions of the families and priests, and keep to the areas indicated.
Watching a festival with understanding
Stand quietly at the edge of the courtyard, watch the umbrellas move with the procession, notice the poleng pattern and listen to the gamelan. The tedung is a simple object with a deep role, and a visitor who understands its place in the temple will see the festival as a whole, rather than as a set of colourful images.
Related guides: odalan, ngenteg linggih.