The Sacredness of Barong from the Perspective of the Philosophy of Art: Understanding the Relationship between Aesthetics, Ritual, and Spirituality

Abstract

Barong is a form of sacred art that holds an important position in Hindu religious practices and the aesthetic life of Balinese society. It is understood not merely as an artifact or artistic performance, but as an integral part of the symbolic, ritual, belief, and spiritual systems of its supporting community. This article aims to analyze the sacredness of Barong from the perspective of the philosophy of art, focusing on the relationship between aesthetics, ritual, and spirituality. The study employs a qualitative approach using philosophical hermeneutics. Data were obtained through observation, interviews with artists, religious leaders, and community members, as well as a review of Balinese religious and cultural literature. The findings indicate that Barong’s sacredness emerges from the inseparable interplay of aesthetic, symbolic, ritual, and spiritual dimensions. Aesthetic value transcends visual beauty, becoming a medium for transcendental experience through ritualization, symbolic interpretation, and spiritual engagement. Thus, Barong represents sacred art that integrates beauty, religious devotion, and cosmological consciousness within a unified philosophical framework.