Ceremonial offerings, usually made of palm leaf, flowers, and foodstuffs, are an art form. They are associated with every ritual occasion in Bali.

The Balinese belief in the forces of the invisible world dictates that offerings be created with a spirit of thankfulness, and loving attention to detail.

This is one of my favorite things about Bali. When I walk down the street in the morning, or see their devotion in the evenings. The Balinese seem to get so much peace, and contentment from  these ancient rituals.

They never seem to tire of producing these colorful, and highly symbolic, ephemeral creations for every ritual. From the simplest daily household offerings to gods, demons, and ancestors, to massive ceremonies such as the Panca Wali Krama held at Pura Besakih to purify and bring blessings upon the entire world.

Canang sari offerings differ in form, and function depending on locality. They function as a kind of repayment to the forces of the invisible world for their gifts to human society. Typically, canang sari offerings contain flowers, leaves, liquid fragrance, and a symbolic betel quid.

Gayah -While women construct most offerings, elaborate offerings made of meat are fashioned by men for use on major ritual occasions. The gayah, or sate gede, is said to represent the animal kingdom, which complements the kingdom of plant life, which is so often represented in offerings made by women. Creations such as these represent the Balinese notion that offerings symbolize the "entire contents of the world".

Gebogan are towering offerings constructed around the base of a banana trunk, to be presented at odalan. Typically, the first layer is composed of fruits, followed by layers of rice cakes that are  in many shapes, and colors. The next layer is a canang sari offering. And, the top, an exuberant arrangement of flowers.

The kwangen is a small triangular offering containing flowers, a small betel nut, and often Chinese coins. Kwangen are used in the Balinese form of prayer called muspa (to pray with flowers). The Chinese coins in a kwangen are said to represent human action, purified in the act of worship.

Lamak - A small temporary shrine of bamboo called a sanggah cucuk is always found beneath a penjor. Small offerings to the deities are placed here for as long as the penjor is in use. This shrine is often 'clothed' in a symbolic garment called a lamak. The colorful runners made of plaited palm leaf often contain images of prosperity and fertility like the cili, an ancient symbol of both human, and wet rice life cycles.

A penjor is an offering in the form of a tall, decorated bamboo pole whose gracefully curving upper end is said to resemble both the tail of the Barong, symbol of goodness, and the peak of the sacred mountain, Mount Agung.

Penjors are placed in front of each Balinese household for the Galungan holiday, and are also used in conjunction with important temple ceremonies, and life-cycle rituals. Hanging from the end of every penjor are beautifully plaited palm leaf creations called sampian.

Sarad-These are elaborate offerings made of dyed rice dough arranged against a framework of bamboo, and cloth. A sarad symbolizes the form, and content of the Balinese mythic world. Sarad will typically include representations of Bedawang Nala, and Naga Basuki, the cosmic turtle, and dragon, who provide support to the physical world. Another popular subject is Boma, son of the earth goddess, a fearsome, but protective figure who represents all living things growing from the earth, and helps to ensure a good harvest.

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