Keris is a traditional weapon originated in Java. It is a short blade with two edges, sometimes with curves on them. It dates back from the 9th century and is shown on some reliefs on temples around Java.
Among the Javanese, Keris is highly valued. It is not just a weapon, but also a symbol for greatness or class in society. Only high profilers have the good ones. Some people measure it by looking at the amount of curves, the type of material it’s made of, or the existence of fingerprints on it (some are made magically by hands).
But keep in mind that it is NOT at all a functional weapon. If you like weapons like Katana, you will be disappointed in Keris. Very rarely does Keris show such perfection as Katana’s. Even the most famous ones are rough, dented, and heavily ornamented by reliefs. It is still a weapon of cultural beauty, especially for me, but it doesn’t look like it can cut well. It has a short range, funny hilt, and involves awkward positions to use that might as well hurt the wielder rather than the opponent.
The true strength of Keris lies on its mystical powers.
A Keris is never used early in a fight. It is reserved for the last moment; a last desperate attempt at a seemingly winning enemy. It is a tide turner. Even at a full scale wars. Its magical properties are so horrific and terrifying that it should only be used only when you really have to.
Its magic usually comes from the spirit that resides within. That’s why a good Keris has a name. It is considered as a living thing. The master can speak to it or ask for advices. Communication is usually done through dreams, just like the first time the master had it.
When someone has a Keris made for him/her, there are rituals that must be made. One of them involves sleeping with the weapon for a few days. If the master has nightmares, the weapon will only bring bad luck for him/her; and if the master has good dreams, the weapon will bring good luck to him/her.
As you can see, there’s a tight bond between Keris and its master; a bond that sometimes so tight, it can not be broken by death. This is the case with my great grandfather. He couldn’t die when he was supposed to, tormented in the state of not dead nor living for days, because his weapon wouldn’t let him. Only after his family did some rituals the bond was broken, and he died in peace.
In the Mahabharata, Keris is even shown to reanimate the master’s dead body in no less than two occasions.
One occasion is when Karna died after Arjuna struck his neck with his arrow. To his surprise, Karna’s body remained at still. Even the supposedly decapitated head was still on its place.
It turned out that Karna’s Keris took control of his body and keep it intact. It even spoke Karna’s voice to get Arjuna closer.
When he did move himself closer, it quickly flew from its scabbard and went directly to Arjuna. The only thing that saved him at the time was Kresna, pulling him away at the right time.
Keris is not just a symbol or a mystical weapon, it is also a loyal companion. Even after death.
Among the Javanese, Keris is highly valued. It is not just a weapon, but also a symbol for greatness or class in society. Only high profilers have the good ones. Some people measure it by looking at the amount of curves, the type of material it’s made of, or the existence of fingerprints on it (some are made magically by hands).
But keep in mind that it is NOT at all a functional weapon. If you like weapons like Katana, you will be disappointed in Keris. Very rarely does Keris show such perfection as Katana’s. Even the most famous ones are rough, dented, and heavily ornamented by reliefs. It is still a weapon of cultural beauty, especially for me, but it doesn’t look like it can cut well. It has a short range, funny hilt, and involves awkward positions to use that might as well hurt the wielder rather than the opponent.
The true strength of Keris lies on its mystical powers.
A Keris is never used early in a fight. It is reserved for the last moment; a last desperate attempt at a seemingly winning enemy. It is a tide turner. Even at a full scale wars. Its magical properties are so horrific and terrifying that it should only be used only when you really have to.
Its magic usually comes from the spirit that resides within. That’s why a good Keris has a name. It is considered as a living thing. The master can speak to it or ask for advices. Communication is usually done through dreams, just like the first time the master had it.
When someone has a Keris made for him/her, there are rituals that must be made. One of them involves sleeping with the weapon for a few days. If the master has nightmares, the weapon will only bring bad luck for him/her; and if the master has good dreams, the weapon will bring good luck to him/her.
As you can see, there’s a tight bond between Keris and its master; a bond that sometimes so tight, it can not be broken by death. This is the case with my great grandfather. He couldn’t die when he was supposed to, tormented in the state of not dead nor living for days, because his weapon wouldn’t let him. Only after his family did some rituals the bond was broken, and he died in peace.
In the Mahabharata, Keris is even shown to reanimate the master’s dead body in no less than two occasions.
One occasion is when Karna died after Arjuna struck his neck with his arrow. To his surprise, Karna’s body remained at still. Even the supposedly decapitated head was still on its place.
It turned out that Karna’s Keris took control of his body and keep it intact. It even spoke Karna’s voice to get Arjuna closer.
When he did move himself closer, it quickly flew from its scabbard and went directly to Arjuna. The only thing that saved him at the time was Kresna, pulling him away at the right time.
Keris is not just a symbol or a mystical weapon, it is also a loyal companion. Even after death.
