Cultural Destination

Embrace the spirit of the place!

Surabaya City of Heroes

Surabaya Metropolitan Landscape (photo: Ivan Consigliere, Wikipedia)

The Monument of Heroes (photo: Traveloka)

Surabaya City of Heroes

Surabaya is the capital of East Java province. It is a vibrant and active metropolis with a lot of history and traditions. Modern skyscrapers mingle with historic buildings from the time of Dutch colonization. This city is known as the “City of Heroes” in commemoration of the great struggle mounted by soldiers and civil fighters in the Great Battle against Dutch Colonialists on 10 November 1945. The city also has unique religious architectural heritages scattered in the city. In addition to the magnificent Buddhist and Hindu temples in the city center, you will find historical mosques that assimilate Chinese and Arabic architecture, such as the Cheng Ho Mosque and Ampel Denta Mosque.

Cultural Tourism Destination

Surabaya City of Heroes

Tourist Attractions in East Java

East Java

Batik Motifs

Samudra

This art painting means to be strong-willed person to pursue

Gajah Mungkur

Semantically, it means a huge longing emotion trapped in the

Sekar Jati

Sekar means flower and Jati refers to teak trees that symbolizes a strong mental character that

Gedhog Kembang Waluh

a combination of Javanese cultural motif of the Majapahit kingdom (XII-XIV century) with

 

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Indonesian

Batik

Motifs

Sekomandi

Its philosophical meaning is the eternal union which refers to a saying “until death do us part”

Durian Pecah

Broken Durian motifs depict the foundation of faith. The second half signifies the mastery of

Ondel-ondel

Ondel – ondel is Betawi traditional icons. This motif signifies

Waruga

Minahasa batik motifs are adopted from Waruga. Waruga is the

Tengkawang Ampiek

With its many advantages, the Dayaks use this leaf in ritual ceremonies. This plant is a symbol of

Keluak Daun Pakis

The word “Keluak” is a Minang language which means twisted or tangled. The Motif of

Tifa Papua

This motif was derived from traditional Papuan musical instruments,

Ikan tambal

The word “Ikan” refers to fish. The philosophical meaning of Ikan Tambal means is

Bekantan Pakis

This motif represents Pakis Haji (Polystichum setiferum), an endemic plant in

Lontara

The Lontara script itself is a typical ancient script of Bugis and Makassar communities. History records that

Tifa Totobuang

The batik motifs illustrate Maluku’s traditional music instrument called

Pinawetengan

The Pinawetengan Batik pattern was taken from a prehistoric inscription in

Sero Tangga

The Sero Tangga illustrates an endearing feeling and sacrifices of a person to fulfil

Ukir Sentani

The Ukir motif is a batik motif that is inspired by various traditional Sentani wood carvings

Pohon Hayat (Tree of Life)

The Batik motifs in Lampung are dominated by the acculturation of Buddhist and

Parang Seling

Parang Seling or “alternating daggers” is a royal batik motif. It is a feminine variant of

Pucuk Rebung Riau

Pucuk Rebung symbolizes heart determination in achieving goals, good luck, and

Karawo Mahkuta

Mahkuta refers to Gorontalo’s traditional crown. It represents noble characters of

Penari Melayu

Penari Melayu illustrates the traditional dance of Malay ethnic in

Lok Baintan Floating Market

As you can imagine, the most authentic thing is that you can buy things and even

Jagung

The philosophy of the corn motif illustrates the dream and

La Galigo

La Galigo is a literary work of the Buginese Epic that has 300 thousand epic lines. It is considered even

Wirasat

Wirasat or divine inspiration is a gift from God. This inspiration is symbolized by

Tanah Liek

The word “Tanah Liek” refers to clay in Minang language. It is also known as

Tidayu

The name of this motif is the acronym of three ethnics namely,

Karawo Pinang

Pinang refers to the Palm areca tree. This motif is considered as the original

Gonggong Beruntun

This motif illustrates that a person should maintain a positive attitude and

Bintik Tujuh

The Bintik Tujuh (Seven Dots) motif has 7 white spots and green color gradation as

Taiganja

Taiganja is a precious gold pendant that shows the social status of the Kaili family. It is

Jumputan Bintang

The word Jumputan means the tie-dye technique, while the word “Bintang” refers to

Rangkiang

The word “Rangkiang” refers to the rice granary in the Minangkabau language. It symbolizes

Kaganga Tanah Rejang

If Batik Besurek combines Arabic calligraphy motifs, then the Kaganga batik takes

Kerawang Tegak Aceh

The Vertical Upright (Kerawang Tegak) Motif symbolizes a person who has a strong

Daun Sirih

This motif illustrates betel leaves that are used by Lombok communities as traditional

Sido Mulyo

Sidomulyo is one of the classical motifs, which is specifically used for the bride’s costume in

Leuit Sijimat

This motif reflects the daily activities of the Baduy tribe in Banten. The main ornaments of batik motif consist of:

Lipaq Sabe

Lipaq Saqbe contains a simple geometric classical motif with various flower decorations. This textile is

Mahkota Siger

Siger is the crown of a noblewoman in ancient time. It is a symbol of femininity, strength, and

Merak Ngeram

The hatching peacock motif has a very deep meaning which refers to the sacrifice and

Hiu Taliyasan

Indonesia is also home to the world’s largest fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). Hiu Taliyasan refers to

Tangerang Herang

Tangerang Herang motif is a symbol of Tangerang city. The Tangerang Herang batik motif consists of

Parang Rusak

Another meaning behind this motif is an unconquerable spirit, symbolized by

Gurdo Solo

Gurdo or garuda bird is the mount of the Indian god Vishnu. As the Sun Bird,

Paqbarre Allo

The word “Barre” means round and “Allo” means the sunlight. This motif is interpreted as

Biji Kopi

The coffee seeds motif illustrates the pride of local coffee specialities in

Kamaro Timika

This motif is inspired by sacred symbols of Kamaro communities in

Prada Papua

The word “Prada” in the Javanese-Indonesian dialect means a batik textile that

Gumin Tambun

Based on Hindu mythology, this motif symbolizes lucks, abundant wealth, and

Raja Ampat

Raja Ampat motif represents the marine life at Raja Ampat archipelago in

Cengkeh

The clove flower motif is the main commodity of the Tolitoli Regency. This motif represents

Pati-Pati Pinehiku

It symbolizes the hierarchy in society and the social status of the Mekongga

Kaharingan

The Kaharingan or ‘tree of life’ based on the Dayak tribes’ belief system. This tree symbolizes

Merak Lasem

The peacock is considered to be the king of the birds. It represents

Pisang Bali

This batik motif is usually given by a person to his/her lover who is

Rutun Penyu

This motif describes the local wisdom which favours modesty and

Tabir Tanjung

Tanjung flower is a type of Cherry tree flower, which is commonly found in

Gamolan

This motif illustrates Gamolan, a bamboo musical instrument of Lampung that is

Tongkonan

Toraja’s traditional house is called Tongkonan. Tongkonan is a place for

Besurek Rafflesia

The term “Basurek” refers to a textile that contains letters or inscriptions

Singayaksa

The Singayaksa motif comes from the name of a place where Sultan Hasanuddin used to

Bultiya

The word ‘Bultiya’ is an acronym of the three major tribes in North Kalimantan, namely

Burung Bidadari

Bidadari birds are endemic birds in Halmahera. This motif represents an

Sandeq

Sandeq Boat is a symbol of the maritime importance of the West Sulawesi region. The greatness of

Bale Lumbu

This motif signifies the welfare of the ancient Sasak society. Bale also symbolizes the

Enggang Dayak

Local people beliefs that hornbills are an incarnation of the Commander of the Birds. It has supernatural

Gorga Simeol-Meol

The Gorga Simeol-meol is a pattern of plant tendrils. it is regarded as a symbol of longevity and

Desa Na Tolu

The Desa Na Tolu characteristic pattern symbolizes the Batak philosophy of existence and

Sinaran

This pattern originates from Cirebon. It represents the reflection of

Tampuk Manggis Sasirangan

The motif illustrates the philosophy of the mangosteen fruit, which is

Pintu Aceh

The motif is inspired by Aceh’s traditional architecture that has

Gentala Arasy

Built as high as 80 meters, the tower also highlights the historical side of

Rasamala

The Rasamala Batik motif is associated with a story when the Dutch came

Insang Ikan

Insang refers to the gills of the fish. This is a typical pattern of Malay ethnic who inhabits

Daun Simpor

This motif is inspired by the Simpor plant (Dillenia Suffruticosa) which is a typical

Teluk Tomini

This motif illustrates the beauty of underwater life in

Banji Cirebon

The Banji motif is the symbol of protection and

Srimanganti

The name of the Srimanganti motif is derived from Palace’s hallway that connects to

Abimanyu Prince

This motif implies a hope that the wearer will have the wisdom of

Alam Pantai

The word “Alam Pantai” refers to the natural beauty of

Samudra

This art painting means to be strong-willed person to pursue

Gonggong Siput

Gonggong (Strombus Turturella) is one type of sea snail found around

Mega Mendung

Mega Mendung signifies the cloud. This motif means to stay

Rumah Mamuju

the Batik motif illustrates the house of Mamuju King with the stairs, located on the left of the wooden stage house

Asmat Papua

The batik motif illustrates the Asmat’s sacred tribal motifs that are

Ceplok Gayo Aceh

The variety of colors shows the differences in society that

Salakanagara

Salakanagara batik motif illustrates the first kingdom in the Betawi land

Buketan Bali

The Balinese bouquet (Buketan Bali) is a floral arrangement and the name is

Malinau Cultural Festival

You will witness a unique competition that might not be found other than in

Ake Patra

Ake is related to the divinity and the composition of the universe. It is a symbol of

Daun Lada Hitam

The black pepper motif represents the main commodity of Bangka Belitung

Tikar Natuna

The Tikar Natuna motif is adapted from the traditional making of pandanus mats in

Bomba Mawar

This motif means sacred love for family, kingdom, and God; It also illustrates

Wakatobi

It symbolizes the coastal beauty of the Wakatobi island and the symbol of Patra symbolizes

Kuda Sepasang

For the people of Kupang, having a strong horse is a matter of

Gajah Mungkur

Semantically, it means a huge longing emotion trapped in the

Pala Salawaku

This motif illustrates the unique weapons of the Maluku region, namely

Bunga Raye

Raye Flower motif also represents a wish for

Kalo Sara

Kalo Sara is a sacred motif for Tolaki ethnic. It is considered as

Peresean

The Peresean is a game that sometimes some kinds of magic are

Pattimura

Pattimura is the name of an Indonesian hero who fought against colonialism in