Layang-layang
Layang-layang (; ) or () is the traditional cultural kites of the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali, commonly associated to the native cultures of Balinese, Javanese, Osing, and Sundanese. Layang-layang are culturally important and considered as sacred, as it is originally used in Javanism as the manifestation medium of Hyang, the native deity of Java-origin. Since 2010, various Layang-layang traditions practiced throughout Indonesia officially recognized and regarded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of Republic Indonesia as integral part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Indonesia. Nomenclature The term layang-layang is a plural form of layangan, derived from the Old Javanese word of (ꦭꦭꦪꦁꦲꦤ꧀), literally means "(shadow-)image", "soul", or "spirit" as it is used as the image manifestation or representation of Hyang, the native worshipped deity of Java (and later also adhered by the people of Bali). These term cognates to another Javanese term, namely , which also bear similar meaning, "(shadow)-image" or "figure". Both Layang-layang and Wayang-wayang plays significant roles in the cultures of Java (and Bali) to represent the supreme Hyang in a form of religious traditions and customs. Significance Religious Besides being the medium to represent Hyang itself, the Layang-layang are traditionally