The sculpture depicts a goddess, namely Dewi Sri. Culturally and artistically, a statue
of Dewi Sri holding a stalk or sheaf of rice represents the Goddess of Rice, the Goddess of Fertility, and the Goddess of Prosperity in Javanese and Balinese Hindu mythology.Literally, the sculpture represents the figure of Dewi Sri herself (also known as Rara Sri in the Javanese tradition or Bhatari Sri in the Balinese tradition). She is revered as the manifestation of the shakti (divine feminine energy) of Lord Vishnu, the deity who sustains and preserves life in the universe.
- Depicted as a Beautiful and Graceful Young Goddess: Dewi Sri is consistently portrayed as a beautiful young woman with a calm, dignified presence, while radiating the warmth and gentleness of a nurturing mother. Her image symbolizes peace, harmony, and prosperity.
- Holding a Stalk or Sheaf of Rice: The statue typically depicts Dewi Sri holding a stalk or sheaf of ripened rice, either in one hand (usually the right hand) or gently cradled against her chest. The rice symbolizes the source of life, prosperity, and food security. The bowed rice stalk also conveys a philosophical message of humility: the fuller it becomes, the lower it bends.
- Royal Attire and Sacred Regalia: Dewi Sri is portrayed wearing the traditional royal attire of ancient Java or Bali, complete with an ornate crown (gelung), a kemben (traditional chest cloth), and finely crafted jewelry. These attributes signify her exalted status as one of the principal goddesses revered by agrarian communities.
Philosophically, the character of Dewi Sri embodies noble values that serve as guiding principles for society.
- Nurturing and Sustaining Life (Sustenance): As the consort of Lord Vishnu (the Preserver), Dewi Sri embodies the role of nurturing and sustaining life by safeguarding the availability of food and water, ensuring that humanity is protected from hunger.
- Symbol of Mother Earth (Pertiwi): The rice that grows from the earth through the blessings of Dewi Sri affirms her role as the embodiment of fertile land the nurturing womb of nature from which all life is born.
- Ecological Balance: The presence of Dewi Sri statues often placed in rice fields, sacred land boundaries (penunggun karang), or rice barns (lumbung padi) serves as a reminder for humans to maintain harmony with nature, to care for crops, and to respect every grain of food that is consumed.
- In Balinese tradition, the character and sacred abode (stana) of Bhatari Sri are particularly venerated at temples such as Pura Bedugul or Pura Ulun Danu, which are associated with and help regulate the subak irrigation system. This underscores her role as the vital heart of agrarian life.
