TAF PUBLISHING

This study aims to reveal the philosophy of the ritual ceremony of Grebeg Maulud at Kasunanan Palace Surakarta from a functional point of view. This study used a qualitative approach. This study used a qualitative approach. The data is collected through observations, literature studies, interviews, and documentation with the society, who are the actors in the ritual. There are many studies on the Grebeg Maulud ritual ceremony. It focuses on the history and development of the ceremony; no study focuses on the relationship between the Grebeg ceremony and expressive symbols (art). This study is very important considering this ceremony is still around today, but most of the younger generation do not understand the expressive symbols in it. There is a correlation between the constituent symbols (religion) and the expressive symbol (art) in religious rituals. The constituent symbols in the Grebeg Maulud ritual are reflected in the Gunungan, which contains the philosophy of the nature of God and the relationship of humans with God to achieve the perfection of life known as the Paraning Dumadi – Manunggaling Kawula – Gusti. The expressive symbol in the Gunungan symbolizes the male and the female.