Reading Signs and Meanings in the Lyrical Text of Padhang Bulan: A Semiotic Analysis from a Linguistic Perspective

Abstract

This study examined the linguistic signs and layered meanings contained in the traditional Javanese song Padhang Bulan through a semiotic–linguistic approach. The research aimed to uncover how denotative, connotative, and symbolic meanings were constructed in the lyrics and how these meanings reflected the cultural worldview of Javanese society. A qualitative descriptive design was employed, involving close reading, transcription, and coding of linguistic units, followed by semiotic interpretation. The analysis revealed that key lexical items such as padhang and bulan functioned as central signs that built a network of meanings associated with harmony, spiritual clarity, and communal togetherness. The study also showed that repetition, rhythm, and cohesive devices reinforced the song’s communicative and symbolic functions. Furthermore, the integration of linguistic structure and cultural symbolism demonstrated that the lyrics operated not merely as aesthetic expressions but as carriers of cultural memory and moral values. Overall, the findings indicated that Padhang Bulan served as a textual space where language, tradition, and collective identity intersected, highlighting the value of traditional songs as meaningful cultural artifacts.