The Philosophy of National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

One of the most well-known buildings or landmarks in Jakarta, Indonesia, is Monas. In addition to representing Jakarta, Monas also represents the Indonesian people's fight for independence. Monas was founded to honor Indonesia's independence and struggle. Indonesia proclaimed its independence from Dutch colonial rule on August 17, 1945. In 1961, President Soekarno suggested building Monas to commemorate this momentous occasion. Friedrich Silaban, a well-known Indonesian architect, created the design for Monas, which was finished in 1975. Finding the philosophical significance of each side of the National Monument (Monas) is the aim of this study. This study's methodology is qualitative in nature. Since its shape is similar to that of a pestle and mortar, the outcomes obtained are the pestle and mortar's philosophical meaning. Betawi people consider the shape of Monas as a mortar used to pound rice, then there is a tongue of fire at the top of Monas which is coated in gold indicating the spirit of the Indonesian people's resistance against the invaders. The cup's courtyard is 17 meters high, representing the number 17. The area of the courtyard is 45 x 45 meters, representing the year 1945, and the height between the museum room and the cup's base is 8 meters, representing the month of August.