Semiotic Landscape of Chinese Murals in Kya-Kya, Surabaya
Keywords:
Chinese Culture, Chinese Murals, Kya-Kya, Peranakan Culture, Semiotic Landscape
Abstract
This research delves into how Chinese murals in Kya-Kya, a Chinatown of Surabaya, visually convey meaning from the semiotic landscape point of view. Through Widgren's Theory of Form, Function, Process, and Context, this study seeks to discover how Chinese and Peranakan Cultures are represented in two Chinese Murals in Kya-Kya. The data source of this research is taken from the researchers’ photographs of a few representatives of Chinese Murals in Kya-Kya. The data analyzed in this study include text (words), pictures, and colors. The findings show that the murals' text, pictures, colors, and shapes carry messages closely tied to the area's history, culture, and norms. They act as complex communication tools. The first mural uses color and Chinese symbols that match traditional Chinese cultural meanings, showing solid cultural connections. The second mural focuses more on the area's history, especially the influence of Chinese immigrants and Peranakan culture on local business and daily life. This is shown through cultural icons like traditional clothes, food, and building styles, a mixture of Chinese, Peranakan, and Javanese cultures. Both murals celebrate Kya-Kya's rich cultural heritage. The implications of this research extend to developing conservation strategies that respect both the artistic qualities and cultural meanings embedded within the murals, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of how communities express and sustain their heritage in contemporary contexts.
References
Artawa, K., & Sartini, N. W. (2019). Linguistic landscapes: A study of human mobility and identity change. In Urban Studies: Border and Mobility (pp. 165–172). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429507410-26
Baral, u. N. (2017). ‘research data’ in social science methods. Journal of political science, 17, 82–104. Https://doi.org/10.3126/jps.v17i0.20515
Beaumont. (2023). Wind symbolism: meanings and cultural significance. Symbolism guide.
Boysan, H. C., & K?z?ltan, N. (2023). A semiotic landscape analysis of the film posters: Parasite, Mother and Whiplash. The Literacy Trek, 9(3), 85-114. https://doi.org/10.47216/literacytrek.1390732
Chandler, d. (2017). Semiotics: the basics. In rotuledge. Routledge. Https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118598764.ch9
Chinasage. (2018). Nature symbolism in chinese art. Chinasage. Https://www.chinasage.info/symbols/nature.htm#google_vignette
Eberhard, w. (2006). A dictionary of chinese symbols (routledge (ed.)). Routledge. Https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203038772
Fadlia, a. (2022). Kebaya encim: a representation of transcultural aesthetics, past and present. 140–159. Https://historia.id/kultur/articles/kebaya-encim-busana-tradisional-betawi-yang-melintasi-zaman-vvj7o/page/1.
Gaumond, a. (2023). 40 chinese flowers and their symbolic meanings. Petal republic. Https://www.petalrepublic.com/chinese-flowers/
Goebel, z. (2020). Semiotic landscapes: scaling indonesian multilingualism. Jurnal humaniora, 32(3), 191. Https://doi.org/10.22146/jh.57647
Gorter, D. (2013). Linguistic landscapes in a multilingual world. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 33, 190–212.
Hariyatmi, s. (2023). When the wall speaks: social semiotics analysis of (covid-19)-themed murals in indonesia. Llt journal: journal on language and language teaching, 26(1), 228–243. Https://doi.org/10.24071/llt.v26i1.5783
Hunt, j., hall, h., costa, h., sprout, e., teng, s., mcdaniel, m., boudreau, d., ramroop, t., & rutledge, k. (2023). Landscape. National geographic. Https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/landscape/
Jaworski, a., & thurlow, c. (2010). Semiotic landscapes. In semiotic landscapes: language, image, space. Continuum. Http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/bb04389576
Kusumawati, t. I. (2016). Komunikasi verbal dan nonverbal. Jurnal pendidikan dan konseling, 6(2). Https://scispace.com/pdf/komunikasi-verbal-dan-nonverbal-1wisdgiyhl.pdf
Li, x. (2014). Color words between english and chinese. Proceedings of the international conference on education, language, art and intercultural communication, 3(icelaic), 707–710. Https://doi.org/10.2991/icelaic-14.2014.186
Lindström, k. (2019). Universal heritage value, community identities and world heritage: forms, functions, processes and context at a changing mt fuji. Landscape research, 44(3), 278–291. Https://doi.org/10.1080/01426397.2019.1579899
Lindström, k., kull, k., & palang, h. (2011). Semiotic study of landscapes: an overview from semiology to ecosemiotics. Sign systems studies, 39(2/4), 12–36. Https://doi.org/10.12697/sss.2011.39.2-4.02
Liu, q. (2022). A brief analysis of the application of chinese traditional patterns in public murals. 4, 1–4. Https://doi.org/10.23977/jsoce.2022.040601
Lotman, j., & clark, w. (2005). On the semiosphere. Sign systems studies, 33(1), 205–229. Https://doi.org/10.12697/sss.2005.33.1.09
Maria pesch, a. (2021). Semiotic landscapes as constructions of multilingualism–a case study of two kindergartens. European early childhood education research journal, 29(3), 363–380. Https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293x.2021.1928725
Mcauliffe, c., & iveson, k. (2011). Art and crime (and other things besides ...): conceptualising graffiti in the city. Geography compass, 5(3), 128–143. Https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-8198.2011.00414.x
Miles, m. B., a.huberman, m., & saldaña, j. (2012). Qualitative data analysis: a methods sourcebook. Sage journal. Https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3a%2f%2fstudy.sagepub.com%2fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles%2fmiles3e_bibliography.docx&wdorigin=browselink
Mohamed, b., lah, s. C., & azmi, n. A. (2016). The use of gemstones in the chinese community. Humaniora, 7(3), 279. Https://doi.org/10.21512/humaniora.v7i3.3538
Olesen, j. (2022). Color symbolism in chinese culture: what do the traditional colors mean? Color meanings. Https://www.color-meanings.com/color-symbolism-in-chinese-culture-what-do-traditional-chinese-colors-mean/
Pradana, a. (2023). Kya-kya, surga wisata kuliner di surabaya. Antara news. Https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3801348/kya-kya-surga-wisata-kuliner-di surabaya#:~:text=pemkot surabaya membuka kembali destinasi wisata di kawasan,surabaya%2c salah satu tujuannya untuk meningkatkan ekonomi warga
Purnomo, h., waani, j. O., & wuisang, c. E. V. (2017). Gaya & karakter visual arsitektur kolonial belanda di kawasan benteng oranje ternate. Jurnal media matrasain, 14(1), 23–33. Https://ejournal.unsrat.ac.id/index.php/jmm/article/view/15443/14987
Riyanto, b., alimin, n. N., sulistyati, a. N., & kartikasari, n. N. (2023). Rebirth public creativity and reconciliation conflict towards mural in solo, indonesia (iconography-iconology analysis). Cogent arts and humanities, 10(1). Https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2023.2167319
Rudiansyah, r., & sijabat, t. S. (2022). Pengaruh budaya tionghoa terhadap kuliner di kota medan. Jurnal cakrawala mandarin, 6(2), 486. Https://doi.org/10.36279/apsmi.v6i2.110
Sakhiyya, Z., & Martin-Anatias, N. (2020). Reviving the language at risk: a social semiotic analysis of the linguistic landscape of three cities in Indonesia. International Journal of Multilingualism.
Sheng, R., & Buchanan, J. (2019). The linguistic landscape of China: A field-based study of an ancient town’s historical precinct. Studies in Literature and Language, 19(1), 79–89
Stampoulidis, georgios, bitouni, t., xyntarianos-tsiropinas, & paris. (2018). The “ black-and-white mural ” in polytechneio. Street art & urban creativity scientific journal, 1–65. Https://doi.org/10.25765/sauc.v4i2.143
Syarif, a. R., & hasyim, m. (2018). Bahasa warna?: konsep warna dalam budaya jawa dosen pengasuh?: researchgate,may. Https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325391940_bahasa_warna_konsep_warna_dalam_budaya_jawa
Widgren, m. (2004). European rural landscapes: persistence and change in a globalising environment. European rural landscapes: persistence and change in a globalising environment, january 2004. Https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-306-48512-1
Young, a. (2013). Street art, public city. In street art, public city. Routledge. Https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203796917
Baral, u. N. (2017). ‘research data’ in social science methods. Journal of political science, 17, 82–104. Https://doi.org/10.3126/jps.v17i0.20515
Beaumont. (2023). Wind symbolism: meanings and cultural significance. Symbolism guide.
Boysan, H. C., & K?z?ltan, N. (2023). A semiotic landscape analysis of the film posters: Parasite, Mother and Whiplash. The Literacy Trek, 9(3), 85-114. https://doi.org/10.47216/literacytrek.1390732
Chandler, d. (2017). Semiotics: the basics. In rotuledge. Routledge. Https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118598764.ch9
Chinasage. (2018). Nature symbolism in chinese art. Chinasage. Https://www.chinasage.info/symbols/nature.htm#google_vignette
Eberhard, w. (2006). A dictionary of chinese symbols (routledge (ed.)). Routledge. Https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203038772
Fadlia, a. (2022). Kebaya encim: a representation of transcultural aesthetics, past and present. 140–159. Https://historia.id/kultur/articles/kebaya-encim-busana-tradisional-betawi-yang-melintasi-zaman-vvj7o/page/1.
Gaumond, a. (2023). 40 chinese flowers and their symbolic meanings. Petal republic. Https://www.petalrepublic.com/chinese-flowers/
Goebel, z. (2020). Semiotic landscapes: scaling indonesian multilingualism. Jurnal humaniora, 32(3), 191. Https://doi.org/10.22146/jh.57647
Gorter, D. (2013). Linguistic landscapes in a multilingual world. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 33, 190–212.
Hariyatmi, s. (2023). When the wall speaks: social semiotics analysis of (covid-19)-themed murals in indonesia. Llt journal: journal on language and language teaching, 26(1), 228–243. Https://doi.org/10.24071/llt.v26i1.5783
Hunt, j., hall, h., costa, h., sprout, e., teng, s., mcdaniel, m., boudreau, d., ramroop, t., & rutledge, k. (2023). Landscape. National geographic. Https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/landscape/
Jaworski, a., & thurlow, c. (2010). Semiotic landscapes. In semiotic landscapes: language, image, space. Continuum. Http://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/bb04389576
Kusumawati, t. I. (2016). Komunikasi verbal dan nonverbal. Jurnal pendidikan dan konseling, 6(2). Https://scispace.com/pdf/komunikasi-verbal-dan-nonverbal-1wisdgiyhl.pdf
Li, x. (2014). Color words between english and chinese. Proceedings of the international conference on education, language, art and intercultural communication, 3(icelaic), 707–710. Https://doi.org/10.2991/icelaic-14.2014.186
Lindström, k. (2019). Universal heritage value, community identities and world heritage: forms, functions, processes and context at a changing mt fuji. Landscape research, 44(3), 278–291. Https://doi.org/10.1080/01426397.2019.1579899
Lindström, k., kull, k., & palang, h. (2011). Semiotic study of landscapes: an overview from semiology to ecosemiotics. Sign systems studies, 39(2/4), 12–36. Https://doi.org/10.12697/sss.2011.39.2-4.02
Liu, q. (2022). A brief analysis of the application of chinese traditional patterns in public murals. 4, 1–4. Https://doi.org/10.23977/jsoce.2022.040601
Lotman, j., & clark, w. (2005). On the semiosphere. Sign systems studies, 33(1), 205–229. Https://doi.org/10.12697/sss.2005.33.1.09
Maria pesch, a. (2021). Semiotic landscapes as constructions of multilingualism–a case study of two kindergartens. European early childhood education research journal, 29(3), 363–380. Https://doi.org/10.1080/1350293x.2021.1928725
Mcauliffe, c., & iveson, k. (2011). Art and crime (and other things besides ...): conceptualising graffiti in the city. Geography compass, 5(3), 128–143. Https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-8198.2011.00414.x
Miles, m. B., a.huberman, m., & saldaña, j. (2012). Qualitative data analysis: a methods sourcebook. Sage journal. Https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3a%2f%2fstudy.sagepub.com%2fsites%2fdefault%2ffiles%2fmiles3e_bibliography.docx&wdorigin=browselink
Mohamed, b., lah, s. C., & azmi, n. A. (2016). The use of gemstones in the chinese community. Humaniora, 7(3), 279. Https://doi.org/10.21512/humaniora.v7i3.3538
Olesen, j. (2022). Color symbolism in chinese culture: what do the traditional colors mean? Color meanings. Https://www.color-meanings.com/color-symbolism-in-chinese-culture-what-do-traditional-chinese-colors-mean/
Pradana, a. (2023). Kya-kya, surga wisata kuliner di surabaya. Antara news. Https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3801348/kya-kya-surga-wisata-kuliner-di surabaya#:~:text=pemkot surabaya membuka kembali destinasi wisata di kawasan,surabaya%2c salah satu tujuannya untuk meningkatkan ekonomi warga
Purnomo, h., waani, j. O., & wuisang, c. E. V. (2017). Gaya & karakter visual arsitektur kolonial belanda di kawasan benteng oranje ternate. Jurnal media matrasain, 14(1), 23–33. Https://ejournal.unsrat.ac.id/index.php/jmm/article/view/15443/14987
Riyanto, b., alimin, n. N., sulistyati, a. N., & kartikasari, n. N. (2023). Rebirth public creativity and reconciliation conflict towards mural in solo, indonesia (iconography-iconology analysis). Cogent arts and humanities, 10(1). Https://doi.org/10.1080/23311983.2023.2167319
Rudiansyah, r., & sijabat, t. S. (2022). Pengaruh budaya tionghoa terhadap kuliner di kota medan. Jurnal cakrawala mandarin, 6(2), 486. Https://doi.org/10.36279/apsmi.v6i2.110
Sakhiyya, Z., & Martin-Anatias, N. (2020). Reviving the language at risk: a social semiotic analysis of the linguistic landscape of three cities in Indonesia. International Journal of Multilingualism.
Sheng, R., & Buchanan, J. (2019). The linguistic landscape of China: A field-based study of an ancient town’s historical precinct. Studies in Literature and Language, 19(1), 79–89
Stampoulidis, georgios, bitouni, t., xyntarianos-tsiropinas, & paris. (2018). The “ black-and-white mural ” in polytechneio. Street art & urban creativity scientific journal, 1–65. Https://doi.org/10.25765/sauc.v4i2.143
Syarif, a. R., & hasyim, m. (2018). Bahasa warna?: konsep warna dalam budaya jawa dosen pengasuh?: researchgate,may. Https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325391940_bahasa_warna_konsep_warna_dalam_budaya_jawa
Widgren, m. (2004). European rural landscapes: persistence and change in a globalising environment. European rural landscapes: persistence and change in a globalising environment, january 2004. Https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-306-48512-1
Young, a. (2013). Street art, public city. In street art, public city. Routledge. Https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203796917
Published
2025-05-01
How to Cite
Linuwih, E., Harijanto, S., & Fadilah, E. (2025). Semiotic Landscape of Chinese Murals in Kya-Kya, Surabaya. Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics, 10(1), 145-157. https://doi.org/10.21462/ijefl.v10i1.883
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2025 Indonesian Journal of EFL and Linguistics
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
