Function and Meaning of Symbolism in the Memorial Ornaments of Munson and Lyman Tomb Ornaments: A Semiotic Study
Authors: R Purba Asriaty , Ginting Rosita , Oprabo Hutagaol Melki 
Published: April 2024

This article is entitled “Function and Meaning of Symbolism in the Memorial Ornaments of Munson and Lyman Tomb Ornaments: A Semiotic Study.” The study aimed to describe the from, function, and meaning of symbolism in the Memorial of Munson and Lyman. The theory used to analyze the data was Charles Sander Pierce semiotic theory, using a descriptive qualitative method. The results of the study showed that there were 21 types of from, function, and meanings of symbols on the Munson and Lyman tomb ornaments , Namely : Relief ornaments of the SS Duncan ship & Relief ornaments of Mederika Ship, Releif ornaments of the merchant, Relief ornamen of Munson and Lyman meeting with Datuk Mangkuto, Relief ornaments of barter activies, Relief Ornaments of Martonun, Manduda, dan Paragat, Releif ornaments of going home from the garden, planting rice, Relief ornaments of Munson and Lyman showing the Bible as a sign language and the king’s guard bringing Munson and Lyman to the king, Relief ornaments of king panggalamei asking Munson and Lyman, Relief ornaments of Munson and Lyman in Uning-uningi, Relief ornaments of tragic that resulted in the death of Munson and Lyman & Relief ornaments of the cross Symbol, Relief ornaments of Onan Hariara, Relief ornaments of Nommensen arrival in Batak land, Relief ornaments of the community welcoming the arrival of Nommensen, Relief ornaments of the first church, Relief ornaments of the first Zending school being built and children already started going to school, Relief ornaments of Batak graduates from Nommensen education, Relief ornaments of negotiations and peace between the Batak and the Americans, Relief ornaments of the reconstruction of the padri war, Relief ornaments of the image of Jesus Christ, Tombstone. This research concludes that there are 21 forms of symbol functions that are important to understand the message contained in the Munson and Lyman Memorial Ornament. These symbols were created to represent Munson and Lyman's journey in spreading Christianity in Batak land. There are 21 types of symbol functions, including as means of transportation, trading tools, travel documentation, buying and selling transactions, visualizing weaving activities, agriculture, communication, judicial tools, accompanying traditional ceremony processes, determining the evangelist's burden, bartering places, missionary missions, church monuments, schools, graduations, peace symbols, Padri wars, Christian religion spread, and grave markers. There are 21 types of symbol meanings, including depicting Munson and Lyman's journey, urban trade, community life details, communication visualization, language translation, correct actions in misunderstandings, judicial processes, punishments, traditional rituals, Nommensen's arrival, community acceptance of Nommensen, church construction, community education, educational outcomes, peace, Christian religion spread, and the journey of spreading the Gospel in the land of Batak.

Keywords: Memorial, Missionary, Munson and Lyman, Semiotic