Wayang theatre has a special place in Javanese culture. Shadow puppet performances evolve through time by juxtaposing ancient epics with contemporary societal concerns. Wayang performances date back to at least 930 A.D. but were likely part of communal life many generations before that date. The tiger is a supporting actor within the frequently performed epics of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Tigers in Wayang are sentient beings and regarded as guardians of the forest. As visualised in this series the appearance of these mythical creatures vary widely — from white tigers to half-human creatures.
Below you can find Macan creatures in Wayang (between 1900-2004) Source: Tropenmuseum and Andreas Siagian
