REPRESENTASI KEMBANG TUJUH RUPA SEBAGAI SIMBOL KOMUNIKASI BUDAYA DALAM RITUAL PELET KANDUNG DI MADURA (Studi Kasus pada Masyarakat Desa Ketapang Daya, Kecamatan Ketapang, Kabupaten Sampang)

The Pelet Kandung tradition is a form of cultural practice of the Madurese people that is still preserved to this day, especially in Sampang Regency. This ritual is not only interpreted as a form of prayer for the safety of pregnant women and their unborn babies, but also as a medium of cultural communication rich in symbolic meaning. This study aims to understand the representation of the seven-shaped flower as a symbol of cultural communication in the Pelet Kandung ceremony. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive type. Data collection techniques were carried out through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation with ten subjects selected using a purposive sampling technique. Data analysis used an interactive model with triangulation techniques to test the validity of the data. The results show that the seven-shaped flower is interpreted as a symbol of prayer, hope, and protection that is conveyed non-verbally. The fragrance of the flower represents good prayers, while its use in the ritual procession strengthens the spiritual and emotional experience for the ritual participants. In addition, the seven-shaped flower also functions as a medium of cultural communication that strengthens social solidarity and becomes a marker of the cultural identity of the Madurese people.