kencana

Kencana is a term used in Indonesian and Malay languages that means gold or golden. It derives from the Sanskrit kaṇcana, meaning gold, and has entered Indonesian through historical cultural exchange. In contemporary usage, kencana functions as both a noun for gold and as an adjective denoting a gold-like color or quality.

The word also appears as a name component in the region, used in personal names and, less commonly, as part of family or ceremonial identifiers. Its association with value, beauty, and auspiciousness makes it a favorable element in naming practices.

In commerce and culture, kencana is frequently employed as a decorative or symbolic motif. It is used in jewelry, textiles, and ceremonial regalia to convey wealth, brightness, or high status, sometimes appearing in phrases that emphasize luxury or preciousness.

Geographically, kencana is a common toponym in Indonesia, where villages or districts may bear the word as part of longer place names. This toponymic use reflects broader naming traditions that honor material value, natural beauty, or cultural significance.