ONSIANUS BERYON TUA Pengarang SEBASTIANUS FERNANDEZ Dosen Pembimbing 1 YUNITA RENY BANI BILI Dosen Pembimbing 2 Sebastianus Fernandez Penguji 1 Yunita Reny Bani Bili Penguji 2 SOLEMAN DAPA TAKA Ketua Penguji

The problems of this study are; (1) What are the symbols found in Pati Ka Du'a Bapu Ata Mata? (2) What are the meanings of symbols found in Pati Ka Du'a Bapu Ata Mata? This study’s aims are; (1) To know what symbols are found in Pati Ka Du'a Bapu Ata Mata. (2) To know the meaning of symbols in Pati Ka Du'a Bapu Ata Mata. The method used in this research was the qualitative method and the data were taken from four Mosalakis through interviewing. The findings of this study show that there are nine symbols and their meanings found in a traditional ceremony, they are; pane (traditional bowl as a symbol of respect for the ancestors), are mera (brown rice as a symbol of gratitude for the ancestors), nake wawi (pork as a symbol of gratitude and respect for the ancestors), mbako (the cigarette as a symbol of the relationship of man and their ancestors), nata ka (betel nut is a symbol of the relationship between women and their ancestors), moke (traditional drink as a symbol of joy and relationship), nggo lamba (a traditional musical instrument that means silence and joy), datukatae (a large stone surrounded by small stones that are arranged neatly at the top of Kelimutu lake as a symbol of a place for the ancestors), Mosalaki (traditional leader as a symbol of the existence of culture who maintains the customs and traditions and social norms that have been passed down and assigned to him). Keywords: semiotic, symbol, traditional ceremony, Pati Ka Du'a Bapu Ata Mata.