THE SYMBOLIC AGENCY OF HERITAGE AS A HISTORICAL TOURISM DESTINATION : A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the types and semiotical meaning of the historical heritage buildings in the city of Medan, especially in Maimun Palace, The Grand Mosque Al-Mashun, and Shri Mariamman Temple. This study employed a qualitative approach in accordance with Charles Sanders Pierce's theory and was based on semiotic fields, including culture codes such as architecture and ornament. The data was analyzed using a descriptive analysis technique, which involved locating and interpreting the symbol in the historical heritage buildings. The data was obtained from the guardian or guide who guards the heritage sites at Maimun Palace, The Grand Mosque Al-Mashun, and Shri Mariamman Temple by observation and interview. The findings of this study revealed that there are 31 semiotics signs found in the three historical heritage sites in the city of Medan that characterize the sign in accordance with the meaning of the ornamentation and architecture. The 31 semiotics signs that found in the three historical heritage sites are: Maimun Palace (11), the Grand Mosque Al-Mashun (11), and Shri Mariamman Temple (9). The dominant types of semiotics in the three historical heritage buildings are symbols. It can be concluded that the interpretive meaning of signs in historical heritage buildings is a form of cultural symbol that reflects the cultural values in the historical heritage building.