The history of ondel-ondel traditional art later became a Betawi icon. Many sources say that ondel-ondel is used as a complement in the implementation of traditional ceremonies, including those relating to the success of an abundant harvest. Traditional ceremonies are carried out as thanksgiving to the Creator for his generosity in bestowing prosperity, traditions for parading the bride and groom for circumcision to the bridal accompaniment accompanied by various sounds, musical instruments from drums, and kenong, to trumpets. Ondel-ondel besides being a symbol of the city of Jakarta, also has meaning in every color, shape, and choice of motif. Ondel-ondel also shows evidence of the significant influence of each ethnic group from Sunda Kelapa, Jayakarta, and Batavia, to Jakarta. The embodiment of ondel-ondel in the Betawi community is shown with the faces and characters of a male doll in red and a female doll in white. The red and white colors symbolize the balance of the two-color elements and the balance between the two forces. Ondel-ondel is always paired with the philosophy of balance in various ethnic groups worldwide. The decoration on the head is a coconut flower which reminds us how this city used to have lots of palm or coconut trees in its coastal areas. The city of Jakarta has always been known for its port – it used to be known as the Sunda Head port. In detail, some objects from onde-ondel are interesting to note: 1. Girl doll (white face color) 2. Boy doll (red face color) 3. Coconut flower (decoration on the head as hair from ondel-ondel doll) 4. The crown 5. Kebaya encim 6. Sadaria clothes or ends oblique (traditional clothes for men) 7. Scarves with floral motifs 8. Checkered sarong (cukin) The crown on the head of this ondel-ondel is a symbol of the kingdom's glory in the history of Jakarta city.

The male ondel-ondel object is reminiscent of the prince of Jayakarta, whose name means victory. In contrast, the female ondel-ondel symbolizes Chinese encim, representing trade relations with China because Chinese women often use this clothing. The clothes worn by male ondel-ondel are Banu Sadaria or tip serong, which is the traditional clothing of men for the Betawi community and is influenced by the Arabs. Also, the difference between the sashes on the male ondel-ondel uses a plaid motif with the presence of a courgette sarong, while at the bottom, it also displays the presence of a Jamblang sarong. Meanwhile, the male ondel-ondel clothes are in the form of a scarf on the female ondel-ondel body with floral motives as a symbol of the fertility of the city's soil. At the same time, the motifs in other women's ondel-ondel clothes are the Betawi Batik motif symbolizing flora and fauna. The history and phenomenon of lenong began at the beginning of the 20th century, to be precise around 1910, when the comedy of the nobility became the official lenong, and the stambul comedy became known as lenong preman. The art of lenong has finally got its place in Betawi society. Like traditional theatrical performances, lenong provides an opportunity for interactive, spontaneous dialogue and does not always refer to the script, as well as a stage that is not always a proscenium stage but can be presented in a flat form or arena theater.