The word "gunungan" in Javanese language means "like a mountain", or "similar in shape to a mountain". Gunungan is one of the physical manifest of thankfulness offerings ("sajen wilujengan" in Javanese) which is particularly made for specific purpose in a traditional ceremony such as "Wilujengan Negari" on every garebeg.

Gunungan Wadon has a shape like a mountain without a sharp angle on the top. It is also similar to an open umbrella. On the head (mustaka) there is a big cake in the form of plate with black color. On its sorrounding there are small sticks called "lidi" which is made of bamboo, and there is also sticky rice which is like the mouth of "betet", a small bird.

On the bottom part there is a structure from banana leaves. Also there are brown cakes made of sticky rice named "wajik" and also another smaller cakes and fruits. Gunungan Wadon is placed on a giant dish structured from wood which is put on "kain bangun tulak". On the four directions of the dish, there are pieces of yellow clothes.