Indonesian Culture-Motif Batik

Parang Motif

In a previous article we describe a glimpse of Indonesian batik and culture that followed,namely the origin of batik development, from the era of empire to the present. In various manuscript notes, Indonesian batik consist of a variety of patterns or motifs. Batik art is not just coloring cloth, but rather on the meaning and philosophy and the message delivered by the manufacturer or the wear.

Art and Traditional Motif Batik. Indonesian batik has been very well known worldwide in different parts of the country. In various European countries, regions such as Asia, Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia,Thailand, the Philippines and other countries. Besides motif "Parang Rusak" the motif of batik in the early development
should only be worn by the nobles, another motif batik others are still very many kinds.

Culture and art are inseparable, the motive can also be a sign of where their families originated, or indicate one's social status, such as a common motif worn by the family palace of Yogyakarta and Surakarta. The family palace wearing a batik in accordance with the existence of the palace as a symbol of society or the role of guidance as awilling sacrifice for others that is the motive kawung, which means that the wearer shouldbe useful for the community as well as leaf kawung.

The message and Art Motif Batik. Art or style batik motif also take the meaning of a message of humanity, such as about love, success, nature, and others. For example sido asih motif that is describing the eternal love, another example is the motive sido mukti sustainable means hoping good fortune, the house motif containing life expectancy can be established, butterfly motif containing a message of patience and continuation of family lineage, meaningful aspirations wing motif, floral motif describe the fragrance.

Mostly batik motifs and symbols taken from ancient Javanese Hindu religion which at the time as the main religion of Java. As the development of the era and the cultural influence of China which at that time already began to arrive to the Javanese, batik motifs have evolved. Even in those days the Chinese batik industry pioneers such as coastal areas Lasem Rembang and Pekalongan Regency. Finally came another batik motifs such as lotus flower motif, a phoenix, and dragon. The basic color is not just brown batik, colors like red, yellow, purple and then appear.

(Pang Budito from various sources)