Each type of batik design carries its own legacy of graceful beauty and tells its own story, many which have been considered to have mystical powers or to resemble good fortune. While batik is strongly associated with culture and royalty, many of the motifs display geometrical abstractions of lotus flowers, buds, and seeds, or symbolize nature in the form of animals or the elements of the earth. On this journey we will take a closer look at several special batik patterns that embody the nature theme: Udan Liris, Sewu Kuto, and Alas-Alasan.
The Udan Liris a perfect example of the nature motif. Udan Liris means light rain, or drizzling. This particular design symbolizes fertility and traditionally displays earth tone colors and holds a diagonal line pattern, similar to the Parang style. This motif is known to be ‘lyrical’, strung with parallel lines to represent falling rain. The time during a rain fall, especially to the Javanese villagers, flourishes an atmosphere for family, neighbors, and friends to gather together and talk about life. It’s a moment where everyone comes together; sharing stories, memories, dreams, hopes, and fears, all the while looking yonder at the falling rain outside or from a distance. It’s a reminder that you must be brave during difficult times, regardless of what the weather may bring. Communicating and working together brings promising resolutions when we are strong for each other.
Sewu Kuto is another fascinating batik style that often incorporates images of animals and nature in its design. The Javanese meaning for Sewu Kuto literally means ‘One Thousand Cities’, which is a metaphor that represents a myriad of mixed interpretations, often in the form of plants, butterflies, cranes, flowers, branches, vines, wind, and water. The overall motif reflects a collective phenomenon of the physical world and its elements, all which appear together in one place in the midst of a ‘crowded’ scene or situation. It brings peace where there is chaos, breathing life and balance into fabric.
Nonika Baby Toddler Batik Dress in USA Sewu Kuto White
Alas-alasan, or forest, is ceremonially aesthetic and symbolizes the fruitfulness and protection of the earth. Like a forest that includes both living animals and plants surviving together, this pattern is orchestrated with an abundance of floral and fauna motifs that are sometimes elaborated in detailed linings and showcased through an array of bold colors. The extraordinary beauty of this pattern relates to the characteristics of human nature. As humans we do not always co-exist peacefully, but it is a reminder that harmony can be achieved. The philosophy behind this motif is that people should reflect and contemplate upon what they have done and what they have learned in life—mistakes, accomplishments, defeats, and triumphs, as everything returns back to the composition of ‘nature’ which is symbolized by the stronghold of the forest, or wood. The design is displayed in a crowded composition, and representative of all the things that occur in nature, whether catastrophic or blissful.
Nonika Alas-alasan Princess Collection
These motifs are a reminder that we are in this life together and can indeed create a world of harmony and balance.
~From R.J with Love
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