The Characteristics of Batik Bali and the Meaning Behind It

As an island in the east of Java, Bali apparently also has a variety of batik motifs that are no less interesting than batik on other islands. Batik motif is a framework or arrangement of images on fabric in the form of a combination of shapes, lines, symbols, or isen into a single unit as a whole. Batik Bali as an Indonesian cultural heritage has its own meaning according to history, the origin of the place and the motifs contained therein.

The history of Batik Bali began around 1970, one of which was pioneered by Pande Ketut Krisna who came from Banjar Tegeha, Batubulan Village, Sukawati, Gianyar, Bali. Ketut Krisna applies the stamp batik technique with the help of a manual or ordinary loom on a piece of cloth. Batik cloth is very closely related to the people of Bali for the purposes of various traditional ceremonies or religious rituals. This batik cloth is usually used to be tied to the waist or as a headband.

Characteristics of Batik Bali’s Motif

All types of batik motifs in Indonesia have their own characteristics as a symbol of the identity of certain tribes or national groups to distinguish batik from one region to another. Generally, some of the characteristics of Batik Bali include; tourist style patterns of shades of natural Bali, for example shoe flower patterns, frangipani flowers, bird patterns, fish, to the description of the Bali’s people in everyday life. Then, there are patterns with cultural motifs such as cremation or religious ceremonies, as well as patterns that emphasize Bali’s mythology such as barong, kala, buto, and winged lions. To be more specific, below are a few samples of Balinese batik patterns accompanied by the meanings contained therein.

Buketan Motif

As the name implies buketan means a bunch of flowers and this name comes from French. This Batik Bali motif is in the form of flower plants or small plants arranged along the fabric with additional decorations in the form of butterflies, hongs, storks, and cellulites that add to the aesthetic value.

Abyorhokokai Merak Bali Motif

This motif is a motif that gives freedom of expression in works of art with an abstract motifs which are difficult to understand. But the abstract motif has another side in terms of the main allure of the uniqueness of the Balinese motif. Abyorhokokai Merak as a Batik Bali motifs depict the beauty of the peacock as the main axis of the fabric and accompanied by petals resembling cherry blossoms. Abyorhokokai’s peacock is influenced by Japanese culture. This peacock is also able to interpret how the beauty of the Island of the Gods with peacock as the main symbol.

Balinese Dancers Motifs

The next motif is a batik motif that is identical to Balinese dancers. Lots of typical dances on the island of Bali, both dances in ritual, culture, ceremony and reception. The batik craftsmen introduced many of these dances to the world through batik motifs. Batik Bali motif dancers describe the meaning of a dancer who is demonstrating one of the Balinese dance movements. Batik like this is often used by female dancers.