The Meaning of Popular Batik Patterns

Batik is getting more and more popular nowadays since UNESCO designated it as the world’s cultural heritage on October 2nd, 2009. The word Batik comes from Javanese language: amba which means writing and titik which means dots. So, Batik means writing dots. From thousands of Batik patterns, each of them has its own meaning. Below are the meanings of Indonesian popular Batik patterns.

Batik Parang

Batik Parang is the oldest Batik pattern from Java which has a meaning of not giving up. The pattern that looks like waves represents the sea waves which never stop moving. There are around 6 Parang patterns, which are Parang Kusumo, Parang Rusak, Parang Klitik, Parang Barong, Parang Slobog, and Parang Kecil. Back then, not all of the Parang patterns can be worn by all groups of citizens. Parang Barong could only be worn by kings for certain events. Because Barong means a lion that represents something majestic, like a king.

On the other hand, Parang Kecil could only be worn by princesses in royal families. Parang Kecil means feminine and delicate women.

Batik Truntum

It is said that Sultan Pakubuwono III made his wife named Queen Beruk sad because he wanted to his mistress in order to have kids. The sad Queen Beruk then went to meditate and saw stars in the sky. Then, she drew Truntum patterns that made the king discouraged to get married again. This is why Tantrum pattern looks like stars. This Batik pattern is often used by parents who want to wed their children. It has the meaning of unconditional love. This meaning is called tumaruntum in Javanese language.

Batik Sekar Jagad

Sekar Jagad pattern is from Solo and Yogyakarta. This Batik pattern has the meaning of a world map. ‘Kar’ in the word of Sekar comes from Dutch language which means a map. Sekar Jagad pattern represents kindness and is usually worn by experts and royal families.

Batik Mega Mendung

Mega Mendung is a popular Batik pattern from Cirebon. Mega means clouds and mendung means dark or cloudy. Just like the name, this pattern adapts the shape of clouds with graded colors. This Mega Mendung Batik pattern has a deep meaning. It means patience in facing any problems in life.

Those are the meanings of popular Batik patterns. There are still many other patterns, such as Batik Bali which is sold as Bali souvenirs. If you want to know more about Batik, you can join a Batik class.

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