Batik As Cultural Melting Pot

Throughout centuries batik making is versatile in embracing other cultures. As an item of culture, trade and fashion, batik became a melting pot of different motifs and styles. 

Here you can see Persian influence in a form of paisley motif. A design of curved teardrop can be seen in this Batik.

On this batik, you can see phoenix motifs. Phoenixes is native to Chinese culture. This batik is coastal tradition where traders from all nation came. The style is marked with tiny dots of colors throughout the fabric.

This batik piece have a clear influence of Indian culture. The motif is akin to Indian 'patola', made in batik technique and decorated with 'perada' or golden coloring. 

This delicately made batik shows a Peranakan culture influence. The influence shows through combination of soft colours, floral arrangements and addition of butterflies on the batik. 

This batik motifs features bouquet of flowers, a tradition native to Europe. The motif came since involvement of European in the batik workshops and production. The simple combination of colors and flower bouquet became a signature of this batik style.  

This head wrapping batik is a fine example to show the influence of Arabic/Islamic culture on batik making. 
This is shown in Arabic letters written around the head cloth and the choice of colors which is in shade of turkish red, deep blue indigo.

See more batiks or learn about how batik is made.