10 Most Popular Batik Motifs from Several Regions in Indonesia

Indonesia is an archipelagic country that is rich in various cultures. One of them is batik cloth which has been recognized by the world, both local and foreign. In fact, it has also been recognized by UNESCO on October 2, 2009 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). Batik is a noble national culture that has beautiful patterns and colors, where each motif has its own philosophy. 

Indonesia has a variety of batik fabrics, including their motifs. Every region in Indonesia has its own characteristic batik motifs, from these unique motifs we can recognize where the batik motifs come from. The following are the 10 most popular batik motifs from several regions in Indonesia.

1. Motif Batik Tujuh Rupa form Pekalongan

Motif Batik Tujuh Rupa from Pekalongan is very thick with natural nuances. In general, Pekalongan batik displays motifs depicting animals or plants. These motifs are taken from various mixtures of local culture and Chinese ethnicity. The reason is, Pekalongan used to be a transit point for traders from various countries. 

Thus, the acculturation of culture is what makes Pekalongan batik very distinctive from nature, especially the jlamprang motif, the buketan motif, the Terang Bulan motif, the Semen motif, the Pisang Bali motif and the Lung-Lungan motif.

2. Motif Batik Sogan from Solo

Batik Sogan a type of classic nuanced batik. It is called Batik Sogan because in the beginning, the coloring process of this batik used natural dyes taken from the soga tree wood. Batik Sogan Classical is a type of batik that is synonymous with the Javanese palace areas, namely Yogyakarta and Solo, and the motifs usually follow the classic palace motifs. Batik Sogan from Yogya and Solo can also be distinguished by their color. Usually the dominant Yogya sogan is dark brown-black and white, while the Solo sogan is brown-orange and brown. 

The classic color of Sogan batik itself is full of meaning. This is explained in Serat Wirid Hidayat Jati, the golden yellow color is part of the symbol of the palace of the bird race, a nation of flying creatures, the locus color of the spiritual journey after the revelation of the Alam Siriyah. These color patterns are symbols that were known before the presence of Islam in Java, and in its development were then processed again by the Wali Songo.

3. Motif Batik Gentongan from Madura

Batik Tulis Madura has a strong character, characterized freely without using patterns with bold colors, red, yellow, light green. There are at least a thousand Madura batik motifs, one of which is very popular is the Gentongan motif. 

The Batik gentongan motif features simple abstract shapes, plants or a combination of both in bright colors, namely red, green, yellow or purple. The name gentongan is adapted from the barrel, which is pottery used as a container for dyeing batik cloth in liquid colors.

4. Motif Batik Mega Mendung From Cirebon

The Motif Mega Mendung is one of the typical batik motifs of Cirebon, West Java, which is popular among tourists thanks to its unique shape and color combination. In the hands of batik artisans, a variety of creative, soft colors from this mega mendung motif were born. 

The Mega Mendung batik motif is quite simple but gives a luxurious impression. The overcast motif on the brightly colored mega sky is what makes Mega Mendung batik very suitable for both old and young people, both women and men.

5. Motif Batik Kraton Yogyakarta

Keraton batik motifs originate from Javanese culture which is thick with the palace and sultanate systems. This palace batik symbolizes wisdom, wisdom, and also the charisma of the Javanese kings. Previously, this batik from Yogya could only be used by palace residents, but now it is commonly used by everyone. 

The hallmark of the Keraton batik motif is a symmetrical floral or bird motif known as the sawat lar motif. This motif is arguably the most widely used by both Indonesians and foreigners.

6. Motif Batik Simbut from Banten

The Batik Simbut motif from Banten is in the shape of a leaf that resembles a taro leaf. This motif is the simplest motif, only arranging and tidying up one type of motif. The Simbut motif originates from the inland Bedouin tribe in Sunda which is thick with old civilizations. 

However, over time, the Bedouins who accepted modernity developed this batik in the coastal areas of Banten. So the Simbut motif is also known as Batik Banten.

7. Batik Motif Pring Sedapur from Magetan

The Batik Pring Sedapur Motif is a typical Batik from the Magetan area which comes from a village on the slopes of Mount Lawu which is laden with bamboo trees. Precisely in Papringan Hamlet, Sidomukti Village, Plaosan District. Pring in Javanese is bamboo. Pring Sedapur means a cluster of bamboo trees. The Pring Sedapur batik motif has a very high philosophical meaning. 

The Pring Sedapur batik motif has a characteristic that is simple but elegant. The motif used is a bamboo motif, so it is often also referred to as Pring batik. This batik is not only beautiful in the simplicity of its motifs, but also has a simple philosophy. Where bamboo gives the meaning of peace, shade and harmony. Apart from that, bamboo/pring also has a deep philosophy for the Javanese, namely that everything in us must benefit others, from birth to death.

8. Batik Motif Parang From Java

Parang motifs are now widely found in many areas, especially in the cities of Solo and Yogyakarta because according to history, parang batik was created during the Mataram Palace era. Parang batik is one of the oldest motifs in Indonesia.

The name Parang comes from the word 'Pereng' which means slope. The pereng describes a straight line from high to rendang diagonally. The shape of the motif is shaped like the letter "S" oblique, wavy elongated. This Parang motif is spread throughout Java, starting from Central Java, East Java, Jogjakarta and West Java.

The difference between Parang Batik motifs in various regions lies only in the accent of the Parang motif batik. For example, in Jogja there are Parang Rusak and Parang Barong motifs, in Central Java there are Parang Slobog, in West Java there are Parang Klisik, and in East Java there are Parang Selo.

9. Batik Motif Geblek Renteng From Kulon Progo

The Batik Geblek Renteng Motif is famous in Kulon Progo Regency. It's just that many don't know the meaning and significance of the geblek motif. This batik motif is the typical batik of Kulon Progo Regency. The motif which has become an icon of Kulon Progo consists of a geblek image as the main motif and various symbols that show the natural wealth and condition of Kulon Progo Regency.

Geblek is used as the main motif because it is a typical Kulon Progo food. Among the geblek motifs, the Binangun symbol is inscribed which is described as a flower bud that is about to bloom, meaning that Kulon Progo is an area that will soon bloom to become a beautiful gem from the island of Java.

On the side there is a mangosteen fruit motif which is a typical flora of Kulon Progo. The three motifs are made in an up and down pattern as a symbol that the natural appearance in Kulon Progo varies greatly, from mountains, highlands, to lowlands and beaches.

10. Batik Motif Kawung from Central Java

Batik Kawung can be called with its geometric motifs that line up neatly. This batik is one of the oldest batik motifs found in Java. Kawung batik motifs can be found in the Solo and Bantul areas. An example of a very simple kawung batik motif, where this kawung batik has its own story or history and philosophy. 

Batik Kawung has been refined into various kinds of products, especially clothing products. Because the motif is so unique, this batik is often used as a combination of clothing foundations by famous designers.

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