Batik Solo – History and the Wise Values Behind Its Magnificent Patterns

Batik is one of the beautiful facts of Java island, Indonesia. Batik Solo is one of the most famous batiks in Central Java besides batiks from Pekalongan. Batik Solo has many rich designs and unique patterns from the Solo heritage.

The magnificent designs make people fall in love with batik Solo. As we know, batik Solo has wise values behind its patterns.

Before discussing deeper about batik Solo, let us start with the history of batik Solo. Like history of batik Yogyakarta, batik Solo also has a unique history.

History of Batik Solo

Batik Solo was found at Solo along time ago in the era of Pajang Kingdom for more than four centuries. Batik Solo was made for the first time in Laweyan, Surakarta and was invented by Ki Ageng Laweyan in 1546. From that time many people started to love the art.

The process of making batik solo was done in a royal palace called keraton, a place that has unique traditions like any royal palace in Indonesia.

That is why making a batik Solo is a pride for every batik-makers, especially for women. They will give their best ideas and effort to produce a beautiful batik Solo.

Batik Solo can be made by two processes, by fabrication and by manual.

By fabrication means that the batik is made with a copper block stamp, so it is called as a batik cap. By manual means that the batik is handmade, and it is called as a batik tulis. Both of the designs make the same natural color.

Patterns and Designs of Batik Solo

Batik clothes are favorite clothes to wear by Indonesians when attending either ordinary or most popular traditional wedding ceremonies in Indonesia.

Not only for weddings, but batiks also become outfits for traditional dances in West Java and in most provinces in Java island.

Batik Solo has unique designs and patterns as its own characteristics and every pattern has its own meaning.

1. Batik Slobog

This batik solo with slobog pattern is made for a funeral occasion. That is why the batik slobog is always wore at a funeral in Solo.

You will find the people there only wear this kind of batik pattern in so many funerals. Not only in Solo, though, but also in all around Java island.

2. Batik Sidomukti

Batik Solo with a pattern of sidomukti is usually wore in a wedding ceremony. The meaning of sidomukti is continuously and enough.

That makes people assume if they wear a batik with sidomukti pattern, they will live long and get much prosperity. The meaning becomes a philosophy for a new married couple.

3. Batik Truntum

Batik Solo with truntum pattern is usually wore at a wedding, but for parents only. The meaning of truntum is to give a guide.

So, the philosophy is about the parents who will help their daughter-in-law and son-in-law to have a better life in their life after the wedding.

4. Batik Satrio Manah

Batik Solo with satrio manah pattern is usually wore by the parents of the groom when they propose the bride. They do the proposal with a whole family who come to the bride’s house.

Then the family of the bride will decide to accept or reject it. The message of the batik satrio manah is to expect the approval from the proposal.

5. Batik Semen Rante

Batik Solo with semen rante pattern means a bonding to something. The opposite of the satrio manah, the semen rante is wore by the parents of the bride when approving the proposal from the groom.

The philosophy of this batik is to expect the bonding of two different families to become one whole family.

6. Batik Parang Kusumo

Batik Solo with parang kusumo pattern means a flower which is ready to pick.

The parang kusumo is usually wore by the bride when she accepts the proposal and wears the ring. The deep meaning over it is about the bride who is ready to marry the groom.

7. Batik Pamiluto

Batik Solo with pamiluto pattern means a glutinous to something. The pamiluto is wore by the mother of the bride as she accepts her son-in-law to put a ring on her daughter’s finger.

The deep meaning of the pamiluto is the people believe in the everlasting of the wedding, that the bride and the groom will always stick together.

Well, now you know about the wise and deep meanings of batik Solo.

Behind the magnificent values which come from the patterns, the philosophy is so great to implement in our everyday life.