Natural Motifs on Jepara Batik Products: Symbols of environmental awareness

Abstract

Batik Jepara has been around for a long time. The historical evidence was traced back to Kartini's era, in the beginning of the 20th century. During that time Jepara batik was developed and promoted at national and international levels through exhibitions. In its journey, Jepara batik suffered suspended animation and just reappeared around the beginning of 21st century. During this period several batik artisans who made batik products emerged either based on culture, animals, plants, nature, or other motives. The motifs applied to the batik products that use natural motifs, both flora and fauna, indicates that the craftsmen have awareness to Jepara natural conditions. These natural motifs users symbolically showed the craftsman's concern for the environmental sustainability on land and sea found in Jepara.