SONGKET BUNGA PENUH MOTIF MELUR DIGUBAH

The gold thread -filled songket makes it look luxurious. This songket is woven to be used during weddings or to individuals who have a high socio-economic status in society-it does not have many motifs but only gold thread is visible. It is embroidered with gold thread and light pink thread for the base of the cloth. The motive of the pattern on the songket cloth is bamboo shoot, melor and clove flower. Most of the flowers that are portrayed in the songket motifs have sweet fragrance, are small to medium in size, white and cream in colour and possess some medicinal properties.Traditionally, the flowers were believed to have special effect in revitalising and rejuvenating the bather when used in scented bath. Nature in the Malay society has always reflected the creation of the Supreme Being. A flower connected to a stem symbolises the strength of a thread to the teaching of Islam. The bamboo shoot motif was located within folklore long before the coming of Islam. When the Malays converted to Islam, the symbolic meaning of the bamboo shoot was changed to be incorporated with Islamic teachings leading away from the superstitious and supernatural beliefs. However, the folkloristic beliefs regarding bamboo shoot motifs remain deeply embedded in the Malay culture.