SONGKET MOTIF TANJONG DIAMOND

The songket is broad -shouldered and its body is filled with scattered patterns. Among the tabor flower motifs that are often used are Bunga Tanjung, Melor, Baling, Bintang, Tampok Pedada, Tampok Manggis, Bunga Raya, Mawar and Orkid – with the upper or lower leg clamps and also the inner or outer clamps usually patterned leok pakuk (cloud larat), features of spears, seahorses and kiapuk.It is embroidered with gold thread and yellow thread for the base of the cloth. The motive of the pattern on the songket cloth is four petaled lotus and diamond. The four petalled lotus signifies the four elements of earth, water, fire and wind in relation to the human character. These characters must co-exist in balance and harmony in the human body. Lack of an element will result in an imbalanced body, causing sickness. 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 been a reflection of the creation of the Supreme Being. A flower connected to a stem symbolises the strength of a thread to the teaching of Islam. The songket pattern is striped from top to bottom, with the head of the cloth decorated with geometric patterns.