The Parang Kusumo Batik – Motif, Origin, and Philosophy

Solo is known as a batik-producing city.

These batiks have unique patterns and colors from the area.

One of the famous batik is batik Parang Kusumo.

Parang batik is divided into many variations, such as Parang Rusak batik, Parang Barong, Parang Klitik , Parang Slobog and Parang Kusumo batik motif.

To maintain its tradition, the manufacture of Parang Kusumo batik still uses the manual method by the craftsmen.

A tool for making manual Parang Kusuma batik such as the use of Canting together with hot wax which is known as the written batik technique.

Parang Kusumo Batik Motifs

Parang batik has characteristics that are easy to distinguish. Namely a line of patterns that form the letter S where the laying is diagonal without breaking.

However, there are differences in the form of its derivatives, such as this batik Parang Kusumo.

To know more about the uniqueness of the Parang Kusumo batik motif, let’s look at the discussion below

The origin of Parang batik

Parang batik is a type of batik originating from the city of Surakarta or Solo.

However, some sources say that Parang Batik also comes from the Yogyakarta area.

This Parang batik has a unique pattern image.

The pattern is painted like the letter S which is arranged diagonally without breaking or is often referred to as Pereng.

This Parang batik appeared around 1600 AD, precisely during the reign of the Kartasura Mataram Kingdom in the city of Surakarta.

So it is often mentioned that Parang batik is one of the oldest motifs in the archipelago.

This Parang batik also has derivative motifs, one of which is the Parang Kusumo batik motif.

Parang Kusumo batik derivative motifs

Parang Kusumo batik is one of the derivative motifs of Parang batik.

This batik has the same shape as the original, namely with an arrangement of diagonal lines filled with curved motifs without breaking.

If you look closely, this batik looks like the curve of ocean waves.

Parang Kusumo Batik has 2-word phrases from the words Parang and Kusumo.

Kusumo itself comes from the Javanese language which means flower or can also be interpreted as royalty.

This shows that the Parang Kusumo batik was formerly used as a special dress that shows a person’s level of nobility in the kingdom.

Parang Kusumo batik philosophy

Parang Kusumo batik is one of the traditional batiks that has meaning and philosophy in its motifs.

Its shape is like the waves of the sea, and the spirit is burning without end.

In addition, Parang Kusumo batik also depicts the letter S, which is endless, where it is close to continuity.

The Pereng line in Parang Kusumo batik is often referred to from the word sloping slope.

This is a characteristic of Parang Kusumo batik whose motifs form a diagonal slant.

This slash means that as humans we need ideals that will be on campus, we need to have principles in life, and always prioritize what is right.

Products from Parang Kusumo batik

Among the aristocrats such as kings or queens in the palace in the past wearing Parang Kusumo batik

So that is produced from this batik is in the form of Jarik cloth, clothes, or subordinates.

Designers of batik clothes can also create this batik for women and men.

However, you need to know that Parang Kusumo Batik has a patent.

So that it is not arbitrary for reference as the main ingredient for making new products.

Before developing it to be embedded in products such as the manufacture of batik shirts and uniforms

there must be permission from the owner of the patent.

Tools and materials for making Parang Kusumo batik

This time, the tools and materials used in making Parang Kusumo batik use the written batik technique.

Which equipment and materials are as follows:

tools:

1. Frying pan, to melt the candle
2. Stove, for heating a frying pan
3. Canting, for drawing batik filled with hot wax
4. Gawangan, a tool for selecting batik cloth
5. Container, for dissolving the dye
6. A pot, to boil the water

Material:

1. the wax candle is the main ingredient for drawing batik motifs
2. Textile dyes, for dyeing batik fabrics
3. White cloth made of cotton, silk, or Mori ( white color fabric )

How to make Parang Kusumo batik

Because Parang Kusumo batik is a traditional batik,

we will explain how to make batik using the written batik technique.

The steps are as follows:

First, prepare all the tools and materials used to make batik.

Then you can start to make Parang Kusumo batik patterns on paper.

Use tools such as rulers to make it easier to draw neat diagonal lines.

Trace the paper pattern onto the white cloth for immediate follow-up.

After the pattern is done,

You can then start decorating it using a canting filled with hot and liquid wax.

After the Canting process is complete, you can start coloring it by dipping the fabric in the dye.

Drain the batik cloth and then soak it in hot water which is useful for removing the candle wax.

After that, you can start mopping or covering up the uncolored pattern with wax.

Do the coloring process and soak in hot water about two to three times as needed.

If you have, you can pay for batik cloth to test the color fastness.

Dry the washed cloth to dry.

Smooth the batik cloth using an iron.

That’s the discussion about the Parang Kusumo batik motif.

Parang Kusumo batik, in the past, was only for royal officials,

But now,  ordinary people also wear Parang Kusumo Batik

The motif is unique so it is easy to recognize that Parang Kusumo batik is typical of Solo or Yogyakarta.