Sunflower in the Malay Cosmos

Floral motifs form a central element of Malay batik, serving as visual expressions of belief, identity, and ecological awareness. This study examines how the bunga matahari (sunflower), a non-native botanical form, has been localized within Malay batik traditions on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia. While research on native floral motifs is established, the adaptation pathways of foreign species remain underexplored, creating a significant gap in understanding how global forms are culturally assimilated. The research employs a collective case study of Kelantan and Terengganu and draws on Zakaria Ali’s six Malay aesthetic principles and integrates data from interviews, visual and thematic analyses, and institutional sources. The findings reveal that both regions share a symbolic language of vitality and harmony but differ in execution---Terengganu emphasizing structure and formality, while Kelantan favors rhythm and chromatic fluidity---illustrating how artisans transform global imagery into expressions of local identity. This study contributes a comparative framework for analyzing regional esthetics and demonstrates how adaptive creativity sustains cultural heritage, offering vital insights for the preservation and practice of batik as a living tradition

Cultural background · Malay · Sunflower · Architecture and Cultural Influences · Asian Studies and History · Linguistic, Cultural, and Literary Studies

• Zakaria Ali’s Principle as a Method of Analysis in Uncovering the Elements of Malaysian Culture, Based on Chuah Thean Teng Batik Painting

  Open Access•Shazani Shamsuddeen, Wan Samiati Andriana•International Journal of Art and…•2021

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• Makna Filosofis Motif Seni Ukir Rek Palembang

  Open Access•Hudaidah Hudaidah, Lilis Trianti et al.•Panggung•2023

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