Bird and Fish Hmong Motifs Batik Table Runner

The Fish and Bird Motif: A Symbol of Enduring Love

In the Miao language, the word for fish is “Na.” A powerful and heartfelt symbol in their culture, the fish is revered for its many offspring and thus represents the flourishing of a family. In traditional batik art, the fish is considered a female symbol, while the bird represents the male.

When depicted together, the fish and bird form a beautiful and loving tribute to a husband and wife’s harmonious relationship. This motif is not merely a design; it is a visual language that embodies the deep affection and enduring bond between partners.

The artistry of this motif is truly unique. To complete this elegant symbol, the fish is given wings, and the bird is often depicted as a “water bird” that can swim freely, creating a beautiful and harmonious union of two worlds.

Batik is a traditional “wax-resist” dyeing technique, which uses melted beeswax and special wax knives to draw intricate patterns on cotton or silk. These batik pieces are made by a family of artisans from the Hmong ethnic group in Guizhou, where the craft has been a cherished heritage for over two thousand years.

The process of making batik is a long one, involving a dozen or more distinct steps. The many processes of drawing with wax, dyeing from the lightest to the darkest color, and finally melting the wax can take up to several weeks or even months to complete.