Symbolic motifs in Traditional Indian Textiles and Embroideries

Indian textiles whether woven or embroidered, are always known for their textures and motifs. use of vibrant colours, excellent execution and hidden interpretations of the motifs used in creation of these textiles have always lured people worldwide. Establishment of trade routes with foreign lands and influence of different emperors who ruled India resulted in import of many indigenous motifs to be integrated with Indian ones rendering them stylized form. The interpretation of these motifs may be discovered from sources that have nothing to do directly with textiles but the development of a particular motif is undoubtedly is the result of religion, customs, natural surroundings and social beliefs of that particular area to which its creator belongs. Though always speculative, the meaning of the motifs used in decoration of textiles may change with cultural context but the symbolic meaning of various motifs remains same wherever they are applied.