Gringsing

East Java, from the Majapahit era

Overlapping fish scales, each with a dot at its heart. One of the oldest Javanese motifs; “gring” is sickness and “sing” means not, so it is read as a wish for health and balance.

Worn as a cloth to keep illness away, and often used as the isen, the ground filling, behind larger motifs.

Sisik ikan yang bertumpuk, masing-masing dengan titik di tengahnya. Salah satu motif Jawa tertua; “gring” berarti sakit dan “sing” berarti tidak, sehingga dimaknai sebagai harapan akan kesehatan dan keseimbangan.

Design with Gringsing in Nusapola