Banji Pattern
Banji is probably the oldest type of ornamental motif used for batik. Its basis is the swastika, a simple cross with arms of equal length, each arm bent at right angles pointing in the same direction. In amore complex form Banji designs are built up from geometrical patterns consisting of simple ornamental elements of a series of lines interconnected at angles of ninety degrees, always bearing a resemblance to the original swastika.
The use of the Banji in the ornamemal art of Southeast Asia certainly dates back to the Hindu – Buddhist period, evidence suggests it may have appeard even earlier. It is interesting to note that Swastika is a wordcoming from Sanskrit, meaning well being, but that the word banji is of Chinese origin. The Chinese symbolic meaning of the ornament is similar to the Sanskrit version: happiness, longevity and wealth.
Banji often appear as a less prominent decoration in batiks of the Pasisir.
sample banji pattern, source teks from BATIK DESIGN, Pepin van Roojen, picture from Batik Semar
