Megamendung batik motif is identical batik artwork and even the iconic batik Cirebon regions and other Indonesian regions. This batik motif has a peculiarity that is not found in other batik producing areas. In fact, because only in Cirebon and is a masterpiece, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of RI will register megamendung pattern to UNESCO for recognition as one of the world heritage. '
Megamendung pattern as the basic motif of batik is well known to foreign countries. As proof of his fame, never made megamendung pattern batik cover of a book published abroad are entitled Batik Design, the work of a Dutch named Pepin van Roojen. Distinctiveness megamendung pattern not only on the motive which is an image resembling a cloud with assertive colors, but also the values contained in the philosophy of his motives. This relates closely to the history of the birth of batik as a whole in Cirebon. H. Komarudin Kudiya IP S., M. Ds, Chief Executive of the West Java Batik Foundation (YBJB) states that:
"The motive Megamendung is a form of work that is very noble and full of meaning, so the use megamendung pattern should be maintained properly and placed properly. This statement is not intended to limit how megamendung pattern is produced, but more to the disapproval of use megamendung pattern for the actual goods are not appropriate, such as coatings slippers in hotels. "
History motif
The history of the emergence of megamendung pattern based on the book and the existing literature always lead to the history of the arrival of the Chinese into the region Cirebon. This is not surprising because the harbor estuary in Cirebon Teak is a haven of migrants from within and abroad. Clearly recorded in history, that Sunan Gunung Jati who spread Islam in the region Cirebon in the 16th century, married the Queen of the Chinese Tien Ong. Some objects of art brought from China such as ceramics, plates and cloth decorated with cloud shapes.
In the schools of Taoism, symbolizing the world of cloud forms. Clouds form a broad picture of the world, free and meaningful transidental (Godhead). The concept of the cloud are also influential in the artistic world of Islam in the 16th century, who used the Sufis for the expression of major world or outdoors.
Sunan Gunung Jati marriage with Queen Ong Tien became the gateway entrance into the Chinese culture and traditions of palace Cirebon. The batik palace of culture and tradition of Chinese poured into batik patterns they make, but with a distinctive touch Cirebon, so there is a difference between megamendung pattern of China and that of Cirebon. For example, in China megamendung pattern, a line of dots or circles clouds, while that of Cirebon, lines clouds tend oval, pointed and triangular.
The history of batik in Cirebon also associated with the development of the movement that supposedly centered congregation in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. Batik was originally done by members of the congregation who served in the palace as an economic resource for the order's finance group. The adherents of the congregation lived in the village and surrounding Trusmi. The village is located approximately 4 miles from Cirebon headed west or towards the direction of Bandung. Therefore, until sekarng synonymous with batik batik Cirebon Trusmi.
Motif elements
Megamendung pattern that was originally always berunsurkan blue red interspersed describe masculinity and dynamic atmosphere, because in the process of making the intervention of man. The men tarekatlah members who initially pioneered the tradition of batik. Blue and deep red color also describes the psychology of coastal communities are straightforward, open and egalitarian.
In addition, the color blue is also touted a broad color symbolizes the sky, friendly and quiet as well as carriers of rain symbolizes the awaited as the bearer of fertility and the giver of life. The blue color is used ranging from light blue to dark blue. Describe the more bright light blue and dark blue depict the life of the dark clouds that contain rain water and give life.
During its development, megamendung pattern undergone many developments and modified according to market demand. Megamendung pattern combined with motifs of animals, flowers or other motifs. Indeed the incorporation of this motif as has been done by the traditional batik since the first, but becomes very rapid progress with the intervention of the fashion designer. In addition to motifs, colors megamendung pattern that was originally blue and red, now evolved into a variety of colors. There megamendung pattern of yellow, green, brown and others.
The production process
Production processes formerly done in batik and printed batik, with economic considerations are produced on a large scale by means printed (printing) in the factories. Although the patterned fabric megamendung generated by such processes are actually not be called with batik.
Being megamendungpun motifs that were once only known in the form of batik cloth, can now be found in various forms of goods. There is a wall hanging glass painting, interior products such as wood carving products and household appliances such as pillowcases, sheets, tablecloths and others.