When you look at this pattern, it may look like a bunch of amoeba-shaped creatures under a microscope or tear-shaped petals. But they aren’t. It’s a paisley design.
special paisley
Paisley comes from the ancient Aryan “boteh”, a Persian word meaning bush, shrub, or herb. The import of cashmere goods from the East India Company led to pattern’s popularity in Western Europe in the 18th century. However, this boteh motif has ancient Iranian origins way before it was introduced to the west.
This motif originated in the Sassanid Dynasty of Persia and it became an important pattern in Iranian fashion during the Qajar and Pahlavi Dynasties. The boteh pattern decorated royal regalia, crowns, and court garments but also was used by the general population. Dr. Cyrus Parham researched about the boteh motif and theorized that the boteh is also connected to the Cypress, the tree of life in Zoroastrian folklore.
The term paisley is named after Paisley, Scotland, the town became known as the source for printing this pattern in Western Europe.
Fun fact:
This pattern has been widely popular in hippie, psychedelic culture. The artist Prince created a song called “Paisley Park,” describing the feeling of a Utopian-like place.
Share the love of paisley fabric prints and patch it onto your custom tees at apliiq.com:
sri dusty
soft pitch
spice trade
gulab jamon
surf for paisley
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