VISUAL ELEMENTS IN
PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL
MOTIFS AND CRAFTS
Objectives
* Analyze how the line was interpreted and
utilized in traditional crafts
*Develop students' ability to manipulate the
elements of art
* Document changes and the shifting
environment such as terrain, texture sound
through the fusion of various elements of art
* Visual elements in Philippine traditional
motifs and crafts
INTRODUCTION
The Philippine visual arts encompass a range of forms developed by
Filipinos in the Ethnic, Spanish, American, and featured thumb of
contemporary traditions. In ethnic communities, pottery, weaving,
carving, and metalcraft are made for ritual purposes or for everyday use.
Spanish colonization introduced painting and sculpture whose subject
matter was for the most part religious, although secular themes and
forms emerged in the 19th century under the patronage of the new
mestizo elite. The American period witnessed the conflict between
conservatism and modernism, with the latter gaining ground in the end
in painting and sculpture. After World War II artists explored a variety of
Western and Eastern styles, media, and philosophies-some consciously
going back to ethnic roots to express themselves as individuals and as
Filipinos.
The visual elements in Philippine
motifs and crafts are the
fundamental components that
create the designs and patterns
found in traditional art forms,
textiles, and crafts. These
elements contribute to the overall
aesthetic and cultural significance
of the artwork.
Visual elements in Philippine motifs and
crafts include:
• LINE • PATTERN
• SHAPE • TEXTURE
• TONE • FORM
• COLOR
Visual elements in Philippine motifs and
crafts include:
LINE - It serve as the foundation for creating shapes, patterns, and
movement.
SHAPE – in Philippine crafts can be both natural and symbolic.
TONE - the lightness or darkness of a color; used to create a contrast of light
and darkness or create a pattern within a composition
Visual elements in Philippine motifs and
crafts include:
COLOR – affects how the viewer connects emotionally to the craft
PATTERN - made by repeating or echoing the elements of an artwork to show
a sense ofbalance, harmony, contrast, rhythm or movement
TEXTURE – the roughness or smoothness of a material
FORM – the physical volume of a shape
• It is an image, spoken or written word, act, or another
visual or structural device that has symbolic
significance. It is used to develop and inform the
theme of the literary work.
• a recurring detail or element in a work of art that helps
develop a theme. Unlike a theme, which conveys the
central message, a motif is a repeated pattern that
supports and enhances the theme while adding other
dimensions to the narrative.
The motifs of a textile design
may be classified as:
• Geometric • Stylized
• Realistic or • Abstract
Natural
These motifs include lines in various
forms, such as vertical, horizontal,
INABEL diagonal and curved. They form fabric
designs, such as stripes, plaids, checks
and circles and their associated designs.
These are simplified variations of natural
or man-made objects that are no longer
recognizable. Stylized motifs are obtained
by rearranging the real objects either by
simplifying or exaggerating them to achieve
the purpose of the design.
IKAT
Natural motifs portray as direct replicas of
things as they exist in nature, such as flowers on
trees, animals in the jungle, human figures and
other natural things. They are also called novelty
patterns. As these motifs lack a designer's
creativity and require a three-dimensional
platform to copy reality.
Tapis
These are combinations of color, size, and
shape without relationship to natural or
man-made objects. Abstract implies an
element of impression and a greater
freedom that is found in most geometric
designs.
HABLON
PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL
MOTIFS
the country's diverse
cultural heritage and
history.
LINGLING-O
• Spiral Motifs: Lingling-o is a traditional
ornament representing fertility and
prosperity,featuring spiral and concentric
circle motifs.
SARIMANOK
• Bird Motifs:
A mythical bird often depicted
with colorful wings and a fish in
its beak. It symbolizes good
fortune and is a popular motif in
Maranao art.
OKIR
• Floral and Geometric Designs:
Okir is a design element used in
Maranao and Maguindanao art,
characterized by intricate floral
and geometric patterns it is
commonly found woodcarving
and brasswire.
T'NALAK PATTERNS
• Geometric Designs:
T'nalak is a traditional cloth of the T'boli people,
known for its intricate geometric patterns. These
patterns are created using the tie-dye method.
IKAT WEAVING
• Abstract Patterns:
Ikat is a traditional weaving
technique where the threads are
dyed before weaving, resulting in
intricate and often abstract
patterns. It is used in various
indigenous communities.
BANIG PATTERNS
•Mat Weaving Designs:
Banig is a traditional woven mat, and its patterns
often include geometric shapes and symbols
inspired by nature.
HABAL- HABAL
PATTERN
•Bamboo Strip Weaving:
Used by Bagobo people,
habal-habal features diamond-
shaped patterns created by the
interplay of bamboo strips
MANUNGGUL
JAR MOTIFS
Human Figures:
the manunggul jar an ancient
burial jar, features intricate
carvings depicting stylized
human figures. These motifs
often symbolize journey to the
afterlife.
TRIBAL TATTOOS
Linear and Curvilinear Designs:
Traditional Filipino tattoos often
feature linear and curvilinear
patterns, symbolizing cultural
identity, bravery, and tribal
affiliations.
PHILIPPINE SUN
Eight-rayed sun: Often found in
the National Flag, the eight-rayed
sun symbolizes freedom and
patriotism
BAMBOO CRAFT
MOTIFS
Woven Pattern: Commonly used in
traditional Filipino crafts. Woven
patterns in bamboo products often
feature intricate designs inspired by
nature and folklore
FILIPINIANA
EMBROIDERY
Floral and Butterfly Motifs: Traditional
Flipino dresses (Barong Tagalog and
Maria Clara) are often adorned with
intricate embroidery featuring floral
motifs and butterflies
CAPIZ SHELL DESIGN
Floral and Marine Motifs: Capiz
shells are used for decorative
purposes often featuring designs
inspired by local floral and marine
life.
Philippine
Crafts
Philippine crafts refer to the traditional and
contemporary handmade items that reflect
the rich cultural heritage and creativity of
the Filipino people.
These crafts often involve skilled craftsmanship and are
typically made using locally sourced materials. Here are some
well-known examples of Philippine crafts:
POTTERY
A model of this is the "palayok,"
which is utilized for cooking.
The "Banga" and "Tapayan" are
also used for depositing liquids.
There is also the stove or "Kalan"
which is made out of clay. The
production of "Burnay" pottery
in the Ilocos Sur is yet a spirited
tradition that remains up today.
WOODCARVING
The Philippine sculpture is the
most well known art form of
the Filipinos. The most famous
woodcarving in the Philippines
is the carvings of the "Anitos"
or the nature gods, "Santos" or
saints, and figures of Christ
and the Blessed Mother Mary.
BASKET WEAVING
A basket is a must-have for
carrying hunting animals,
grains, and fishing in the
waters. The baskets are
made of bamboo to
become their fish traps, the
size and the shape of the
baskets are based on the
variety of fish they wish to
catch.
CLOTH WEAVING
One of the most valuable living traditions
that are still preserved to this day is cloth
weaving. Beginning in the pre-colonial
era, the art of cloth weaving, particularly
of the Cordillera tribes in the North, still
lives notwithstanding the threat of the
more practical production of fabrics
today. The natives practice backstrap
loom to create blankets and pieces of
clothing.
JEWELRY MAKING
Since the 16th century, it is
presumed that jewelry making in
the country already existed. It is
known that the skills of the early
Filipinos in creating jewelry are
parented from our Asian neighbors
like the Chinese people.
There are two largest product classes of
fine jewelry production in the Philippines:
►Metal Jewelry and petals.
The visual elements in Philippine traditional motifs and
crafts offer a rich source of inspiration for students and
artists alike. By exploring the meaning and purpose behind
these elements, understanding the techniques used to
create them, and experimenting with their manipulation,
students can develop their artistic skills and create work
that is both aesthetically pleasing and culturally significant.
