Sacred Batik Motifs and Their Philosophies in Giriloyo Village Amid Modernization

Abstract

Giriloyo Batik Village is one of the centers of written batik in Yogyakarta that maintains traditional values through batik techniques and symbolic meanings of each motif. Some motifs, such as Parang Barong, Parang Rusak, and Semen Ageng Sawat Gurdha, are considered sacred and cannot be used carelessly. This community service activity aims to explore the symbolic meaning and social function of these motifs and increase cultural awareness in the midst of modernization. The program is carried out through direct observation, semi-structured interviews, and active participation with local artisans in Giriloyo Batik Village, Bantul. The participants were invited to dialogue and follow the practice of batik making to understand the cultural and ethical context in the use of classical motifs. The results of the activity show that despite the commercialization and visual trends in the batik industry, the Giriloyo people still maintain traditional values through collective awareness and local rules, including the prohibition on the use of stamping or printing techniques. These findings suggest that the sustainability of batik as a cultural heritage depends not only on technique, but also on cross-generational collaboration and mutual understanding. This activity provides a participatory model in the preservation of local wisdom and can be further developed as a framework for cultural education and the involvement of the younger generation.