Home / Batik Regions – Western Indonesia – Northern Sumatra – North Sumatra / Samosir Island – Toba Lake
Cultural Destination
Embrace the spirit of the place!
Huta Siallagan – Samosir Island

The traditional dance of Samosir island (photo: netralnews)

The Batu Pasidangan and Samosir traditional house (photo: @Yusantaavi)
Toba Lake – Samosir Island
The historical Toba Lake has never deprived of cultural amusement. It has an iconic ancient village that exudes a unique culture of the Batak ethnic group. Visiting this place, you will feel the sensation of traveling back in time. Tourists can visit ancient Batak traditional settlements with their two-meter high stone walls, as well as watch the ritual ceremonies of the local people. You could also overlook the breathtaking panoramic view of Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world.
Tourist Attractions in North Sumatra
Maria Annai Velangkani Catholic Church
The unique church building was made for and by Catholics of Tamil Indian descendants in
Floating Batak House
The boat tours that adopt the concept of floating Batak house. With this boat,
Al Mashun Historical Mosque of Medan
This mosque was built during the reign of Sultan Ma’mun Alrasyid Perkasa Alam in
North Sumatra
Batik Motifs
Desa Na Tolu
The Desa Na Tolu characteristic pattern symbolizes the Batak philosophy of existence and
Gorga Simeol-Meol
The Gorga Simeol-meol is a pattern of plant tendrils. it is regarded as a symbol of longevity and
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Indonesian
Batik
Motifs
Wirasat
Wirasat or divine inspiration is a gift from God. This inspiration is symbolized by
Rangkiang
The word “Rangkiang” refers to the rice granary in the Minangkabau language. It symbolizes
Ake Patra
Ake is related to the divinity and the composition of the universe. It is a symbol of
Pala Salawaku
This motif illustrates the unique weapons of the Maluku region, namely
Gumin Tambun
Based on Hindu mythology, this motif symbolizes lucks, abundant wealth, and
Pucuk Rebung Riau
Pucuk Rebung symbolizes heart determination in achieving goals, good luck, and
Rumah Mamuju
the Batik motif illustrates the house of Mamuju King with the stairs, located on the left of the wooden stage house
Manguni Minahasa
Manguni is identified as the symbol of the Minahasa people. Manguni is known as a
Lontara
The Lontara script itself is a typical ancient script of Bugis and Makassar communities. History records that
Karawo Pinang
Pinang refers to the Palm areca tree. This motif is considered as the original
Taiganja
Taiganja is a precious gold pendant that shows the social status of the Kaili family. It is
Tabir Tanjung
Tanjung flower is a type of Cherry tree flower, which is commonly found in
Tanah Liek
The word “Tanah Liek” refers to clay in Minang language. It is also known as
Bale Lumbu
This motif signifies the welfare of the ancient Sasak society. Bale also symbolizes the
Sero Tangga
The Sero Tangga illustrates an endearing feeling and sacrifices of a person to fulfil
Sekar Jati
Sekar means flower and Jati refers to teak trees that symbolizes a strong mental character that
Tifa Totobuang
The batik motifs illustrate Maluku’s traditional music instrument called
Daun Sirih
This motif illustrates betel leaves that are used by Lombok communities as traditional
Merak Ngeram
The hatching peacock motif has a very deep meaning which refers to the sacrifice and
Dayak Taghol
Dayak Taghol has a distinctive style of four curved lines and small dots. This motif represents
Daun Simpor
This motif is inspired by the Simpor plant (Dillenia Suffruticosa) which is a typical
Besurek Rembulan
This batik illustrates praise for God who created the wonderful universe
Singayaksa
The Singayaksa motif comes from the name of a place where Sultan Hasanuddin used to
Tikar Natuna
The Tikar Natuna motif is adapted from the traditional making of pandanus mats in
Desa Na Tolu
The Desa Na Tolu characteristic pattern symbolizes the Batak philosophy of existence and
Kaganga Tanah Rejang
If Batik Besurek combines Arabic calligraphy motifs, then the Kaganga batik takes
Gedhog Kembang Waluh
a combination of Javanese cultural motif of the Majapahit kingdom (XII-XIV century) with
Jumputan Bintang
The word Jumputan means the tie-dye technique, while the word “Bintang” refers to
Gonggong Beruntun
This motif illustrates that a person should maintain a positive attitude and
Wakatobi
It symbolizes the coastal beauty of the Wakatobi island and the symbol of Patra symbolizes
Burung Bidadari
Bidadari birds are endemic birds in Halmahera. This motif represents an
Awan Berarak
Awan Berarak is a combination of Dayak motifs and Malay patterns. The word ‘Awan Berarak’ means the
Durian Pecah
Broken Durian motifs depict the foundation of faith. The second half signifies the mastery of
Kawung
The Kawung motif was created by Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo (1593 – 1645) as a symbolic gift for
Keluak Daun Pakis
The word “Keluak” is a Minang language which means twisted or tangled. The Motif of
Srimanganti
The name of the Srimanganti motif is derived from Palace’s hallway that connects to
Bomba Mawar
This motif means sacred love for family, kingdom, and God; It also illustrates
Tenun Bima
The motifs are adopted from Bima woven textile. This pattern has received a great
Cengkeh
The clove flower motif is the main commodity of the Tolitoli Regency. This motif represents
Angsa Duo
According to legend, the Angso duo batik motif is a pair of swans that are believed to have led Princess
Pohon Hayat (Tree of Life)
The Batik motifs in Lampung are dominated by the acculturation of Buddhist and
Gorga Simeol-Meol
The Gorga Simeol-meol is a pattern of plant tendrils. it is regarded as a symbol of longevity and
Gigi Haruan Lidi
The Gigi Haruan Lidi motif is taken from the name of the cork fish and is a symbol of
Parang Rusak
Another meaning behind this motif is an unconquerable spirit, symbolized by
Bultiya
The word ‘Bultiya’ is an acronym of the three major tribes in North Kalimantan, namely
Bekantan Pakis
This motif represents Pakis Haji (Polystichum setiferum), an endemic plant in
Ukir Sentani
The Ukir motif is a batik motif that is inspired by various traditional Sentani wood carvings
Enggang Dayak
Local people beliefs that hornbills are an incarnation of the Commander of the Birds. It has supernatural
Parang Seling
Parang Seling or “alternating daggers” is a royal batik motif. It is a feminine variant of
Dayak Kamang
Kamang motif is generally found in the Dayak tribe shield because it is believed to
Tengkawang Ampiek
With its many advantages, the Dayaks use this leaf in ritual ceremonies. This plant is a symbol of
Gajah Way Kambas
The motif illustrates the Lampung’s natural reserve, the Way Kambas. it also symbolizes
Kasih Tak Sampai
‘Kasih Tak Sampai’ is an idiom in the Indonesian language which refers to
Tubo Kelapa
Coconut tree is a symbol of a good character and strong mentality. It illustrates the more success a person, the more
Gentala Arasy
Built as high as 80 meters, the tower also highlights the historical side of
Gamolan
This motif illustrates Gamolan, a bamboo musical instrument of Lampung that is
Jupri Kembang Teh
Kembang Teh illustrates the tendrils of tea plants that grow in the highlands of
Sandeq
Sandeq Boat is a symbol of the maritime importance of the West Sulawesi region. The greatness of
Lok Baintan Floating Market
As you can imagine, the most authentic thing is that you can buy things and even
Kaharingan
The Kaharingan or ‘tree of life’ based on the Dayak tribes’ belief system. This tree symbolizes
Kuda Kupang
Horses symbolize wealth. It contains noble values of virtuous characters that bring
Biji Kopi
The coffee seeds motif illustrates the pride of local coffee specialities in
Paqbarre Allo
The word “Barre” means round and “Allo” means the sunlight. This motif is interpreted as
Pattimura
Pattimura is the name of an Indonesian hero who fought against colonialism in
Teguh Bersatu
This batik motif shows the strength of the people of Kupang. It also represents a sense of
Ikan tambal
The word “Ikan” refers to fish. The philosophical meaning of Ikan Tambal means is
Hiu Taliyasan
Indonesia is also home to the world’s largest fish, the whale shark (Rhincodon typus). Hiu Taliyasan refers to
Gonggong Siput
Gonggong (Strombus Turturella) is one type of sea snail found around
Sekomandi
Its philosophical meaning is the eternal union which refers to a saying “until death do us part”
Tampuk Manggis Sasirangan
The motif illustrates the philosophy of the mangosteen fruit, which is
Kerawang Tegak Aceh
The Vertical Upright (Kerawang Tegak) Motif symbolizes a person who has a strong