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Chinese-Influenced Motifs
Because the batik business in Lasem was started by the Chinese, for centuries the motifs have taken a lot of of Chinese mythical creatures, such as the dragons and the phoenix or the fenghuang. Butterfiles, chickens, goldfish, and deer are also widely featured.
The fenghuang bird is usually combined with a dragon to symbolize beauty and eternity. Therefore, it is widely worn in Chinese weddings.
Dragon traditionally symbolizes power (over water and weather) and good luck. For many Chinese, the mythical creature symbolizes spiritual journey.
A phoenix gets new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor and it could symbolize something that always renews itself: the sun, the time, and the (Chinese) empire.
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