CONVERGENCES BETWEEN THE TRADITIONAL MOTIFS OF THE ROMANIAN AND MEXICAN TEXTILE HERITAGE
CONVERGENCES BETWEEN THE TRADITIONAL MOTIFS OF THE ROMANIAN AND MEXICAN TEXTILE HERITAGE

Summary/Abstract: Under its various forms, tradition is an integral component of every nation’s culture, it is that which every generation inherits and subsequently passes onwards. An important role in its perpetuation can be attributed to the textile heritage and, by extension, to the women who weaved and stitched traditional motifs across the ages. The symbols found on traditional clothing used to have a double purpose: they were both apotropaic, meant to protect the wearer, as well as ornamental, meant to be decorative and aesthetically appealing. This has been true around the world, as people everywhere gazed at the sky, observed the nature that surrounded them and then chose signs and symbols with which to represent what they were seeing. In the present day there exists a worldwide trend of returning to traditional values in a form adapted to modern tendencies. Ethnologist Nicolae Dunăre has undertaken ample research of traditional Romanian and European popular ornaments, in a continuous global comparison. The painter Frida Kahlo reclaimed Mexico’s great variety of indigenous motifs when she wore the costumes. Bearing this in mind, we shall analyse some motifs found on textiles from Romania and Mexico, both countries with a vibrant popular culture, in parallel, observing whether or not commonalities exist. We shall also transpose said motifs in a digital format by way of vector drawing.

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