I have selected four Lao Neua textiles to illustrate a range of these designs while other motifs found are floral, geometric and diamond patterns. Often the forms have become so obscured that it is difficult to perceive whether they are representative of actual objects. For instance the diamond pattern is not only ornamental but has the original meaning of the duang tda, or third eye, which is an important symbol in Buddhist mysticism.

Lion
In the center of the weaving there is a raja singh, or mythical lion, whose elongated mouth resembles the trunk of an elephant. A double-headed snake motif in near S-form, is integrated into the body of the lion design. Other snakes or dragons appear in the X-shaped configuration above. The intermediate band at the bottom of the weaving is also filled with such figures, while the lowest band has a procession of birds.

River Dragon
Detail of a traditional sind mee, or skirt, decorated with nak, or mythical river dragons, supposedly of Chinese origin. Execution in a weft ikat technique on a silk ground is alternately in red and dark blue. The numerous narrower bands are filled with vegetal and abstract forms.

Peacocks
Detail of a Lao Neua pair beang shawl showing the end panel which contains in the main border pairs of black peacocks connected by their high tails. In the lower narrow band below is a procession of small red birds. Little birds are scattered all over the main field at the top.

Within a great variety of patterns employed, the preponderance of birds is very evident. These winged beings may represent bringers of good omens to ensure success in various ventures. In Southeast Asian textiles bird designs are used mainly in parallel narrow borders, the birds either following each other in processions or shown in opposed pairs.

Words and pictures by Heinz Baranski