Visual Elements in

Philippine
Traditional Motifs
and Crafts
Motifs and
Symbols
A motif is an image, M
spoken, or written word, O
sound, act, or another
visual or structural device T
that has symbolic I
significance. F 3
Motifs typically are used in one of three
ways:
1. A single object that appears multiple
times throughout the work with most
of the emphasis placed on the item.
2. A collection of related objects that
appear multiple times to emphasize
the theme.
3. A collection of seemingly unrelated
items that serve to draw attention to
the theme.
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Classification of Motif:
1.GEOMETRIC MOTIF
These motifs include lines in various
forms, such as vertical, horizontal, diagonal
and curved. They form fabric designs, such
as stripes, plaids, checks and circles and
their associated designs.
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2. REALISTIC OR NATURAL MOTIF
Natural motifs portray as direct replica of
things as they exist in nature, such as
flowers on trees, animals in jungle, human
figure and other natural things.
They are also called novelty patterns.

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3. Stylized Motif
These are simplified variations of natural or
man- made objects that are no longer
recognizable. Stylized motifs are obtained by
rearranging the real objects either by
simplifying or exaggerating to achieve the
purpose of the design.
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4. Abstract Motif
These are combinations of color, size, and
shape without relationship to natural or
man- made objects.

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 Symbols
‘Symbol’ comes from
the Greek word
‘symbolon’ which
means contract, token,
insignia and means
identification. (Encyclopedia
Britannica, 1197)

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 Types
of
Symbols
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1. Iconograms
-are illustrative
representations. They are
iconic signs which, as an
illustrative representation,
emphasizes the points in
common between the signifier
and the signified.
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2. Pictograms
-are pictorial
representations,
such as ISOTYPE.

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3. Cartograms
-are topographical
representations with
complex functions
(statistics,etc.) and
iconic facts.

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4. Diagrams
-are functional
representations.
These are more on
functional carriers
that usually illustrate.

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5. Ideograms
-it represent a concept.
Typically, ideograms
corresponds to the sign as
a symbol which relates to
the object or concept
referred to, independently
of any format identification
with it.
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6. Logograms
-are conceptual
representations like writing.

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7. Typograms
- are typographical
representations. A
typogram is a sign that is
also composed of a sign,
derived from a written
repertoire such as the
alphabet.
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8. Phonograms
- are phonic representations. A phonogram is
a sign that is used to signify linguistic or the
other sounds.

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✋👆👉👍👤👦👧👨👩👪💃🏃💑❤😂😉😋😒😭👶
😸💣
🐟🍒🍔💣 📌📖🔨🎃🎈🎨🏈🏰🌏🔌🔑
We do encounter many signs in life, make use of

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those to do good and end up getting what is good.

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