Image: Original
About This Quiz
Make a good impression! Put your knowledge of patterns and their origins to the test with this quiz designed to suit the fashion maven in you.Â
Many of the patterns we come across everyday have a rich and storied history rooted in the cultures that created them. In many cases, the patterns are more than just artistic expressions, as they are intricately linked to the customs, religions and identity of their respective regions.Â
Take the designs of the clans of Scotland or the Indonesian provinces like Bali, for example - each one is seamlessly woven into each society's traditions. In many instances, they have remained unchanged for centuries, making it an easy task to pinpoint their origins - so, it should be a breeze for you!
There are patterns which feature prominently on the architecture in different countries, particularly those in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Some of these motifs have made their way from buildings, pottery and sculptures, and now adorn the fabrics of our lives. How many of those can you spot?
Then, there is that pattern which gets scanned each time you make a purchase and which has found its way into the interior design and fashion world. We're sure you can recall where that one was invented!
Only persons with a trained eye can easily spot which of these designs comes from where. Check out this quiz and prove you've got what it takes!
Wikimedia Commons By Enyama
From where does the Palmette (or Anthemion) pattern originate?
Egypt
Palmette or anthemion is a classical motif often found in ancient art from regions such as Egypt, Assyria and Greece. It is a palm leaf done in a stylized, radiating pattern.
Germany
Britain
India
Wikimedia Commons By Jan Smith from Brisbane, Australia
From where does the Arabesque pattern originate?
Scotland
Ireland
France
Arabia
This elaborate ornamental design is inspired by both the art and architecture of Islamic culture and the Arabian region. Its most prominent motifs are curved lines in floral and geometric patterns.
Wikimedia Commons By Stannered
From where does the Argyle pattern originate?
Greece
India
Scotland
The argyle pattern is a type of tartan (or plaid) which has its origins with the Clan Campbell of Scotland in a region known as Argyll. The argyle pattern usually has just two or three colors and is commonly used on knitted fabrics.
Italy
Advertisement
Wikimedia Commons By Wmpearl
From where does the Art Deco pattern originate?
Egypt
France
The term “art deco†refers more to a style of patterns than to a single pattern. It is generally associated with the style of the 1920s and 1930s, having originated at a 1925 international art exhibition in Paris, France.
Greece
Mesopotamia
Wikimedia Commons By Walshga
From where does the Tattersall pattern originate?
Persia
China
Italy
England
The tattersall pattern is very similar to, but smaller than, the windowpane check pattern. It too typically features just two or three colors on a solid (usually light) background. It is named after an 18th-century horse market in London which sold horse blankets with this pattern woven into them.
Wikimedia Commons By Bloger at English Wikipedia
From where does the Guilloche pattern originate?
Syria
Germany
When looked at over a large surface, the guilloche pattern appears to be made up of interlocking circles. A closer look at smaller areas may reveal that the lines are, in fact, interlocking, curves or arches.
France
India
Advertisement
Wikimedia Commons By Wdcf
From where does the Herringbone pattern originate?
Greece
Scotland
This twill weave creates a pattern resembling a fish’s backbone – hence its name. The zigzag stripes of a herringbone pattern may be in one or two colors.
Persia
Bali
Wikimedia Commons Tropenmuseum, part of the National Museum of World Cultures
From where does the Batik pattern originate?
France
Greece
Britain
Indonesia
The patterns that are generated from the batik method of dyeing fabric are often compared to tie-dye. Within Indonesian culture, the various patterns of batik carry particular and often historical meaning. Some batik patterns may only be worn by members of noble families.
Wikimedia Commons By Chris Hazzard
From where does the Perada pattern originate?
China
Bali
The patterns generated by the perada technique are traditionally achieved by gluing gold dust or gold leaf to the fabric. Since the fabric then becomes stiff and the gold falls off easily, genuine perada cloth is restricted to the wealthy or for special occasions in Balinese culture.
Switzerland
England
Advertisement
Wikimedia Commons By AnonMoos
From where does the Celtic Knot pattern originate?
Ireland
The Celtic knot has the appearance of interlocking ribbons weaved continuously and seamlessly into each other. It is sometimes called the endless or everlasting knot.
Persia
Greece
Italy
Wikimedia Commons Peggy Reeves Sanday
From where does the Songket pattern originate?
Britain
Bali
In Balinese tradition, songket patterns are produced by weaving gold and silver threads in silk fabric. Songket is typically reserved for special occasions and is often worn by brides and grooms.
India
USA
Wikimedia Commons By Celtus
From where does the Tartan pattern originate?
Egypt
Persia
Scotland
Tartan is a traditional Scottish weave in a crisscross pattern. Each particular tartan pattern is related to a specific clan, regiment or district in Scotland. Although tartan is generally called plaid, not all plaids are tartan.
Greece
Advertisement
Wikimedia Commons By World Imaging
From where does the Bead and Reel pattern originate?
Scotland
Arabia
France
Greece
The bead and reel pattern of alternating ovals and rods is very popular in architecture, sculpture and engraving. After originating in Greece in the 6th century BCE, the bead and reel motif spread to other regions, reaching as far as India.
Wikimedia Commons By Chris Hazzard
From where does the Geringsing pattern originate?
Germany
France
Bali
Geringsing is related to another Indonesian pattern known as ikat. It is exclusively produced in the village of Tenganan where it is thought to have magical properties. Genuine geringsing fabric is quite time-consuming to make and thus easier methods are sometimes used to produce the patterns.
USA
Wikimedia Commons By Garik 11
From where does the Glen Plaid pattern originate?
Scotland
This pattern is made up of both small and large checks (or crisscrossed stripes). It is typically made in a mix of black, grey and white or with dull colors.
Syria
Greece
France
Advertisement
Wikimedia Commons By Toxophilus
From where does the Chevron pattern originate?
Greece
Each inverted “V†in the pattern is known as a chevron. When the chevrons are joined, they create a zigzag striped pattern. Quite often, chevron patterns are done in just two contrasting colors.
India
Indonesia
Britain
Wikimedia Commons By Dave Gates from Portland, Oregon
From where does the Houndstooth pattern originate?
Greece
France
India
Scotland
The origins of the houndstooth check can be traced to the shepherds of the Scottish Lowlands. It is distinguished by its irregular points which give it an abstract appearance. Houndstooth is typically done in two-tone using black and white or two neutral colors.
Wikimedia Commons By Chris Hazzard
From where does the Endek pattern originate?
England
Bali
Endek is also the most popular textile on the island of Bali. Its patterns are achieved by repeated tying and dyeing of the yarns of the woven fabric.
USA
Mesopotamia
Advertisement
Wikimedia Commons William Morris
From where does the Woodblock Printing pattern originate?
Indonesia
India
USA
China
As its name suggests, woodblock printing involves transferring a pattern from a carved woodblock to fabric. This traditionally is a time-consuming process but the final effect is of a very superior and artistic quality.
Wikimedia Commons By V&A museum photo of PD Coromandel chintz
From where does the Chintz pattern originate?
Ireland
India
Although chintz is a type of fabric, it is often characterized by a large floral pattern with a glazed, glossy, very shiny appearance. It is traditionally used for drapery and upholstery but nowadays, chintz patterns can be found in fabric meant for clothing.
Scotland
Switzerland
Wikimedia Commons By Real politik
From where does the Egg-and-Dart pattern originate?
Greece
Also called egg-and-tongue, this pattern is quite popular in some types of architectural design. Both the egg-and-dart and the bead and reel patterns originate in Greece and are somewhat similar.
Bali
Syria
Mesopotamia
Advertisement
Wikimedia Commons By PKM
From where does the Prince of Wales pattern originate?
France
India
Scotland
The Prince of Wales check and the Glen plaid (or Glen check) look quite similar and it is not uncommon for people to mistake one for the other. They are, however, two different patterns.
Bali
Wikimedia Commons By Chris Hazzard
From where does the Poleng pattern originate?
Arabia
Bali
Just like many of the other fabrics and patterns found in Indonesian culture, the Poleng of Bali carries religious significance. The poleng pattern can be woven into the material or printed on white fabric.
Britain
Persia
Wikimedia Commons By Sialkgraph
From where does the Boteh (or Paisley) pattern originate?
Persia
While boteh is historically a Persian design, it became very popular in Europe around the 17th century. This accounts for the pattern’s other name, Paisley, which is the name of a town in Scotland.
USA
Germany
England
Advertisement
Wikimedia Commons By Hannes Grobe
From where does the Greek Key pattern originate?
Mesopotamia
Indonesia
Greece
This ancient pattern is sometimes referred to as “Greek fret.†Its pattern of interlocking squares or rectangles is often drawn with one continuous line.
China
Wikimedia Commons By Norbert Kaiser
From where does the Ogee pattern originate?
Italy
Persia
The ogee pattern is often described as onion-shaped or as a diamond with rounded sides. The term “ogee†is actually the name of an S-shaped curve which is often used in architectural designs. The ogee pattern is also frequently used on fabrics.
Bali
Switzerland
Wikimedia Commons By Chris Hazzard
From where does the Ikat pattern originate?
Indonesia
Ikat is actually a method of dyeing which is prevalent in the Indonesian provinces. The woven dyed yarn produces intricate patterns in the completed fabric with the main ikat characteristic being a blurred appearance to the completed design.
Germany
Italy
USA
Advertisement
[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
From where does the Harlequin Print pattern originate?
Bali
Egypt
Italy
The harlequin print uses diamonds, whereas most of the other check patterns use either squares or rectangles. The harlequin print originated in 16th century Italian theatre and is named after the popular character whose clothes featured the pattern.
India
Wikimedia Commons By Sodacan
From where does the Fleur-de-lis pattern originate?
Scotland
Persia
Arabia
France
The fleur-de-lis is generally associated with European royalty but most particularly with the royal families of France. The design is a highly stylized lily with either three or four petals and it is typically done in neutral colors.
Wikimedia Commons By Kaushik Gopal
From where does the Pinstripe pattern originate?
India
England
The individual stripes in the pinstripe pattern are normally just one or two yarns thick. The design may be woven into the fabric or printed onto it. Pinstripes are thinner than pencil stripes.
Greece
China
Advertisement
Wikimedia Commons By Anjouli at English Wikipedia
From where does the Border Tartan pattern originate?
Syria
France
India
Scotland
Border tartan also goes by the names “shepherd’s plaid†and “border check.†It is regarded as a plain check pattern, particularly when compared to the other tartan designs of Scotland.
Wikimedia Commons By Kent Wang
From where does the Gingham Check pattern originate?
France
The gingham check pattern usually consists of all-white squares alternated with squares in a solid color and then squares which are a mix of white and the solid color. The gingham check is often used to make summery-looking clothing items.
Germany
Greece
Persia
Wikimedia Commons By Mike Toews
From where does the Polka Dot pattern originate?
Syria
Arabia
England
Although they had been around for some time, Polka dots got their name during the late 19th century. It was during the time of a rise in popularity for both polka music and polka dancing.
India
Advertisement
Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
From where does the Mosaic pattern originate?
Mesopotamia
Mosaic patterns consist of images created from small colored portions. The origin of mosaic art lies in Mesopotamia – a historic region in West Asia. The use of mosaics for decorative means is quite popular in Christian churches and cathedrals.
USA
Britain
Switzerland
Wikimedia Commons By The original uploader was Brian0918 at English Wikipedia
From where does the Damask pattern originate?
Indonesia
England
Syria
Damask patterns are typically floral and done on luxurious material, such as silk. The method of weaving causes the pattern to be raised from the surrounding material.
China
Youtube
From where does the Liberty pattern originate?
Greece
Arabia
Egypt
England
The Liberty style came about in the 1920s and is named after a London department store. It usually features very small floral, paisley or abstract motif printed all over the fabric.
Advertisement
Wikimedia Commons By Velvetbrighton
From where does the Toile pattern originate?
India
Greece
France
Also called “toile de Jouy,†this pattern first rose to prominence in 18th century France. The design is typically of a floral or pastoral scene which is done in one color on a white or off-white background.
Syria
Wikimedia Commons By Jfg284
From where does the Regimental Stripes pattern originate?
Greece
China
Arabia
Britain
The regimental stripe pattern has its origins in the colors of the British regiments. Nowadays, it is most often used on men’s ties.
Wikimedia Commons By Hawley, W. A.
From where does the Herati pattern originate?
Indonesia
Ireland
England
Persia
The herati pattern is an intricate one which typically features a stylized rosette inside of a diamond with a serrated-edge leaf on each of the diamond’s four sides. The pattern is frequently used on rugs.
Advertisement
Wikimedia Commons MoMu - ModeMuseum Provincie Antwerpen
From where does the Matelassé pattern originate?
France
Matelassé is a French term meaning “quilted†or “padded.†Patterns in matelassé fabric are raised from the surrounding material, giving it the appearance of being padded when, in fact, no padding is used.
Arabia
Syria
Indonesia
You Got:
/40
Original