Can You Pass This Difficult Pattern Identification Quiz?

By: Kennita Leon
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Can You Pass This Difficult Pattern Identification Quiz?
Image: Joe Weisman/Wegmann via wiki Commons

About This Quiz

To put it as easily as we can, a pattern is a decorative design that is repeated. While we could get technical and get into all of the meanings of this word, this is exactly what we're referring to. You've probably seen them everywhere, from the wallpaper in your house to the clothing you wear and the sheets on your bed to the math you did in school. Patterns can be found just about anywhere and are definitely here to stay. But we want to know how much you know about them. Not in the sense that we're going to ask you who created the first pattern or where the word 'pattern' originates, but we want to see if you can identify some patterns from the pictures we're going to show you.

We're going to show you some pretty easily identifiable ones like the polka dot, the cheetah print, camouflage and paisley. But we're also going to give you some exotic ones like the toile, damask, quatrefoil, and chinoiserie. Do you think you'd be able to name these patterns from a picture and a clue (if you get stuck)? It's time to show us how much you actually know about some of the world's most popular patterns.

Floral
Shutterstock
Is this floral print?
Yes
The use of plant and flower motifs help create a pleasing composition to form this pattern. This pattern is regarded as romantic, feminine, and has the ability to enhance home décor.
No

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zebra
pexels.com
True or false: this is lion print.
True
False
Throughout history, people in high command would use the coats of the zebra and other animals as a symbol of wealth and status. Animal prints like the Zebra pattern now use fake fur instead of the animals' coat.

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cheetah print
Wegmann vai Wiki Commons
Can you remember what this one is called?
Oriental
Cheetah print
Characterized by solid black spots somewhat evenly placed on top a tan, brown surface. Cheetah print is popular in fashion accessories and footwear.
Mediterranean
Victorian

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Camouflage
Joe Weisman via Wiki Commons
Can you identify this pattern?
Hamptons
French glam
Mediterranean
Camouflage
A pixelated pattern that allows for an individual to effectively blend into their environment of similar color, camouflage usually has a tan base and will include either green, brown, black, khaki or light gray.

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Gingham Check – France
Wikimedia Commons By Kent Wang
What was this pattern named?
Eclectic
Check
Through the modification of the stripe pattern by crossing horizontal and vertical lines to forms squares, the check pattern emerged.
French country
Bohemian

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Southwestern
Wolfgang Sauber via Wiki Commons
Do you know the name of this pattern?
Country
Southwestern
Influenced by the Southwestern landscape, this vivid color pattern uses lots of reds, oranges and greens along with geometric shapes and repetition.
French country
Eclectic

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Damask
Wiki Commons
Is this the polka dot or damask pattern?
Polka dot
Damask
A richly patterned fabric that is woven using a single-color yarn to create a tone pattern that resembles matte over a sheen surface.

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Polka Dots
Shutterstock
Do you know the name of this pattern?
Polka dots
This pattern displays a collection of circles that can be the same size and color or can differ in size and color. Traditionally, this pattern is used in the clothing for Flamenco dancers, children's outfits and swimwear.
Asian
Coastal
Oriental

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basketweave
pexels.com
What is this one called?
Asian
Bohemian
Basketweave
Multiple horizontal lines over and underlay vertical lines to create squares. This pattern is most closely linked to woven baskets, knitting, and knot making.
Hamptons

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Honeycomb
Wiki Commons
What's the name of this pattern?
French glam
French country
Honeycomb
Created by a mass of hexagonal cells, the honeycomb pattern includes cells that are always quasi-horizontal and its non-angled rows are always horizontally aligned.
Shabby chic

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Chevron
Shutterstock
What's the name of this pattern?
Coastal
Asian
Country
Chevron
Traditionally, the Chevron design includes zigzags laid out in a stripe form. When the ends of this pattern meet up, it creates a miter joint.

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Animal Print
Shutterstock
Can you remember what this one is called?
Country
Scandinavian
Leopard print
Resembling the patterning found on the skin of a leopard, it consists of elaborate horseshoe-shaped rings with brown spots in the center. This pattern is extremely popular in the fashion industry.
Hamptons

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Gingham
Kent Wang via Wiki Commons
Can you identify this pattern?
Eclectic
Bohemian
Oriental
Gingham
Made up of checks, this pattern's coloring is on the warm​ side and runs along the grain. Fabric with this pattern is used as an inexpensive test textile, and in the United Kingdom, it is used for young girls' school uniforms.

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Balanced Stripes
Shutterstock
What is this one called?
Stripes
This pattern consists of a group of lines or thick bands of color that contrast an adjacent area. Stripes have been used in the food and fashion industry, as well as being found naturally in nature.
Moroccan
Shabby chic
Tropical

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Fleur-de-lis – France
Wikimedia Commons By Sodacan
Can you remember what this one is called?
Fleur-de-lis
A stylized French flower representing a lily, this pattern is popularly used as a decorative motif by Catholic churches.
Victorian
Eclectic
Bohemian

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Houndstooth - Scotland
Wikimedia Commons By Dave Gates from Portland, Oregon
What was this pattern named?
Victorian
Tropical
Scandinavian
Houndstooth
Comprising of a dual tone arrangement of broken abstract four-pointed squares, this textile pattern can be dated between 360 and 100 BC with the oldest appearance being the Gerum Cloak.

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scale
pexels.com
Which pattern is this?
Oriental
Mediterranean
Moroccan
Scale
Made up of rows and columns of scallop-like shapes, this pattern can be found in nature on fish and it is also used in art deco clothing and art design.

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Diamond
Shutterstock
Can you remember what this one is called?
Asian
Coastal
Diamond
Formed with the use of repeating Diamond motifs linked together, this pattern is also found in the Argyle pattern. Placed on a solid background, the shapes of the diamonds can vary in color and size.
French country

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Harlequin
Wiki Commons
What's the name of this pattern?
French glam
Hamptons
Harlequin
A Harlequin pattern is made up of diamonds and is fashioned after the 16th-century characters from the Italian theater movement. Originally, these comedic characters wore clothes that were sewn together from scraps.
Moroccan

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Herringbone – Scotland
Wikimedia Commons By Wdcf
Is this the brocade or herringbone pattern?
Brocade
Herringbone
This pattern gets its name for its resemblance to the bones of a herring fish. It consists of a collection of rectangles or parallelograms.

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Greek Key – Greece
Wikimedia Commons By Hannes Grobe
Is this the Greek key or quatrefoil pattern?
Greek key
Formed through interlocking motifs that make up a continuous line, this pattern is commonly used in Greece and is applied to clothing, buildings, and art.
Quatrefoil

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Trellis
Shutterstock
What was this pattern named?
French glam
Country
Imperial trellis
Interlinking geometric shapes form this classic looking pattern. It is very popular in interior design, home décor, and art deco.
Scandinavian

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quatrefoil
pexels.com
What is this one called?
Quatrefoil
The word Quatrefoil is Latin for ‘four leaves.' This pattern is created by the use of asymmetrical shapes forming an oval outline.
Bohemian
Country
Tropical

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Geometric
Shutterstock
Is this a geometric pattern?
Yes
A pattern formed from geometric shapes like lines, ellipses, triangles, circles, rectangles, and polygons being repeated.
No

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Toile
Velvetbrighton via Wiki Commons
Can you identify this pattern?
Toile
This pattern usually consists of a white or off-white background with single-color imagery depicting complex pastoral scenes. The surface decoration is painted onto the fabric of the same name or any cheap material to test the pattern.
Eclectic
Coastal
Moroccan

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Brocade
Sialkgraph via Wiki Commons
What is this one called?
Mediterranean
Brocade
Characterized by its second non-structural weft pattern, giving it an appearance similar to that of a raised embroidery. Often this pattern includes beautiful floral, animal, or geometric designs.
French country
Shabby chic

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Tartan
Shutterstock
True or false? This is tartan.
True
Originating in woven wool, tartan is made up of crisscrossing horizontal and vertical stripes of multiple colors. This pattern is heavily associated with Scotland because Scottish kilts are mostly made out of Tartan.
False

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Palmette (or Anthemion)
Wikimedia Commons By Enyama
What's the name of this pattern?
Asian
French country
Hamptons
Palmette
Distinguished by having a fan shape motif, this pattern is ornamental and has a symmetrical spreading above with a single base toward the bottom.

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Medallion
Dubai Persian carpets via Wiki Commons
Which pattern is this?
Mediterranean
Shabby chic
Medallion
Created by a central motif that can be oval or circular and is surrounded by multiple decorative borders. This pattern is used in quilt making.
Coastal

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Cartouche
Mathildehamm via Wiki Commons
Do you know the name of this pattern?
Moroccan
French glam
Tropical
Cartouche
Depicted with an oblong decorative figure, which acts as a frame to emphasize a design element. Cartouche was found on Egyptian monuments enclosing royal or divine names.

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Argyle - Scotland
Wikimedia Commons By Stannered
True or false? This is gargoyle.
True
False
Scottish Highlanders have worn the Argyle pattern since the 17th century. It is made up of diamonds and an overlay of diagonal intercrossing lines.

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scroll
www.pixabay.com
Is this the scroll or cartouche pattern?
Scroll
This graphic ornamental pattern includes spirals and incomplete rolling circle motifs. It can also resemble vines and have leaves and flowers.
Cartouche

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Moroccan lattice
LexMod via Youtube
Is this Moroccan lattice?
Yes
A diamond lattice arrangement mixed with tribal style distinguishes the Moroccan lattice pattern. It is commonly used in tapestry and home décor, like pillows, rugs, and decorative panels.
No

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Jacquard
Wiki Commons
True or false? This is jacquard.
True
Woven fabrics that are richly patterned, like Damasks and Brocades, are made using a Jacquard loom. This pattern depicts large wove-in designs that are repeated and can also have a tapestry effect.
False

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Ikat – Indonesia
Wikimedia Commons By Chris Hazzard
What was this pattern named?
Moroccan
Ikat
This very popular pattern can be found in Southeast Asian, American, or Middle Eastern textiles. The term Ikat refers to the dyeing technique that is used to create the design motifs on fabric.
French glam
Shabby chic

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Paisley
Shutterstock
Which pattern is this?
Scandinavian
French country
Paisley
This decorative pattern gained popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries. It includes a stylized teardrop and remains prevalent in clothing found in Iran and South Central Asian regions.
Bohemian

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Vermicular
Frank Vincentz via Wiki Commons
Can you identify this pattern?
Vermicular
Formed from irregular twisted lines, this pattern naturally occurs in nature and is seen in seaweed. It is also represented by scribbles and can include dots.
Scandinavian
Oriental
Industrial

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ogee
Sea Lemon via Youtube
Do you know the name of this pattern?
Ogee
An onion-shaped symbol is used as the main motif of this pattern. This pattern works well for art deco pieces like throw pillows and rugs.
Hamptons
Mediterranean
Eclectic

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Liberty
Catherine Beck via Youtube
Which pattern is this?
Craftsman
Asian
Liberty
Produced in the 1920s by a department store in London called Liberty, this pattern includes paisley, abstract symbols, and floral print.
Coastal

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Chinoiserie
Wiki Commons
Is this toile?
Yes
No
Distinguished by its lively decorative quality and asymmetry, this pattern is an interpretation of Chinese and East Asian aesthetics.

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You Got:
/40
Joe Weisman/Wegmann via wiki Commons