The Paisley Pattern’s Past: Follow The Path Of Paisley Across The World

The Paisley Pattern’s Past: Follow The Path Of Paisley Across The World

Today we see the paisley print as being worn by the fashion fabulous, the boho chic and the downright eccentric. But the curved teardrop pattern has a significant history of cultural and religious use, from the ancient Middle East to Southern Asia to Western Scotland.

Follow this timeline of where paisley originated and where it has been since, and discover some fun facts about your favorite print along the way.

Persia

The pattern is thought to have originated in Persia, which is today’s Iran. It is an allegory for Iran’s split national identity between Arabic Islam and pre-Islamic Persian cultures. Supposedly, it represents a cedar tree, bent under the weight of Muslim invasion. As such, it is a metaphor for resistance and strength.

Fun Fact #1: The pattern has been dubbed the “Persian pickle” by American traditionalists.

Azerbaijan

Some Azerbaijani historians believe that the design is derived from the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism. A floral version of the cypress tree, it is the Zoroastrian symbol for life and eternity, the pattern has subsequently become widely used for decoration in Azerbaijani culture, especially in their architecture.

Fun Fact #2: The Azerbaijani team sported paisley pants at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Scotland

The Western name “paisley” originates from the Scottish town of the same name, a textile hub where weavers produced paisley patterns in the 1800’s for the Western consumer.

Fun Fact #3: When paisley started to be printed as a more affordable alternative to it being woven, paisley cottons squares became popular, which ultimately resulted in our modern-day bandana.

The 21st Century

Paisley was revived by the rock and roll and the hippie movements of the late 1960’s, which saw the Beatles favor paisley shirts and hippies sporting the print as a psychedelic mark of multiculturalism.

Fun Fact #4:  Prince named his record label Paisley Park Records, as a nod to the pattern’s influence on rock and roll.

Whether you’re trying to channel an ancient era of exotic fashion imports, or you just generally love looking like a retro rock star, sport a shirt in a paisley print.

With all the history that went into your paisley shirt, you can’t deny the pattern’s significance.

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