PATTERNS AND SYMBOLISM

While today’s kebaya designs usually feature flowers, birds and butterflies, Wong shares that, in the past, Nyonyas would customise their kebaya with meaningful embroidery patterns. For example, butterflies among flowers (dié liàn huā) represent love; peonies signify spring and youthfulness; and orchids (lán xīn huì zhí) symbolise an understanding and caring personality. Chrysanthemums portray strong vitality (huólì) and tenacity (rèn xìng); birds among flowers (usually plum blossoms) signify happiness and a resilient marriage; double phoenixes represent conjugal bliss; and goldfishes and cranes in a lake represent wealth and longevity.