The Paisley Design

The Paisley is a beautiful, varied design now found on textiles, interiors, and many types of items across the world. It has a visual form and history that are rich, while its existence spans millennia and has travelled across cultures.

Originating from the ancient Persian boteh and the Indian mango motifs, the organic shape of the Paisley represents life, growth and vitality.

In some variations it echoes the tree of life or a seed ready to sprout, connoting continuity and regeneration, while the repetition and flowing curves create a sense of unending movement and timelessness.

Woven into shawls and decorated on household textiles, the design also denotes warmth, shelter, and family continuity.

The Paisley arrived in Britain during the 18-19th centuries through the introduction of Kashmir shawls and replicated in the town of Paisley, Scotland. Its journey from Persia and South Asia to Europe and beyond also lends a symbolism of cultural exchange, adaptability, and the blending of traditions.

Paisley design on the border of a silk handwoven Indian sari