Color and Pattern Significance in Amish Textile Art
With respect to Amish textiles, color and pattern bear significance. Color significance can include:
- Black for protection or binding of the elements
Multi-color Star Spin Quilt
- Blue for peace and spirituality
- Violet or purple for honoring sacred things and beliefs
- Green for growth, fertility and success
- White for purity
- Red or pink for the importance of family and community
- Yellow for unity within the family and mind/body wellness
Pattern significance can include:
- Central blocks in patterns indicate hearth or home
Heirloom Quilt central medallion detail
- Stars can represent many things including good fortune, love, hope, harmony, energy, fertility and protection from fires
- Eight points in an Amish star signify abundance and good will
- Hand quilted patterns also have meaning, some of which are as follows:
- Intertwined elements signify a happy home, harmony and long life
- Birds and rosettes (or floral elements) are for good luck
- Lilies suggest unending life
- Greens (vines and leaves) along with floral elements ensure the home is filled with life and vitality
- Scallops indicate smooth sailingin life
Feathered heart hand quilted detail
- Feathered elements are for hope, charity and personal faith
- A pineapple symbolizes warmth and hospitality and offers a welcome greeting to all.
