Palestinian Embroidery Art

The Palestinian embroidery is more than art or handicraft it is an integral part of the daily life of the Palestinian geographical and cultural landscape.Embroidery is sometimes called the national art of Palestine. The earliest forms of embroidered cross stitch in the Holy Land were around the 11th Century. Traditional folk embroidery was an art, with patterns, colors and types of stitch passed on through generations. Designs and thread were inspired by the natural environment in respective regions as well as rug designs in mosques and gold thread and symbols from the robes of church men. Some colors were derived from dyes from berries and flowers; others were pure silk threads from Lebanon and Syria.As with most important symbols, embroidery art is very important to the identity of the Palestinian culture. Each region has its own unique design and pattern.

The Palestinian folk arts have a rich and fascinating history. Silk thread and embroidery, together with an expanding repertoire of symbols, are known to have made their way from China to the Holy Land along the Silk and Spice Routes before being introduced to Europe by Christian saints, holy men and pilgrims. As clothing was of prime importance, Palestinian women wanted something personal, distinctive and handmade. By adopting the traditional styles and motifs of her area, a woman expressed her wish to identify and be identified with her cultural roots. Samples of late-nineteenth to early-twentieth century Palestinian costumes are considered to be representative of folk art at its best.Leila El Khalidi’s work in identifying and recording the history and motifs in Palestinian embroidery will be of interest both to craftspeople and to students of folk traditions and is an important step in preserving the Palestinian heritage.

The Palestinian girls used to wear the folkloric dress