International Journal of Arts Architecture & Design

This research offers a design-focused analysis of symmetry in the traditional textile motifs of the Rabha community in Assam, India. It investigates the function of symmetry—as both an aesthetic and structural principle within Rabha weaving traditions, emphasizing motifs, visual forms, and spatial arrangements through symmetry analysis. Employing a qualitative, visual-analytical approach grounded in ethnographic fieldwork and mathematical symmetry theory, the research identifies and classifies motifs according to their visual attributes, symmetry operations, and compositional principles. The findings show that the main types of symmetry observed in Rabha textiles are reflection and translation symmetry. Floral and ritual motifs commonly exhibit rotational symmetry. These symmetrical designs reflect the Rabha people’s understanding of the universe as balanced and harmonious. They also demonstrate the close relationship between cultural beliefs and visual organization. The study highlights that indigenous craft traditions, such as Rabha traditional textile motifs, are not only decorative but also reflect complex mathematical thinking and aesthetic principles. This research enhances the domain of indigenous design studies by offering a framework for comprehending traditional textile design systems through the amalgamation of mathematical logic, visual forms, and their compositional structure.