In the history of the development of batik have evolved, from painting motifs of animals and plants, turning on an abstract motif that resembles a cloud, temple reliefs, wayang beber and so forth.
Furthermore, through the merger of the painting with the art of decorating style clothing, batik art emerged as we know it today.
There is no official record when batik became known, but according to estimates already in Pekalongan batik circa 1800's, as a small tree motif in the form of clothing material.
But significant progress is expected to occur after a major war or war Diponegoro Java in 1825-1830 in the kingdom of Mataram, so the royal family and urged his followers to leave the area of the kingdom. They spread to the East and West, and in a new area that the family and followers develop batik.
Over time, Pekalongan Batik experiencing rapid development compared to other regions, the Pekalongan encounter with the various nations such as China, Dutch, Arabic, Indian, Malay and growing rapidly since the Japanese occupation.
In some records, the development of batik is mostly done in times of Mataram kingdom, and in the kingdom of Solo and Yogyakarta.
Initially batik is done only limited in the palace alone, to dress the king and family and his followers, as many of the followers of the king who lived outside the palace, the art of batik was brought by them out palace and worked in place of each.
Batik art gradually imitated by the people nearest and extends to the work of women in the household to fill his spare time. So batik clothes that used only the royal family, then became a popular folk clothes, both women and men.