菱 Hishi
Traditional Japanese pattern (wagara) · wallpaper & status-bar design
Overview
Hishi is a lattice of slim diamonds (rhombi) derived from the leaf of the water caltrop.
菱は斜め格子が作る菱形の文様。植物の菱に由来し、繁殖力から子孫繁栄・無病息災を願う。
History & origin
The diamond is one of the oldest motifs in Japanese design, found on Jomon pottery and developed through the Heian aristocracy into many variants such as hanabishi (flower diamonds) and matsukawabishi. It often signalled noble status.
Symbolism & meaning
The water caltrop spreads vigorously, so hishi expresses fertility, descendants and good health, with the layered diamonds also suggesting strength.
Traditional use
Hishi decorates formal kimono, obi and crests, and combines easily with florals. Its fine diagonal lattice gives a delicate, textile-like wallpaper.
Set it as your wallpaper
- Open the design in the editor and tune its colors.
- Recolor the ground and pattern, then add your own photo as the background.
- Download the PNG and set it as your wallpaper (Settings → Wallpaper on iPhone, or “Set as wallpaper” on Android).
New to custom wallpapers? Read the full step-by-step guide for iPhone & Android →
Hishi colorways
More patterns
The Hishi motif is part of the public-domain canon of Japanese wagara. The artwork on obolo is our own original rendering.