Kikko: the tortoise shell pattern for a long life
Make a Kikko wallpaper in your colors
At a glance
| Japanese name | 亀甲 (きっこう, Kikko) |
|---|---|
| Motif | Tortoise shell |
| Wish it carries | Long life |
| Season | All year; celebrations for elders |
| Where you see it | Family crests, obi sashes, lacquerware |
What it looks like
Kikko is a honeycomb of hexagons, like the plates on a tortoise shell. In the maker each hexagon has a second, smaller hexagon inside and a dot at the center, which gives the pattern depth.
History
Hexagon patterns came to Japan from the continent and have been used since ancient times. Many variations exist, such as hexagons with flowers inside or three hexagons joined in a group. Kikko is also common in family crests.
What it means
In Japan the turtle is a symbol of long life. A well-known saying holds that “the crane lives a thousand years, the turtle ten thousand.” Kikko is therefore a wish for longevity and is used for celebrations and for gifts to older family members.
How it is drawn
Hexagons tile the plane with no gaps. Each row is shifted by half a hexagon so that every hexagon touches six others. The inner hexagon is 62% of the outer one, and the center dot adds a focal point.
Ways to use it
Black and gold makes kikko look rich and formal. Teal and cream is calmer. Pink and plum is a softer option for cards and wrapping paper.
- Open the maker with Kikko already selected.
- Pick one of the color sets, or choose your own ground and line colors.
- Choose a size: phone, desktop, video call, square or A4 print.
- Download it as a PNG, or as an SVG if you want to edit or print it at any size.