Molas

Molas may refer to two distinct subjects, depending on context: a traditional textile art form crafted by the Kuna people of the San Blas archipelago on the Caribbean coast of Panama and Colombia, and the large ocean sunfish of the genus Mola.

Kuna molas are layered fabric panels produced as part of women's clothing. The technique, known as reverse appliqué, involves placing multiple pieces of brightly colored cloth in stacked layers and cutting away portions of the upper layers to reveal colors beneath. The resulting designs are typically geometric and abstract, though they may also depict animals, plants, or mythological motifs. Molas are traditionally incorporated into a blouse or tunic and carry cultural significance, with patterns and meanings transmitted within communities. Today they remain an important form of cultural expression and livelihood for Kuna artists, while also reaching global markets through galleries, fair-trade initiatives, and tourism.

Mola also refers to the ocean sunfish, specifically the members of the genus Mola. The best known species is Mola mola, with two related species, Mola alexandrini and Mola tecta. Ocean sunfish are among the heaviest known bony fishes, characterized by a flattened, oval body and the absence of a true tail. They swim with long dorsal and anal fins and can be observed cruising near the surface, sometimes basking in the sun. Their diet consists mainly of jellyfish and occasionally small fish and invertebrates. They inhabit temperate and tropical oceans worldwide and may undertake long migrations. They are vulnerable to threats such as boat collisions and bycatch in fisheries. The name mola derives from Latin, referring to a millstone in reference to the fish’s rounded shape.