Difference between 柄 and 模様


I've tried to find the differences between 柄 and 模様 everywhere but to no
avail.

What are the differences between 柄 and 模様?




柄 is closer to _style_ , and it also means _character_ (as in [人柄]{ひとがら}). 模様
is closer to objective _pattern_ , and it also means _appearance_ , _current
situation_ (as in [空模様]{そらもよう}).

When used for the style of clothes, skin of cats, etc., 柄 and 模様 are basically
interchangeable. But I feel ～柄 is used mainly for organic patterns, and ～模様 is
more common for inorganic/geometric/abstract patterns.

  * [花]{はな}柄 ＞＞ 花模様 (floral)
  * ヒョウ柄 ＞ ヒョウ模様 (leopard)
  * [迷彩]{めいさい}柄 ≒ 迷彩模様 (camouflage)
  * [水玉]{みずたま}柄 ＜ 水玉模様 (polka dot)
  * [縞]{しま}柄 ＜＜ 縞模様 (stripe)

文様【もんよう】 is also used for traditional and complicated patterns such as
Arabesque.

Only 模様 can be used with the patterns of rocks, electronic circuits, etc,
because they're not related to decorating something/someone.

