in beautiful patterns; in intricate designs
Describes something forming or being arranged in visually striking, often complex patterns, like woven fabric or natural scenery.
紅葉が山肌に綾をなして広がっていた。
The autumn leaves spread across the mountainside in beautiful patterns.
色とりどりの花が庭に綾をなして咲いている。
Colorful flowers are blooming in the garden in intricate designs.
Standard kanji spelling using 綾 (pattern, design) and なして (from 成す, to form).
Alternate kanji spelling using 成す (to form, to make).
From 綾 (aya, 'pattern, design') + を + なして (nashite, the te-form of 成す nasu, 'to form, to make'). The phrase literally means 'forming a pattern' and is used adverbially to describe something appearing in intricate or beautiful arrangements.