An embodiment of the system and method for optimizing pattern query searches on a graph database uses a pattern query optimizer to optimize execution of the search plan for any sequence of SQL expressions by separating or breaking a pattern query into multiple subpattern queries before converting the subpattern queries into SQL expressions. An embodiment of the pattern query optimizer algorithmically, without intervention by an analyst, decomposes any pattern query into a set of subpattern queries by first identifying branches and cycles within a pattern query and then decomposing each identified branch and cycle into equivalent straight line paths, i.e., straight line nodes joined by edges. Cardinality may be used to improve the performance of pattern searches.