Ways to Interpret Some Common Symbols Found in Rugs

Handwoven rugs depict a host of rather interesting symbols. Traditional symbols on hand-woven rugs bear witness to many of the beliefs and superstitions that are held in central Asian countries where the art of weaving was born and still thrives. A pattern has three fundamental elements, a unit, repetition, and a system of an organization which can be interpreted in a curvilinear or rectilinear manner.

The patterns in the Persian rugs bought from any reputed Persian rugs wholesaler depicts designs that were made thousands of years ago and have been handed down from one generation to the next. These hand-woven rugs are unique as you won’t find two hand-knotted rugs that look the same. People from various regions – tribes, villages, cities – use different designs and materials in the construction of rugs.

Any Oriental rug design that is bought from any reputed Persian rugs wholesaler contains certain components that remain same in all the rugs:

Borders :

There are usually two borders on a rug one is the main border which is the widest section of design around the outside of the rug, while another border is the guarded border that is usually narrow and lies inside the main border.

Field : The field is the colorful background inside the borders.

Medallion : Often, rugs feature a medallion in the center of the field. The medallion is a large shape which can be round, oval or polygonal and sits prominently in the middle of the rug.

Corner brackets, quarter panels or spandrels: These are designs that fill the corners of the field.

Some Common Symbols on Oriental Rugs

Birth Motifs

Elibelinde : This symbol represents the mythological goddess of the same name and it looks like a figure of a person.

Ram’s horn : A Ram’s horn symbolizes masculinity. The central part of the design represents male fertility and power.

Life Symbols

Comb and earrings : These two symbols reflect a desire to marry. The comb is a nuptial accessory, while the earrings are a common wedding gift.

Sandikly – hope chest/ trousseau: This symbol reflects the objects that girls weave for their trousseaus before they get married. These objects include small purses, kilims, scarfs, belts, and garments.

Yildiz – stars: Stars are a symbol of happiness and a life full of hope.

Ying-Yang : This Ying-Yang holds a different meaning to that of the more common Ying-Yang. It symbolizes a balanced relationship between women and men.

Afterlife symbols

Birds : Birds symbolize the flight of the soul to heaven.

Vulture : This kind of bird is particularly important as it indicates the souls of the dead.

Tree of life : This is the most widely-known symbol of immortality.

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