Intricate patterns and ornaments of oriental carpets can be viewed endlessly. They attract the eye with their mystique, mysterious charm of the East, they contain the symbols that are incomprehensible at first sight, but able to tell the real stories and be the key to the traditions of the country where the product was woven. In national culture of the East the patterns on carpets played not only a decorative role. They were imbued with the deepest style.
What do the ornaments of eastern carpets mean?
Traditions of handmade carpets in the majority of Eastern countries haven’t changed for centuries. They are handed down in families from one generation to another, they are strictly observed and honored. The ornaments used are not just beautiful symbols and plots. Each of them has a certain meaning, which can be easily understood by oriental man, but sometimes completely inaccessible for Europeans.
Conventionally, all the pictures on the rugs can be divided into several groups:
- Averters;
- Protectors;
- Brings good luck;
- Wishes-fulfilling;
- Bringing prosperity and abundance to the home;
- Supporting Family Ties.
The ability to accurately read the symbols on the rug is a pledge of the right choice of product, depending on where it is going to be placed.
What are the ornaments on oriental rugs
To believe or not that the symbols on the carpets can affect the lives of people is a private matter for everyone. But to have at least a general idea of what those or other signs depicted on the cloth are, in any case, is useful.
Vegetable motifs on oriental handmade or manufactured carpets mean something:
- Flowers and green leaves symbolize the beauty of life, wish fulfillment, purity of intentions;
- Almonds promise prosperity, youth, longevity;
- Pomegranate protects against adversity, a symbol of love and fertility, brings success into the home;
- The Lotus symbolizes purity and freshness;
- Chrysanthemum, joy and happiness;
- Peach – strength, renewal, inexhaustible life potential;
- Narcissus – gives hope, helps to find confidence, tranquility.
Sometimes on oriental carpets there are symbols that may be perceived as negative, such as images of hot pepper pods or burdock flowers with thorns. In fact, in oriental symbolism they are powerful amulets against ill-wishers and any troubles.
What do the images of mythical animals mean?
- Dragons are symbols of happiness, good luck;
- Unicorns and pegasi help to gain wisdom in life, to become more prudent;
- Mythological birds Simurgh and Phoenix – signs of immortality, divine power, greatness, wisdom, deep understanding of life.
Oriental carpets with patterns showing animals, birds, insects carry the following message:
- Eagle – a masculine symbol filled with power, courage, willpower;
- Lion – strength, courage, bravery;
- Rooster – herald of the morning, gives energy, symbolizes the dawn of life;
- Peacock – defender of the home, the family home;
- Camels – symbols of endurance, the pursuit of the goal, the achievement of wealth;
- Horse means courage, valor, speed, nobility;
- Butterflies – symbol of tenderness, happiness;
- Pisces and their scales will bring prosperity to the house.
Occur in Eastern patterns, and many other symbols, among which there are both understandable, and quite mysterious:
- The star and its radiance will bring true happiness to the house;
- Swastika, which seems scary to many people, actually symbolizes the power of nature, the power of the four elements, is considered the strongest by its energy amulet;
- Yin-Yang sign – the connection of male and female origin, a symbol of harmony and love;
- Eye – protection from evil people, their dishonest intentions;
- Hooks and S-shaped symbols are also elements of protection;
- Chintamani – the most ancient and one of the most powerful symbols, resembling three circles enclosed in a triangle with wavy edges, helps to achieve the desired, achieve the goals.
It is not easy to understand the complicated symbolism of oriental carpets. But when you buy a product from a competent dealer, who wants not just to sell goods, but also to bring benefits to the buyer, you can get a full and detailed explanation of each of the signs on the cloth.
Features of the arrangement of patterns
Depending on how the pattern is located on the rug, we can distinguish several types:
- Medallion – located in the center of the composition, consists of many elements, is round, oval, diamond-shaped, associated with the sun, sometimes reminiscent of the image of the eye;
- Avshan – translated as speckled and is repeated throughout the entire area of the product pattern without the use of the central medallion;
- Heshti – the product is conventionally divided into squares, each of which contains an individual ornament;
- Mihrab – the image of the prayer niche of the mosque, in addition to floral motifs and other bizarre forms.
Differences in Carpet Patterns in Different Countries
Each of the countries of the East has its own carpet weaving traditions, including the colors and styles used, the diversity of symbols.
World famous oriental Persian carpets produced in Iran originally contained a big number of intricate plots with animals and birds. When Islam came to the country the traditions were changed and it was forbidden to depict creations of Allah, i.e. all living things, on the floor coverings. Since then, complex patterns, individual for each of the directions represented in the country, have prevailed on the canvases.
The most popular is Tabriz, which is a product with a complex ornamental pattern, placed on a red or blue background. The plot seems chaotic, a bit asymmetrical and even abstract, but in fact it is thoroughly thought over and inspired by the poetry of the East. Floral and plant motifs are predominant in it.
- Isfahan contains a clear pattern, which makes the paintings look like real paintings;
- Kumy have light-colored backgrounds and contrasting ornamental content with a lot of perfectly readable small elements;
- Nain – light-colored carpets with floral subjects.
For products from Turkey images of mosques are characteristic. The drawing is sometimes deprived of symmetry and additionally contains a large number of plant motifs, vines, exotic flowers, exotic animals.
Carpet weaving came to India from Persia, so the carpets made here are similar in style. Color palette is bright and saturated, the ornament is complex, sometimes slightly asymmetric, and contains a large number of plant motifs.
Images of dragons and birds are traditional for China, and can also be found on contemporary products.
The use of oriental carpets in the interior, expert advice
Oriental carpets are a collection of products from Central Asia and the Middle East. In India, there are centers for the production and sale of such carpets. But the major suppliers are considered Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Iran.
The Persian rug and “kilim” are considered to be common. The first cloth is a product made of thick pile with a small, but expressive pattern. Silk carpets are of particular value today, in which artisans put a piece of their soul. These are not just products of weaving. This is a true work of art, which is difficult to find an identical one.
Whereas “kilims” are ancient product that is notable for its simplicity. These products belong to the category of “woven”. And even taking into account the fact that the carpet can have a lot of incompleteness, it is considered to be expensive and luxurious. And some experts see value even in these imperfections.
A tufted carpet is created for profit. Whereas “kilim” is made for oneself. To decorate the interior of their homes. The ornament and pattern of such a product can be large or small, contrast or monotonous. There are no special rules. It all depends solely on the mood and impulses of imagination of the master.
Oriental rugs in modern interiors
Nowadays, courageous and avant-garde designers advise to decorate the interior with wool or silk oriental carpets. It does not matter if it is Arabian carpets or products of Azerbaijani masters, in any case you will add brightness, contrast and originality to your home.
Today, decorators advise to use carpets not only as a floor covering. They hang these handmade cloths on the walls, lay them on sofas and use them in new conditions, unusual for us. Designers are trying to give a new life to the oriental carpets, saying that it is not necessary to trample on this miracle. Interesting oriental carpets deserve to be admired.
Oriental silk or wool rugs can be used in a variety of styles. They will fit in a classic interior of a study or a living room of a trendy loft apartment studio. There are no restrictions here. You have to turn on your imagination and see what the rest of us can’t understand.
Traditional carpets in the old oriental style can be different colors, made of natural thread: wool, silk, including their combination. Each country or region may have its own characteristics: weaving, ornamental and color. Carpet connoisseurs can easily recognize where this or that rug was created.
How to achieve interior harmony with an oriental rug?
If you want oriental rugs to be a highlight of the interior, you should follow some unwritten rules. We will talk about this further on. So:
- Make every effort to maintain a homogeneous palette of colors in the interior: competently combine the rug with cushions, and everything in that spirit. No one is saying to take away the contrast. You have to know the line when it’s best to stop.
- If you bought a really good quality handmade wool or silk rug, you can make it the center of the interior. To do this, it is recommended to make the decoration of the room light, so to speak, neutral. Only in this case, a masterpiece of Eastern handicrafts will look great.
- If you are a supporter of monochrome decoration, in this case the woolen carpet and surrounding things should be of the same color, with a slight difference in shades. Decorations, elements of furniture and decorations can complement each other, showing unobtrusiveness and lightness.
