THE DYING ART OF MEANING

“Rugs are written pages. In their maze of design there is a symbolical language, the key of which in its ceaseless transmission through the centuries has unhappily been all but lost.” – J.K. Mumford, Oriental Rugs, New York, 1915.

Despite the popularization of rugs in the market, there is historical amnesia about the marvelous history of these exquisite treasures. More people have a lack of understanding of oriental rugs as a work of art. Rugs are capable of representing history and bringing cultural diversity to every room. This may be due to the fact that few crafts have such a strong connection to their origins as rugmaking. The artistry of handmade rugs reflects a skill that spans for thousands of years. As far as the art of weaving rugs is concerned, the basic method has remained largely unchanged, even though new varieties of fabrics, dyes, and technologically sophisticated looms and machines have come into operation. It's been about 2,500 years before we learned that weavers have finally started to practice the art of using a loom rig to make more complex patterns. Even before that, skilled craftsmen have been creating hand-weaving techniques that are still common in most of the Eastern world today.

ANCIENT HISTORY OF RUGS

Earlier rug designs have taken place in the Middle East and the areas of Central Asia, perhaps starting out as a functional requirement of life. Hand-knotted rugs and carpets may have begun to simulate the warmth and texture of furs, helping to shield homes from the cold of winter. But as craftsmen started to emerge, patterns and weaving methods became more complex. The first surviving example of ancient weaving practice is the Pazryk carpet, which was found in Siberia and dates back to about 400 B.C. It is believed to be Persian in origin, featuring different regional designs and features with an expertise that suggests that the weaving method had been perfected through centuries of experience before then.

Although nomadic weavers may have started art for pragmatic reasons, area rugs were usually a symbol of success, when European aristocracy began replacing straw floor coverings with imported area rugs around the 17th century. It wasn't until after World War II, when mass manufacturing of rugs came into effect, that rugs became a household staple in the Western world. Advanced power loom techniques have simulated the ancient craft, in some cases even enhancing the longevity of the rug. However, hand-woven rugs remained widely sought after home additions, in some cases appreciating value over time. And understanding the past and the artistry behind such items gives the collector a meaning that goes beyond the price tag.

PATTERNS IN RUGS

The long tradition of symbolism is visible in rugs. Many of the icons you'll find in this blog can be found in kilim patterns, Anatolian rug patterns, Caucasian rugs, Turkish rugs, Kurdish rugs and Persian rugs. This secret language is the desire of many people who long to grasp oriental rug symbols, their roots and meanings: there is still a sense of wonder and curiosity about rug imagery.

Now, let’s focus on Persian rugs. hardly anything is known about Persian carpet making before the 15th century, when the craft had already reached its height. The Mongolian conquest of the 13th century had depressed Persia 's creative existence, only slightly revived by the Renaissance under the Il-Khan dynasty of Mongolia (1256–1353). While the conquests of Timur (died 1405) were, in most ways, catastrophic for Persia, he favored the craftsmen and spared them the work of his great palaces in Samarkand. Persian rugs have intricate designs, and they contain so much imagery. People, however, have a lack of understanding of what the weavers are trying to represent. Here are common elements you will see in a Persian rug. There are many symbols such as the lotus, roses, trees, leaves, peacocks, phoenix, leopards, lions, eagles, camels, and much more!

Water is the most important element on this planet. It's great to see how many nomadic and ancient weavers used the flowing water icon in their rugs as an acknowledgement of the soothing and life-giving qualities of water. The symbol of water implies creation, heaven, vitality, cleanliness and the ability to conquer obstacles.

From the base of the earth and the rising branches, the tree of life imagery is symbolic of the transfer of consciousness from the worldly to the spiritual. The tree of life icon, found throughout the world, is one of the most respected and profound symbols in oriental rugs. The tree of the emblem of creation reminds us of man's divinity, which predates both Christianity and Islam. The tree of life provides durability, immortality, happiness and hope.