Handmade Persian rugs, especially tribal rugs, are not just highly prized beautiful floor coverings but also artwork that depicts the culture, tradition, and faith of the people of this land. Each motif and pattern in these rugs has a story and secrets that have been passed on over centuries ago. We shall demystify in this article the motifs and patterns used in Tribal Persian Rugs and interpret what the motifs tell about their place of origin and meaning.
Common Symbols and Patterns in Tribal Persian Rugs
Lozenge (Diamond Shape)
Lozenge is one of the most ubiquitous motifs that appear in tribal rugs as single or nested diamonds. Historically, this motif was employed as a protection talisman against evil eye.
Triangle
In tribal mythology, the pyramid or triangle symbolizes the evil forces (Ahriman), and its application in conjunction with motifs or within the border of the carpet was meant to ward off evil forces from entering the area. Ram's Head
The ram's head is utilized to represent power and grandeur, which is typically associated with a dignitary. Turkmen tribes placed this symbol on the chief's (khan) tent to protect him or the powerful individual from evil eyes.
Goat
A goat represents the invocation of rain within Iranian mythological society and is typically duplicated throughout many tribal themes.
Crab
The symbol of the crab is used as a repulsive symbol of evil and misfortune. In other tribal Tribal Persian Rugs, the symbol is used for warding off disasters and tragedies.
Snake and Dragon
The snake in Iranian culture symbolizes guardian and health. The snake in the design of the Tribal Persian Rugs is worked in the shape of S, which is known as the cloud and wind pattern. The dragon is also a guardian and protector who repels evil.
Fish
The fish symbolizes the preservation of life and is usually portrayed with the sun or tree of life.
Quatrefoil (Four-Leaf Pattern)
The symbol resembles a flower having four petals and signifies the four essential elements (water, air, earth, fire), the four cardinal points, and the four seasons of the year.
Turtle
The turtle represents long life and fertility. In Tribal Persian Rugs where the pattern of the turtle features, mothers would include this design in Tribal Persian Rugs made for their daughters to give them long life and numerous children.
Lion
The lion represents power and spiritual power on the earth. Lion-patterned rugs were given to the khan (tribal chief) or respected members of the tribe to attract positive forces towards them.
Dog
The dog symbolizes war and guarding the family and tribe. Dog designs were incorporated in Tribal Persian Rugs occasionally to symbolize battles or incidents during the days of the nomads.
Peacock
The peacock is referred to as an illusory bird, and this design was added to rugs to avoid dishonesty and cheating.
Eagle
The eagle is a powerful bird soaring at great heights and symbolizes power and supernatural strength on the earth.
Crane
The crane is the symbol of praying for blessings and prosperity and rain.
Crow
The crow is the symbol of the messenger or bringer of news.
Rooster
The rooster is a religious bird in tribal society, since it crows at morning and declares the beginning of the day and end of night and darkness.
Hand
A motif of one hand is a symbol of warning and caution, and two hands symbolize peace and friendship.
Man and Woman
The man and woman figure in tribal rugs were normally used by families seeking children or to signify the importance of family and continuation of generations. The symbol was also placed together with the Tree of Life or the Sun.
Tree of Life
One of the most powerful and spiritual themes present in Tribal Persian Rugs is the Tree of Life. This theme represents growth, perpetuation of life, fertility, and the harmony between earth and heaven.
Nomads believed that this tree represented the boundary between the material world and the spiritual world, and its representation in Tribal Persian Rugs would mean a life of energy and stability.
Sun
The Sun is depicted in the majority of tribal rugs as radiating circles and symbolizes light, heat, and the source of life. Others believed that including the sun in Tribal Persian Rugs would introduce good energies into the home.
Evil Eye (Nazar)
The evil eye or Nazar symbol is found in almost all tribal rugs. The nomads used this symbol as a way of warding off negative energies and for protecting their families and properties amidst the pattern of the rug.
Eight-Pointed Star
The eight-pointed star is one of the important geometric designs in tribal carpets, symbolizing cosmic harmony, harmony of nature, and the harmony of man and the universe. It was thought by numerous people that the eight-pointed star would create harmony in the life of family.
Tribal Rug | Personal Identity Card of Ethnic Heritage
Every Iranian tribal rug is a kind of identification card of the ethnic, geographic, and religious heritage of the weaver. Different color schemes, combinations of motifs' patterns, and methods of weaving differentiate the specific geographic region or tribe.
Qashqai rugs, for instance, abound in vivid colors and animal imagery, while Bakhtiari rugs are marked by clear geometric figures and broad lines. The Turkmen rugs with their infinite repetitions and reddish backgrounds can easily be identified.
Colors in Tribal Persian Rugs: An Unspoken yet Communicative Language
• Tribal rug colors are never arbitrary. Every one of them has an inherent meaning:
• Red: Symbol of strength, love, and courage.
• Blue: Symbolizes calmness, spirituality, and loyalty.
• Green: Sacred color, indicating fertility and fertile land.
• Yellow and Gold: Represent light, blessings, and abundance.
• Black: Used to establish boundaries and ward off evil powers.
These colors were traditionally extracted from natural dyes derived from plants, tree barks, and minerals, further enriching the cultural value of the rug.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What do tribal rugs' shared symbols mean?
The lozenge, ram's head, Tree of Life, Sun, snake, and eight-pointed star are all symbolic and carry meanings. The lozenge, for example, protects against the evil eye, the Tree of Life symbolizes fertility and perpetuation of life, and the snake is the health protector.
How can a tribal rug's origin or tribe be identified?
By examination of the motifs, colors, composition, and weaving style, professionals can determine the tribe or region the rug comes from. Qashqai rugs, for instance, are highly patterned and colorful, whereas Turkmen rugs consist of repetitive patterns over a dark red background.
Where do Persian rug patterns get their inspiration from?
The main sources of inspiration are nature (trees, plants, animals), mythological and religious mythology, and nomadic life.
Do tribal rugs have meaning in the colors used?
Yes. For example, red implies love and strength, blue serenity and spirituality, and green fertility and blessings.
Why are there so many geometric shapes on Tribal Persian Rugs?
Geometric shapes were utilized because it was simple to weave using primitive nomadic equipment. Furthermore, the shapes carried deep symbolic and meaningful undertones.
Conclusion
The Tribal Persian Rugs is not just a floor covering; it is a story rug. Every warp and weft contains the culture, identity, beliefs, and history of the people who painstakingly made it. The motifs and symbols that appear simple on the surface are a silent book of nomadic life.
Interpreting these symbols not only contributes to the aesthetic value of the rug but also becomes the key to deciphering the deeper aspects of the Iranian people's cultural and spiritual heritage.