How to Interpret a Rug’s Design

woman cutting Oriental Rug from loom

By learning the meanings of Persian rug patterns, you will be able to “read a rug” and understand what the weaver tells us. The names of Persian rug patterns are derived from the city, village, or tribe where particular patterns were first woven or traded.

Rug design techniques that were made thousands of years ago have been handed down from one generation to the next. Few written records exist of the design process and no two hand-knotted rugs are the same.

People from various regions – tribes, villages, cities – use different designs and materials in the construction of rugs. Wool is, by far, the most common material used because those rugs are the most durable and marketable. Using the wool from the sheep that is dyed, spun, and then woven into rugs and other useful items, the finished product is then taken from the tribe to the bazaar in the various cities where they are sold throughout the world.

Various religions are practiced throughout the tribes, and Persian rug makers believe that the rugs are made with a sense that God is watching them. Also, rugs mean income and that means survival to many of the people involved in the rug-making process in this country.

What determines the value of a rug?

Hand-made rugs are more valuable than machine-made rugs. The back of the rug will help a person determine if it is hand-made or machine-made. A hand-made rug has the same, vibrant design as the front of the rug.

Knot Count: the more knots per square inch, the more valuable the rug.

Design: the more intricate the design, the more valuable the rug.

Materials: Silk is the most expensive material used, and the very nature of that natural material requires the rug maker(s) to create a rug with a high number of knots per square inch (1,000/Square Inch or more) than other rugs. Because of the materials used and the time to construct these rugs—often a year or a person’s lifetime—silk rugs are often the most expensive rugs on the market.

Wool is the most common material used in Persian rugs. Persian wool is arguably the best in the world. It is lustrous and superior.

Antique rugs are often more expensive than newer rugs, but that is because of market demand and not because they are actually better.

If you want to buy a valuable Persian rug, first of all, it must be handmade. Machine made rugs lack originality, durability, charm and investment.

In other words a machine-made rug is not a real oriental rug. They are simply for covering floors. While it took at least 8 months to years for a handmade carpet to be made, it is minutes for a machine rug.

Symbols and Motifs of Oriental Rugs

Star - Spirituality, Good Luck

Star – Spirituality, Good Luck

Numbers - Signify Dates and Times

Numbers – Signify Dates and Times

Mihrab - Gateway to Paradise

Mihrab – Gateway to Paradise

Herati - Water Garden, Fish-Mahi

Herati – Water Garden, Fish-Mahi

Hand - Prayer Rug

Hand – Prayer Rug

Diamond - Signifies women. Two diamonds attached together represent a man and woman

Diamond – Signifies women. Two diamonds attached together represent a man and woman

Cross - Faith

Cross – Faith

Comb - Cleanliness

Comb – Cleanliness

Ewer, Jug - Purification

Ewer, Jug – Purification

Boteh - Flame, Universe

Boteh – Flame, Universe

Amulet - Thwarts Evil Eye

Amulet – Thwarts Evil Eye

Hyacinth Regeneration

Hyacinth – Regeneration

Pomegranate - Fertility

Pomegranate – Fertility

Leaf - Endless Regeneration

Leaf – Endless Regeneration

Cypress - Serenity, Rebirth

Cypress – Serenity, Rebirth

Tulip - Prosperity

Tulip – Prosperity

Rose - White: Innocence; Red: Passion; General: Mystery

Rose – White: Innocence; Red: Passion; General: Mystery

Blossom - Youth, Spring, Newly Wed

Blossom – Youth, Spring, Newly Wed

Peony - Power

Peony – Power

Lotus - Rebirth, Immortality

Lotus – Rebirth, Immortality

Lily - Purity, Spirituality

Lily – Purity, Spirituality

Iris - Religious Liberty

Iris – Religious Liberty

Tree of Life - Direct path from Earth to Heaven

Tree of Life – Direct path from Earth to Heaven

Paradise Bird - Paradise

Paradise Bird– Paradise

Dog - Protection, Trust, Defense

Dog – Protection, Trust, Defense

Peacock - Immortality

Peacock – Immortality

Parrot - Escaping from danger, Protection

Parrot – Escaping from danger, Protection

Duck, Swan - Marital Fertility, Enchantment

Duck, Swan – Marital Fertility, Enchantment

Eagle - Power

Eagle – Power

Bird - Faith, Fertility

Bird – Faith, Fertility

Snake - Guardian, Wisdom

Snake – Guardian, Wisdom

Dragon - Power

Dragon – Power

Chicken, Rooster - Protection from evil eye

Chicken, Rooster – Protection from evil eye

Man - Depiction of weaver in rug

Man – Depiction of weaver in rug

Camel - Wealth, Prosperity

Camel – Wealth, Prosperity

Meaning of Oriental Rug Colors

Color Meaning
Green The holy colour of the Prophet Mohammed – it’s used sparingly in places least likely to be walked on. Hope, Renewal, Life, Spring
Red Beauty, Wealth, Courage, Luck, Joy, Faith
Blue Power or Force, Solitude – Allusion to the After Life
Orange Humility and Piety
Yellow The Sun, Joy of Life
White Purity, Cleanliness
Black Usually only found in outlines. Mourning, Destruction
Gold Power, Wealth
Brown Fertility