One of the most beautiful aspects of handmade traditional Persian rugs and carpets is the design. Whether intricate and elaborate or simple and subtle, Persian rug designs are highly admired by buyers and rug weavers alike for their beauty and important symbolic meaning.
Each pattern on a Persian rug is not just an image that “looks nice” – it is far more than that. The elements of a design also hold important cultural and/or religious meaning. For example, let’s discuss the tree of life.
The Tree of Life, or Derakhti
The tree of life, also referred to as derakhti, is a prevalent symbol that appears on Persian rugs. As a tree that boasts many branches (although those that appear on nomadic rugs may only have one with leaves), it is one of the oldest patterns used and can be found on rugs of antiquity.
For Persians, the tree of life represents immortality and the link between earth and heaven. Other traits that this may symbolize also include health, wealth, longevity and humanity. It is a symbol that is profoundly spiritual and dates back to Ancient Egyptian times.
Persian rugs may feature a single tree of life with branches stretching across the entire rug, or many trees in a repeated pattern. Weaving centres in Iran that commonly produce rugs featuring this symbol include Tabriz and Isfahan, although these towns are far from being the only ones. The kilims of nomadic groups also use derakhti, creating more abstract versions.
The rug pictured is a traditional Persian rug from the Qum region (Rug Code: 352n1195). It is 6.8′ x 4.3′, handwoven with a soft Kurk Wool pile and cotton base. For more information, please visit our Persian handmade rug gallery.
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