Symbols
Persian Symbols:
Below is just a sampling. To see more Persian symbols please view our Facebook album by clicking here.
ROSETTE
A circular arrangement of motifs radiating out from the centre medallion suggesting the petals of a rose. The Rosette design is often found in Nain rugs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/
LOTUS
Rebirth & Immortality,Purity
The lotus was of great significance to many ancient cultures, and in particular to the Eastern religions. From ancestral times, the lotus regularly appears as a symbol of purity, peace, transcendence, enlightenment, rebirth, beauty, and fertility.
The idea of enlightenment is symbolized by the life cycle of the sacred lotus plant because it begins its life humbly in the mud of ponds but soon grows and sends stems and flowers well above the surface of the water (up to 50cm), thus showing the path of spiritual unfoldment.
DIAMOND
Signifies Women
Two diamonds attached together represent a man and woman.
This symbol’s meaning dates back to prehistory and is also believed to be the stylized representation of a pregnant woman.
BIRD
Faith, Fertility, Paradise
Symbolizing flight, freedom and the associated concept of good news brought from far away.
MIHRAB
Gateway to Paradise
Is a semicircular niche in the wall of a mosque that indicates the qibla; that is, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca and hence the direction that Muslims should face when praying.
http://en.wikipedia.org/
CHICKEN, ROOSTER
Dawn of a New Day, Fresh Start, Sexual Prowess
For more on the importance of the chicken in ancient culture you may look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/
LAMP
Faith
Lamp design which appears on the prayer rugs symbolise the divine guidance and the light showing the true path. This also represents the God who is depicted as the light of the Heaven and earth. The lamp is suspended from the summit of the niche.
BUTTERFLY
Happiness
The butterfly is, for the Eastern understanding, not, as it is for the Western, a symbol of instability and fluttering mind but rather a symbol of the most faithful love, which is oblivious of itself and sacrifices itself.
LION
Power or Victory
More information on the influence of the Lion on Persian culture can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/
HERATI
Water Garden, Fish - Mahi
The Herati design derives its name from the town of Herat, now Afghanistan, which was part of Persia until the last Century. It is composed of a single floral head within a diamond framework flanked by four outwardly curling leaves. It is sometime referred to as the mahi or fish in the pond design.( mahi being the Persian word for fish) because many traditional sources have cited this as its symbolic origin. In Persian mythology the world was supported by four swimming fish.
Afghan Symbols:
Below is just a sampling. To see more Persian symbols please view our Facebook album by clicking here.
'Gul' is Farsi for flower and is normally used to describe these octagonal, all over or repeated patterns.
'Gul' is Farsi for flower and is normally used to describe these octagonal, all over or repeated patterns.
This pattern is made up of repeated daisies interlinked by diamond (often curved) or circular lines.
