The Rug Thread

Thanks guys, please share photos on this thread when you are ready.

I would like to celebrate this Kurdish prayer rug, in Arabic sajjāda, in Persian namāzlik.

These rugs are not unique to Kurdish people, but found across the Islamic world in many patterns. However, the principles are usually the same. Since the birth of Islam these precious personal possessions would have been carried everywhere by nomadic tribes.

Incidentally, kilims predate Christianity and Islam, in fact woven textiles across the globe have been in existence even longer.

Kurdish identity and tradition has diminished for decades maybe centuries now. A stateless people dispersed across the globe who’s home originate in a region between modern day Turkish, Syrian, Iranian and Iraqi borders.

Typically, the asymmetric design within the central field represents the mihrab arch which should be pointing toward the Qibla Makkah Kaaba during prayer.

I can only assume other possessions on the hoof would include a portable compass and an astrolabe, these early inventions to establish location/direction/time. Also without the benefit of the call to prayer (adhan) from the minaret of a mosque located in villages, towns and cities.

The daily obligatory prayers collectively form the second of the five pillars in Islam, observed five times every day at prescribed times. These are;

Fajr (observed at dawn),
Zuhr prayer (observed at noon),
Asr (observed late in the afternoon),
Maghrib (observed at dusk),
Isha (observed after sunset)

Ram Horn Motif Border looks like a Star Wars TIE fighter

In many cultures, a ram horn was used as a wind instrument that was blown by men to summon people together. As a motif, it represents masculinity, power, fertility and heroism, and it is sometimes believed that women who weaved ram horn motifs on rugs, wished for such qualities in their future husband.

Wolf Mouth motif
within the second border are symbols of protection.. protecting the flock against wolves

Tree of Life
within the central field filled with symbolic references, cluster of crosses for protection, male / female symbols for fertility, icons of dowry chests, i am guessing or wealth related motifs. this is the journey or path from earth to heaven.

I find it endlessly fascinating, the study of compositions like this. The culture, heritage, hopes, fears, dreams, all illustrated during a time of worship.

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