Ways to Interpret Some Common Symbols Found in Rugs

Handwoven rugs depict a host of rather interesting symbols. Traditional symbols on hand-woven rugs bear witness to many of the beliefs and superstitions that are held in central Asian countries where the art of weaving was born and still thrives. A pattern has three fundamental elements, a unit, repetition, and a system of an organization which can be interpreted in a curvilinear or rectilinear manner.

The patterns in the Persian rugs bought from any reputed Persian rugs wholesaler depicts designs that were made thousands of years ago and have been handed down from one generation to the next. These hand-woven rugs are unique as you won’t find two hand-knotted rugs that look the same. People from various regions – tribes, villages, cities – use different designs and materials in the construction of rugs.

Any Oriental rug design that is bought from any reputed Persian rugs wholesaler contains certain components that remain same in all the rugs:

Borders :

There are usually two borders on a rug one is the main border which is the widest section of design around the outside of the rug, while another border is the guarded border that is usually narrow and lies inside the main border.

Field : The field is the colorful background inside the borders.

Medallion : Often, rugs feature a medallion in the center of the field. The medallion is a large shape which can be round, oval or polygonal and sits prominently in the middle of the rug.

Corner brackets, quarter panels or spandrels: These are designs that fill the corners of the field.

Some Common Symbols on Oriental Rugs

Birth Motifs

Elibelinde : This symbol represents the mythological goddess of the same name and it looks like a figure of a person.

Ram’s horn : A Ram’s horn symbolizes masculinity. The central part of the design represents male fertility and power.

Life Symbols

Comb and earrings : These two symbols reflect a desire to marry. The comb is a nuptial accessory, while the earrings are a common wedding gift.

Sandikly – hope chest/ trousseau: This symbol reflects the objects that girls weave for their trousseaus before they get married. These objects include small purses, kilims, scarfs, belts, and garments.

Yildiz – stars: Stars are a symbol of happiness and a life full of hope.

Ying-Yang : This Ying-Yang holds a different meaning to that of the more common Ying-Yang. It symbolizes a balanced relationship between women and men.

Afterlife symbols

Birds : Birds symbolize the flight of the soul to heaven.

Vulture : This kind of bird is particularly important as it indicates the souls of the dead.

Tree of life : This is the most widely-known symbol of immortality.

Moroccan Rugs – Exclusive Handmade Work

Moroccan handmade carpets, or hand hitched mats, are exclusive in that each carpet is made by a different craftsman who passes on her historical legacy in her apt creation. Regularly working in cooperatives, these ladies live in provincial regions of Morocco and by and large give a very long time to taking a shot at a solitary carpet. The themes and examples of Moroccan mats can be emblematic of the family from which the weaver comes, illustrative of riches or economic wellbeing or characteristic of a specific religious conviction.

Handmade carpets usually utilize natural dyes that convert into energetic colors, making them more conspicuous accent pieces than producing carpets. With their many-sided themes and flashy colors, high quality Moroccan rugs in London will add warmth and profundity to uncover floors in any room of your home.

The characteristic colors that are frequently utilized are yellow, red, blue, green, burgundy, white and dark. The white and dark are made of sheep fleece, the blue from the indigo plant, burgundy from pomegranate, the yellow from saffron, the red is normally extricated from henna and the green is made of mint. All other dyes utilize a blend or a shade of the colors said above.

One of the benefits of utilizing normal colors in high quality mats is their durable life, which gives continuance and immortal polish. They are bits of artistic work in that they are a lifetime venture, expected to be appreciated, respected and passed on to a great many generations.

The intricate designs of every single carefully assembled mat are made utilizing at least one of three noteworthy sorts of weaving: heap weave, flat weave and hand-tufted. Heap weaves or hitched weave is the technique most utilized and comprises of making ties with yarn.in contrast, flat weave does not utilize ties in the weaving procedure, so the surface seems flat. Likewise with the flat weave, a hand-tufted floor covering is made without tying ties. In this procedure yarn or wool is pushed through an essential support, which makes the tufts. They are then stuck together, and a second and third establishment is connected to the back of the carpet. The circles of the tufts are then sheered as the last advance of the procedure. Typically, Moroccan Rugs in London utilize either a heap or level weave or a mix of the two.

There is nothing more exceptional than something handmade. Innovative utilization of shading and perplexing details are intrinsic in every single high quality floor covering. These qualities are particularly clear in Moroccan carpets. Bring one piece in order to give an elegant touch to your home with a Moroccan carpet and let the excellence of the lovely craftsmanship fill your lounge area, family room, room or corridor.

Tips to Take Care of Afghan Area Rugs

Rugs immediately make a room cozier and welcoming. The quintessential Afghan rug is made from natural materials like wool with a repeated octagonal figure on a red field. An area rug will help absorb sound, stabilize temperature and make it just a little bit easier to move around the house by giving your feet a soft landing pad. Decorating with rugs from any renowned Afghan rugs wholesaler in UK is a great way to add extra color, texture, and pattern to space. The right area rug can add a huge dose of style and color to your room but when a rug is placed on a hard floor such as wood or laminates the chances to slip or trip increases.

How to keep the area rug in place?

Place a nonstick, rubbery rug mat underneath the rug to keep it in position. Make sure that the rug mat is a few inches smaller than your rug. If the rug mat is too small then it won’t be able to anchor the rug above and if it is too large then the mat will protrude from the rug’s edges.

If the rug bunches on top of the carpet, you anchor at least one edge of the rug with furniture or try two-sided rug tape strips underneath the problem areas.

How to keep rugs in good shape?

Vacuuming– It is very important to vacuum the rug on regular basis to get rid of dust particles and maintain the beauty of the rug.

Rug Pad– You can use a rug pad as that provides a foundation for longer rug life and also prevents premature wear and tear caused by having a rug on an uneven surface.

CleaningTo avoid strains quick action is required in handling spills. For liquid spills remember not to rub as that might ruin the rug, firmly press a clean cloth to absorb as much as possible.

Shedding– Don’t get alarmed if the expensive rug bought from Afghan Rugs wholesaler in UK starts shedding. It is normal for the rug to shed for the first six months if you vacuum it daily.

Remove Creases– Reverse rolling helps to flatten rug creases with time. Give the rug some time to settle to get rid of rug creases.

Sunlight– It is important to position the rug away from direct sunlight as it causes your rug to fade over time. Rotate the rug regularly so that it fades evenly.

Three Different Types of Knots that are Common in Hand-Knotted Rugs

Hand- knotted rugs in UK are prized for their beauty, craftsmanship, and durability for centuries. Hand-knotted rugs are one of the most cherished and luxurious possessions that are passed down the generations. Only a highly-skilled Weaver is capable of creating authentic hand-knotted rugs which are considered as pieces of art.

The number of knots per square inch can start at 40 knots and go up as high as 2000 knots. An expensive and excellent rug will have about 160 knots per square inch and 400 knots-per-square-inch rug is considered remarkable. You can rarely find rugs with 1000 knots or more as they are very expensive and known for their state-of-art design.

Mainly there are two types of knots that are used by Oriental rug weavers when weaving their creations. One is the Senneh knot and the other is the Ghiordes knot but there is another knot that is not commonly used known as the Jufti knot. This Jufti knot is considered as substandard and is not used in better quality Oriental rugs.

Persian or Senneh Knot

The Senneh knot is a type of asymmetric knot or double knot that is quite popular among rug weavers in Iran, Central Asia, India, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The yard is draped around two warp strands but only one of these warps is completely encircled to create this kind of knot. The yarn is then passed open behind the adjoining warp in such a way that the two ends have only a single warp dividing them. The knot could be wrapped in either direction and are said to be open either to the right or open to the left. Rugs that have very fine detailing usually use Senneh knot.

Ghiordes or Turkish Knot

Ghiordes are single or symmetrical knots that are common among the Anatolian and Caucasian weaving groups in Turkey. Several other Turkish and Kurdish tribes in Iran also practice this type of knot in their rug making. The yarn is wrapped across two adjoining warp strands and it is then pulled back through the inside of both warps and drawn through the center so that both ends emerge from between the same warps in this kind of knot. A very secure pile construction is created by this type of knot.

The Jufti Knot

Jufti knot is very common in Khorasan. The yarn is wrapped around four warp strands at a time instead of around two strands. This technique of wrapping across 4 strands results in less number of knots per square inch. The time required to complete the rugs using the Jufti knot is also very less. The technique is detrimental to the fineness, strength, and durability of the weave, resulting in a rug that does not have the structural integrity that is expected from Hand knotted rugs in UK.

Things to Keep in Mind before Cleaning a Persian Rug

Persian rugs are valuable possessions that have been decorating our homes for thousands of years. Soft hand-woven wool Persians rugs once graced the floors of palaces but now you can own one from Persian rugs wholesalers at a reasonable price and make your home look chicer. Many consider Persian rugs as a unique piece of art that brings life to the interior decorations of a room and add comfort to make it more welcoming. It doesn’t matter how exotic your Persian rug looks but it is not spilled or stain proof. Occasional spills result in stains if not dealt with immediately.

Check the material used to make the Persian rug

Persian rugs are mainly made from wool, silk, and cotton. The material of the rug will determine the cleaning method of the rug. Persian rugs made from silk are expensive and difficult to clean at home so it is better if you take it to professional rug cleaners. Many Persian rugs wholesaler provide cleaning and repairing services so you can always avail their services with the least hassle. Rugs made from wool are most durable and can be cleaned quite easily. Cotton Persian rugs are also very easy to clean but take precaution before using harmful chemicals in it as the fabric dyes may bleed.

Consider the age and present condition of the Rug

Persian rugs are delicate antique things that are usually of high value so consider the age and condition of the rug before making it go through the rigorous cleaning process. If it is an emergency situation where the rug might get damaged then you can go to expert rug cleaning professionals to ensure the least damage to your rug.

Don’t use harsh chemicals

The most preferred way to clean a Persian rug is to vacuum the rug on both sides. In the case of spills use paper towels to soak as much liquid as possible and then use a wet rag to blot the stain. In the case of acid or alkali spill, flush with water and sponge the extra water. Use mild carpet shampoo to clean any other kind of stains and dry it thoroughly. Use vinegar, water, and mild detergent to remove coffee or pet stains.

Do you still need help cleaning the Rug?

If the rug is expensive, in poor condition, made of silk or has sentimental value for you then it is best to contact professional rug cleaners as accumulated dirt can cause structural damage to the rug. Yarash Oriental Rugs is one of the leading Persian rugs wholesalers in the UK who offers excellent cleaning, repairing and restoration services of Oriental rugs and kilims in the UK.

Feel free to contact them on 020 8800 3307 and stop worrying about your expensive rugs.