It can be overwhelming to learn about oriental rug colors and designs when you first start. You might be tempted to walk out of a rug store because of all the different colors and materials available.
Don’t worry. Even though you might not be an expert on oriental rugs, your intuition can still guide you in making decisions about rugs. Even if your knowledge of oriental rugs is limited, there are some things you can do to help you choose the right rug for you.
Popular Materials
A rug’s pile can give consumers a good idea of its quality. A rug with a very soft pile will typically be made from finer material. This gives it a higher quality. Rugs made from lower-quality materials tend to feel rougher and have fewer knots per square foot.
Depending on the country and culture, a rug’s pile material can range from silk to wool or cashmere. While silk rugs are generally considered to be the most valuable, some wool rugs have desirable qualities that make them even more desirable than other silk rug types.
Popular Rug Designs
While many designs look very similar to one another, every oriental rug design is different. Weavers can use a variety of symbols and colors to create their unique style.
Rug Design Symbols & Meanings
Different animals and plants are common symbols used by oriental rug weavers. The symbol used in a rug’s design can vary depending on its type. A rug gift for newlyweds might have symbols that emphasize peace, love, and happiness.
While different cultures may have different meanings for different symbols, many symbols remain the same across all weaving cultures.
Most commonly used are Animals and Plants.
The crane and stag for long life, as well as the butterfly and lion for victory and divine protection, are some of the most popular animals that can be used.
There are many popular plants weavers use in designing their work, including the bamboo for wealth, honor, immortality, the Cyprus tree, the weeping willow, meditation, and purity, as well as the Weeping Willow tree and lotus.
Popular Oriental Rug Colors
Like symbols, colors can vary depending on the culture that created them. While rug-weaving societies have different traditions that influence them to use certain colors, some rugs require specific colors that are not common to their weaving culture.
Bright red colors are often associated with great joy. Black, however, is synonymous with destruction. White is associated with purity and peace; greens are associated with paradise and the holy prophet.
The History of Weaving Culture
Many weaving cultures restricted their design concepts and color palette to the materials they had at the time of rug creation. Nomadic cultures often used the natural elements that they could find to inspire their designs.
SAMAD is a top producer and importer of fine handmade decorative rugs. We cater exclusively to designers and high-end retailers. Malcolm and David Samad, brothers and business partners who immigrated from London, started their wholesale rug importers business in New York City in 1985. Our pioneering spirit and deep appreciation of our craft inspire us to continue challenging conventions and pursuing excellence.
