The Language of Turkish Motifs

04/06/2022

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Eye Pattern
Earring Motif
Eagle Motif
Amulet Motif
Abundance Motif
Butterfly Motif
Chest Pattern
Hand, Finger and Comb Motifs
Plus and Hook Motifs
Dragon motif
Bird Motif
Hand on Waist Motif
Scorpion Motif
Coach Horn Motif
Hair Tie Motif
Tree of Life Motif
Star Pattern
Waterway Motif

THE LANGUAGE OF MOTIFS

Carpets and kilims since their beginning, were not created just for meeting man’s physical needs but also for his psychological wishes. Religious beliefs and ritual life enrich and develop philosophical thoughts and the soul of man. This influences both the artist and his work in various ways. Just looking at the motifs and compositions in the carpets and kilims makes this evident.

The meanings of the motives in Turkish carpet are different depending on the region. However, generally the motives symbolize religious beliefs, nobility, power and the other themes described below briefly. The language of carpets and kilims not only indicates the skill of the weaver but also transmits their messages.

MAJOR MOTIFS USED IN TURKISH CARPETS AND KILIMS

Amulet and Evil Eye

It is believed that some people possess a power in their glance which causes harm, injury, misfortune and even death. Evil eyes are various objects that reduce the effect of the evil glance, thus protecting the ones who carry them. “Muska” is a written charm which is believed to have magical and religious power to protect the possessor from dangerous external factors.

Bird

The bird motifs seen in Turkish carpets have various meanings. While birds live owls and ravens imply bad luck, doves, pigeons and nightingales are used to symbolize good luck. The bird is the symbol of happiness, joy and love. It stands for power and strenght. It is the imperial symbol of various states founded in Anatolia. The birds also refers to divine messengers and long life. The Anka bird (Phoenix) fighting with the dragon refers to spring.

Burdock

Burdock is a plant with burrs which stick to the clothing of people and the hair of animals. It is believed to be capable of warding off the evil eye. On the other hand, the fact that the term “like a burdock” means full of flowers, accounts for the use of this motif on flour bags as a symbol of abundance.

Chest

This motif in general, symbolizes the trousseau chest of a young girl. Since the objects in this chest is to be used in the husband’s house, the expactations and hopes of the young girl are reflected in the pieces she has woven knitted and embroidered.

Cross and Hook

In Turkish carpets hooks and various cross types are used frequently to protect from danger.

Dragon

The Dragon is a mythological creature whose feet are like the lion’s, whose tail is like a snake and who has wings. The dragon is the master of the air and water. The flight of the dragon and the Phoenix is believed to bring fertile rains of spring. The Dragon, believed to be a great serpent, is the guardion of treasures and secret objects as well as the tree of life.

Eagle

Eagle figures symbolizing such elements as power, might, amulets, government heraldry and charm originating from old religious traditions can be observed as totems in carpet-weaving.

Earrings

Earrings are indispensable as a wedding present in Anatolia. A girl using this motif is trying to inform her family that she wants to get married.

Eye

It is believed that some people possess a power in their glance which causes harm, injury, misfortune and even death. The eye motifs were produced because of the belief that the human eye is the best protection against evil gazes.

Fertility

Hands on hips and ram’s horn motifs used together denote a man and a woman. The fertility pattern is composed of two ‘elibelinde’ motifs indicating the female and two ‘koçboynuzu’ motifs indicating the male. The eye motif in the middle of composition is used to protect the family against the evil eye.

Fetter

It symbolizes the continuity of the family union, the devotion of the lovers and the hope that should always stay together.

Hand, Finger, and Comb

Hand, finger comb motifs including five points and five lines represents the belief that fingers are protection from the evil eye. Hand motifs combining productivity and good fortune also are a holy motive because it symbolizes the hand of the prophet Mohammed’s sister. The comb motif is largely related with marriage and birth. It is used to express the desire for getting married and to protect birth and marriage against the evil eye.

Hands on hips

Hands on hips is the symbol of motherhood, femininity and fertility.

Hair Band

Hair Band motif indicates the desire to get married. If the woman uses some of her hair in weaving, she is trying to express her desire for immortality.

Ram’s Horn

Ram’s Horn represents productivity, heroism, power and masculinity in Turish carpets. Moreover it shows that the weaver is happy and it is the expression of this.

Running water

Running water emphasizes the importance of water in human life.

Scorpion

Due to their fear of its venom, people used to carry jewellery in the form of a scorpion or decorated with the tail of a scorpion in order to protect themselves against this animal. The scorpion motif is used for the same purpose.

Star

The star motif in Turkish carpets expresses productivity.

Tree of life

It is the symbol of eternity. The life tree represents the search for immortality and the hope of life after death.

Wolf’s mouth, wolf’s track and monster’s feet

People use these motifs as a means of protection against wolves and monsters. Since ancient times men have believed that they could control and protect themselves from dangerous animals by imitating them or by creating a similar form.