Getting to know the vocabulary and specialized terms related to handwoven carpets is necessary for people who are interested in this field. Also, to introduce this valuable art to the world, we tried to prepare this encyclopedia and make it available to you dear ones. This encyclopedia helps to get clear concepts. If you are thinking of buying an Iranian handwoven carpet or are interested in learning more about it, this exciting resource is for you. So, join us to learn about the world of incredible hand-woven carpets.
Warp: The warp is a set of threads that are stretched on the loom before the weaving begins. The warp thread can be cotton, wool or silk.
Weft: All threads that are used in the width of the rug are called weft. Weft is usually made of cotton
Double-weft rug(Loole-baft): Carpets that have two thin and thick wefts. Most urban carpets in Iran are double-weft.
Single-weft rug(Takht-baft): Carpets that have a relatively thick weft. Most rural Iranian carpets are single-weft.
Eslimi: Arabesque or Eslimi  is a type of pattern that includes complex lines or circular arcs. This design with short branches and leaves is used in inscriptions and decorations.
Pile: It is obtained by tying wool or silk fibers on the warp and weft and shows the pattern of the carpet.
Loom:Â It is a device used to weave rugs. The loom can be vertical or horizontal.
Comb:”Daftin” or comb is a metal device, used to lay down thick and thin wefts in carpet weaving. This tool is used to beat and tighten knots.
Biodegradable rug:Â Rugs that are made with environmentally friendly materials and are easily decomposed are biodegradable.
Sustainable rug: Rugs that are produced from sustainable raw materials. Raw materials are usually natural and renewable fibers such as wool and jute. These rugs are biodegradable.
Wool: It is a fiber obtained from animals such as sheep, goats, and camels. Most of the handwoven carpets are made from sheep wool.
Jute: Jute is obtained from native plants of the Indian subcontinent. Jute fibers grow over the years and consist of cellulose and lignin.
Silk: It is a natural protein fiber that is produced by the larvae of insects such as silkworms. Natural silk is expensive and graded. Iran’s exquisite carpets are woven from first-class silk.
Cotton:Â Cotton is a soft and fluffy fiber obtained from natural plants. Cotton is pure cellulose and has a small percentage of fat, water, and wax.
Handmade rug: It is also called hand-woven rug or hand-knotted rug. These carpets are woven by skilled weavers with natural fibers such as wool and silk.
Machine-made rug: Rugs that are woven with artificial fibers by large machines. These carpets are cheap and have a short lifespan.
kurk: Soft and delicate wools obtained from combing animal hair are called on the comb.
Golu-Bulbul: It is the flower and nightingale design that is inspired by traditional Iranian images.
Hunting scene(Shikargah): It is one of the most authentic Iranian carpet patterns that refers to the tradition of hunting. In this design, you can see different animals from deer to bear that are being hunted.
Simorgh: It is the most wonderful bird in Iranian literature, which plays an important role in the stories of the Shahnameh. Simorgh represents resurrection and life after death.
Eslimi-Khatai: There are patterns that are drawn with curved lines. They are also called rotating motifs.
Shah-Abbasi flowers: It is one of the original and old designs of Iranian carpet. This pattern reached its peak during the Shah Abbas Safavi era. The Shah Abbasi flower is used in Khatai-Eslimi design.
Lachak-Toranj: It is one of the most popular Iranian carpet designs. Lachak-Toranj design refers to the map of Iranian gardens. Iranian gardens are a symbol of heaven.
Lachak: Lachak means corner in Iranian culture. It is a symbol of other ponds in the garden, a quarter of which is placed in the design.
Toranj: The symbol of Iranian garden is the pond, which is decorated with leaves of Eslimi-Khatai and Shah-Abbasi. Toranj is usually designed in circular, oval or geometric form.
