Persian carpet (Pahlavi bōb[1] Persian farš فرش, meaning "to spread" and qāli) making is an ancient practice which still adorns the modern houses. Persian rugs and Persian carpets are weaved in diverse styles with intricate patterns and designs. Every rug has its own story to tell. The rug and carpet so weaved carry within themselves wonderful fables of different Persian cultures and civilizations. Thus the century old practices, cultures and lifestyles are preserved in these Persian carpets and rugs. For many people in the West, oriental carpets are synonymous with Persian carpets. This is of course not correct, but the mistake is understandable considering the influences of Persian carpet manufacturing worldwide.

As the name suggests, Persian carpets are manufactured in different parts of Iran such as Isfahan, Nain, Qum, Tabriz, Mashad, etc. The designs on the carpets are mainly floral which represents leaf, bud and flower. The tendency on the whole is naturalistic. Colors used are generally of delicate tones. They are used in perfect harmony thereby giving pleasing and elegant look to the carpets. The art of weaving and dying is inherited and carpets of all styles and sizes are made here. The Turkish speaking part of the population often uses the Ghiordes knot and the Persian speaking part uses the Senneh knot.

Types of Persian Rugs and Carpets

Persian carpets can be divided into three groups; Farsh / 'Qālii' (sized anything greater than 6x4 feet), Qālicheh (meaning rug, sized 6x4 feet and smaller), and nomadic carpets known as Kilim, (including Zilu, meaning rough carpet). The carpets manufactured in the country are often named after the area where they are made, for example Hamadan, Mashad, Kerman, Shiraz and Bidjar. The carpets can also be named after different ethnic groups like the Ghashghais.

Persian Rug Designs

Village

village
Village carpet weaving

Workshop

workshop
Typical workshop carpet weaving

Tribal

nomad
Tribal/Nomad carpet weaving