The history of Persian rugs
The grand tradition of Persian rug making goes back nearly 2,500 years, to the rugged landscapes of what is now Iran. In this harsh terrain, tribes including the Bakhtiari, Qashqai, and Kurds initially wove rugs for warmth.
The first Persian rugs insulated their tents against cold and damp conditions. Using wool from their sheep, the nomads developed weaving techniques that produced robust and flexible rugs, suitable for their way of life.
Over time, their culture influenced their designs. Patterns and storytelling, specific to the weaver and their tribe, emerged.
For these tribes, rug making was a communal activity, with women often taking the lead. The rugs became a valuable trade item, and were exchanged between different communities.
Today, Persian rugs have only grown in value. Considered one of the finest carpets money can buy, a Persian rug can become a valuable heirloom, passing from mother to son, and on.
About green Persian rugs
The Safavid Dynasty (1501-1736) introduced a new artistic appreciation for rug making. During this time, green was established as an important part of the Persian colour palette.
These rugs, woven in royal workshops by skilled artisans, began to feature green in floral motifs, arabesques, and garden scenes.
Dark green rugs also have a special significance in Islam. The Qur'an describes the lush gardens of paradise, with some passages describing "green cushions and beautiful carpets."
The presence of greenery was a symbol of divine reward and eternal peace. As a result, green has become a colour of veneration and respect in Islamic culture.
How is the green in Persian rugs made?
All Persian rugs, from the early iterations woven in nomadic huts, to those proudly imported by KnotNCo today, are dyed exclusively with natural colours.
These dyes originate from what can be found in nature – saffron and turmeric for yellow, madder root for red, walnut hulls for brown, pomegranate rind for yellow, and so on.
Green wool rugs are made by combining rich, natural sources of blue, like indigo, with yellow sources like weld, saffron, turmeric and pomegranate rind. Persian weavers dye the wool in yellow first and then overdye it with indigo.
This layering technique allows for various shades of green, depending on the duration of each dye bath. Natural mordants like alum or iron sulfate are not only used to fix the dye to the wool, but also to influence the final shade of green, producing deeper, more muted olive greens.
In many Persian rugs, multiple green hues are combined to create an arabesque, with leaves, vines, flowers, and geometric shapes forming complex, interlocking patterns.
Explore our range of green rugs online today.
What does green symbolise?
Like all aspects of Persian rugs, green has a tangible tie to the origins of weaving. It has been considered a symbol of both spirituality and fertility, and is frequently associated with the lush gardens of paradise.
- Spirituality :
In other uses, as well as rugs, green represents peace, tranquillity, and spirituality. It is often used in the architecture of mosques, religious texts, and Islamic art.
- Life and fertility :
Green, being the colour of nature, is a universal symbol of life, growth, and fertility. In the arid and desert landscapes of the Arabian Peninsula, where Islam emerged, the sight of green was a powerful reminder of sustenance and abundance.
- Prosperity and renewal :
In Persian culture, green symbolises growth, renewal, and prosperity. A rug in this colour can be seen as a symbol of hope.
What sort of space does a green Persian rug suit?
Green rugs are an excellent choice for homes with dark wood flooring, robust furnishings, and gold accents.
Green rugs for living rooms are an excellent way to anchor a space, creating a point of separation in more open-plan homes.
Sage green rugs are also a crowd-pleasing choice, balancing masculine and feminine, as well as contemporary and vintage aesthetics.
Why choose a green Persian rug?
When it comes to Persian rugs, there are so many beautiful colours and designs to choose from, so why green?
For one, it’s a calming and relaxing colour with a rich history. It’s also a wonderful way to bring the outside in, with many Persian rugs featuring ornate, lush landscapes.
No matter what colour of Persian rug you’re interested in, KnotNCo is here to help. We are exceptionally proud of our range of green, red, and blue Persian rugs, imported directly from Iranian artisans.
Thousands of years after the first batch of sheep wool was dyed a vibrant green, KnotNCo is proud to carry on those traditions and heritage in modern Australian homes.
Beige
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Green
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