A Brief History of the Birds of Paradise Design

There was a time when the design of an Oriental rug told, with some degree of certainty, the country and city, or the village or district where the rugs were woven. That is only partially true today. Persian, Oriental and Indo cultures love gardens. It is their Paradise. Many Persian, Oriental and Indian rugs showcase gardens. They depict many types of flowers and trees even hedged in with borders. Some may represent orchards and fields of flowers. Birds and animals are often found in their carpets. Many flowers can be recognized such as the tulip, the rose, the narcissus, the flower of henna, pinks and many others.

The rosette, which is used so much in the borders of Persian rugs, is believed by some to represent the "Star of Bethlehem" or Persian flower. Birds are symbolic of the miracle of flight and the potential for freedom from our human boundaries, indicating the possibility to see from a greater perspective. They also symbolize man's innate striving for freedom of consciousness and the boundless joy of the heart.

Sources and inspiration: Bérinstain, Valérie, et al. L'art du tapis dans le monde (The art of carpets in the world). Paris: Mengès, 1996. Print.; Jerrehian Jr., Aram K.A. Oriental Rug Primer. Philadelphia: Running Press, 1980. Print.; Herbert, Janice Summers. Oriental Rugs, New York: Macmillan, 1982. Print.; Hackmack, Adolf. Chinese Carpets and Rugs, Rutland and Tokyo: Tuttle, 1980. Print. ; De Moubray, Amicia, and David Black. Carpets for the home, London: Laurence King Publishing, 1999. Print.; Jacobsen, Charles. Oriental Rugs A Complete Guide, Rutland and Tokyo: Tuttle, 1962. Print.; Bashir, S. (n.d.). Personal interview.; Web site sources and dates of consultation vary (to be confirmed). Without prejudice to official usage.