Стр. 175 - Azərbaycan xalçaları

175
The composition of this kilim with a holly red back-
ground consists of a middle field and border.
The date 1292AH appears in the upper left section of
the carpet, on the middle field. This kilim was woven
based on a Gazakh composition. Elements called zig-
zag damga (stamp) represent the main decoration of
the middle field. These elements are arranged asym-
metrically along the entire middle field. The edges
of the white and yellow motifs are surrounded with
black su (water), the navy blue motifs with yellow su,
brown motifs with light blue su, and purple motifs
with green and light blue su. Among weavers, these
kilims are called “gazmali kilim” (worth visiting).
The wide border representing the foundation of the
carpet’s border stripe is adorned with large white, red,
and yellow classic elements called kilimgulu (kilim
flower). Zigzag-shapedwhitemadakhils surround the
border on both sides. Both sides of the wide border at
the top and bottom of the carpet are surrounded with
incomplete lines called kohna su (old water), specific
to western Azerbaijani Gazakh and Karabakh carpets.
The carpet has unique color characteristics. Although
most of the colors specific to Azerbaijani carpets are
featured on this carpet, the traditional colors of this
group are clearly visible. The consistent harmony of
the colors in the middle field with the colors on the
border enhances the artistic quality of the carpet. This
carpet has very rich color shades. Although bright
contrasted colors are featured prominently, they cre-
ate pleasant feelings with their autonomy.
It is no coincidence that the background of the kilim
is red. According to ancient beliefs, the color red was
believed to be a protective sacral symbol from the
cosmos with life-giving rays and the power to pro-
tect people from ill spirits. This color is evaluated as
a protective sacral sign and is developed accordingly
in different forms of popular art. The color red is ac-
cepted as the symbol of life protecting people from
illnesses and unhappy incidents; it is believed to have
magical power. It is no coincidence that the beds and
the floor of wards for people with measles or German
measles used to be red. People used to lay red thread
or a tiny piece of red cloth on their eyes when they
shuddered. This tradition lingers among people to
this day. According to local traditions, wedding hous-
es in Azerbaijan were decorated with red kilims and
carpets and the gerdek (screen) in front of a bride’s
bed were made out of red kilims, shedde, or red silk.
Red silk curtains commonly had triangular motifs on
them. These motifs are encountered on kilims as well.
Among local weavers these motifs are interpreted as
the symbol of fertility. In ancient times and now as
well, red ribbons, shawls, or kerchiefs are tied around
the waist of a bride on her wedding day inAzerbaijan;
this is an important rite. This ceremony is repeated
three times before the kerchief is finally secured.
The religious or magic role of the color red is re-
flected in other traditions like tying things related to
weddings, such as the dowry of the bride, with a red
ribbon. In old times, the umbilical cord of a newborn
baby used to be tied with a piece of red cloth cut from
the waistband of the mother. According to the old be-
liefs of the Azerbaijani people, it is possible to come
in contact with the sky and universe through symbols
and signs. As a result of this connection, people could
obtain abundance, prosperity and wealth. To this end,
this color was interpreted as a symbol of happiness,
luck and protection from the evil eye.