Dragon

The “Dragon” carpets are regarded as some of the most beautiful examples from the Garabagh carpet school. They feature a unique design, often showcasing images of various mythical creatures. These types of rugs were primarily woven in Garabagh, Shirvan, and Guba between the 16th and 18th centuries. Some textile fragments with dragon motifs have survived from the Ilkhanid period (13th – 14th centuries). In Azerbaijani decorative arts, the dragon image, when used alone, symbolizes positive energy and may also represent water sources in Azerbaijani folklore. In ancient Turkic mythology, dragons like “Büke,” “Evren,” “Kök-luu,” and “Abyrga” symbolize might and power, with some historical sources mentioning the “Dragon City” of the ancient Huns. In Kipchak culture, the “Begsha” dragon was seen as a symbol of the family hearth. Several pile and flat-woven carpets from the Safavid period also feature dragon motifs.