Dragon

The design of these earrings draws inspiration from the motifs found in historical Azerbaijani rugs known as “Ajdahaly” or “Khatai.” These rugs were predominantly woven in Karabagh and possibly in Shirvan and Kuba as well, between the 16th and 18th centuries. Dragon motifs date back to the Ilkhanid Period (13th-14th centuries), with some textile fragments preserving this imagery.

The renowned “Dragon & Phoenix carpet” from the Meiser Collection, currently housed in the Berlin Museum, symbolizes the divine’s immortality and the triumph of eternal life. The phoenix, soaring above the “S”-shaped ‘divine’ dragon, represents potent and auspicious powers. This rug is believed to have been crafted by the Karakoyunlu – Akkoyunlu tribes in the 15th century, possibly in Nakhchivan or Kazak.

In Azerbaijani decorative arts, the dragon motif on its own symbolizes positive energy. It may also represent water sources in Azerbaijani folk literature. In ancient Turkic mythology, the dragon, known as “Büke” or “Evren,” symbolizes might and power. It is believed, particularly in mountainous Central Asia, that dragons still inhabit the Tian Shan/Tengri Tagh and Altay ranges. Historical sources mention the “Dragon City” of the ancient Huns. Several pile and flatwoven carpets from the Safavid Period also feature dragon motifs.