Dragon

The “Dragon” carpets are regarded as some of the most beautiful examples of the Garabagh carpet school. They boast a unique structure and often feature images of various mystical animals. 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 symbolizes positive energy when used alone. It may also represent water sources in Azerbaijani folklore.

In ancient Turkic mythology, dragons such as “Büke,” “Evren,” “Kök-luu,” and “Abyrga” symbolize might and power. Some historical sources mention the “Dragon City” of the ancient Huns. In Kipchak culture, the “Begsha” dragon was seen as a symbol of the family hearth. Various pile and flat-woven carpets from the Safavid period also feature dragon motifs.