Dragon

The “Dragon” carpets are esteemed as some of the most beautiful examples of the Garabagh carpet school. They feature a unique design, often showcasing images of various mystical animals. These types of rugs were primarily woven in Garabagh, Shirvan, and Guba between the 16th and 18th centuries. Textile fragments with dragon motifs have even survived from the Ilkhanid period (13th – 14th centuries). In Azerbaijani decorative-applied art, the dragon symbolizes positive energy when depicted alone, and in Azerbaijani folk literature, it might also represent water sources. 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 is seen as a symbol of the family hearth. Several pile and flat-woven carpets from the Safavid period also depict dragon motifs.