| |
Chinese
Unlike most
oriental rugs, the motifs on Chinese rugs do not unite in
order to create one design; they stand alone. Also, unlike
most oriental rugs, Chinese designs are very literal rather
than decorative; most motifs have very exact meanings. Some
Chinese sub-styles include Ningxia, Baodou, Gansu, Peking,
and Mongolia.
The medallion
layout tends to be very common. The medallions are usually
round with a leaf-like dragon, stylized flowers or geometric
fret designs. Sometimes they are medallion and corner, and
sometimes one or two smaller medallions similar to the middle
medallion are at each end of the field. The background is
either solid or filled with peonies and leaf-like decorations,
butterflies, birds, bats and many other symbolic motifs. All-over
layouts with different repeating motifs are also as common
as medallions. The motifs could include peonies, lotuses,
bats, or other symbolic motifs. Sometimes all-over lattices
in shapes of swastikas, clouds, squares, lozenges, and octagons
can also be seen.
Return to Top
The common border
motifs are usually geometric and include the repeating swastikas
(Chinese fret), the Greek key, the T border, the pearl border,
and the cloud band border. Minor borders are usually in solid
color.
The motifs usually
come in blue, white, and pink. Common background colors are
white, ivory, beige, yellow, pink, apricot and peach. Yellow
is frequently seen in Chinese rugs because it is a Chinese
royal color and it symbolizes power. Blue is less common,
but it is seen in newer rugs. Rugs prior to the 19th century
tend to have a light walnut background.
Return to Top
|
|
As
mentioned above most Chinese motifs are symbolic rather
than decorative. A common motif which comes in form of
a medallion or a border component is the Shou character,
which symbolizes long life. The Fu character, which is
less common, means good luck. Instead of the Fu character,
bats are frequently used to symbolize good luck. The following
are a few more common Chinese motifs and their meanings
although many more exist. |
|
Butterfly
means luck and a happy marriage. Dragon means power
and authority. Phoenix represents peace and happiness.
Peony symbolizes nobility, wealth and love. Lotus means
purity. Pomegranate is symbolic of fertility. Fish means
abundance. The Swastika pattern has several meanings
including happiness, the heart of Buddha and the number
10,000. The Chinese fret, which is created by repeating
swastikas, means 10,000 happiness, and the cloud motif
symbolizes a wish.
|
|
Return to Top
|
