Moroccan Rugs Tell a Story | They Are More About Symbolism

A Quick Guide to Moroccan Rugs Symbolism | Every Rug Has A Story

Lacking a written language, ancient Berber weavers incorporated ancestral myths into their textiles using archaic images and symbols. Berber tribes living hundreds of thousands of years ago are considered by some anthropologists to represent a last pristine link to distant human origins. While living in complete isolation, Berber tribes took the time to preserve their cultural personality by weaving stories and ideas into their textiles for generation after generation. Even today, we recognize and understand these images simply because they summarize all our lives: birth, death and the distinct roles of men and women in society.

Woven by members of several Berber tribes living in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains, Beni Ourain rugs are made with top-grade wool taken from sheep raised and herded by the Berbers. Since each tribe prefers certain colors, Beni Ourain rugs can often be traced back to a particular tribe. Natural dyes used in coloring wool include indigo, henna and cochineal. Berber women incorporate elements into their rugs reflecting daily life experiences, such as rural scenes, religious beliefs, birth, femininity, animals and natural flora and fauna. The hints of dyes that make their way into the rug’s motifs and fringes have their own tale to tell. Colors vary from hues of blue, red, orange, yellow and green. In Berber culture, the color red symbolizes strength and protection, blue symbolizes wisdom, yellow represents eternity and green stands for peace.

Different Types of Berber Moroccan Rugs

• Azilal
• Flat-woven Kilim
• Beni Ourain (Beni Ouarain)
• Beni M'Guild
• Beni Mrirt
• Rehamna
• Boujad
• Ait Bou Ichaouen
• Talsint
• Boucherouite (Rag Rugs)
• Handira Wedding Rugs & More

For more information on antique rugs Dallas please browse our website and feel free to contact us with any questions.