What Is Armenian Carpet Weaving?

Meaning and Place in Armenian Culture

Armenian carpet weaving, called haykakan gorg (Հայկական գորգ) in Armenian, is the craft of making tufted rugs and knotted carpets. This art has been practiced by Armenians since before Christianity and continues today. It covers not only pile carpets but also a variety of flat-woven textiles, each with its own styles and subtypes.

For generations, carpets have played a key role in Armenian life. People used them not just on floors, but also on walls, beds, tables, sofas, and chairs, making homes warmer and more beautiful. Even now, Armenian carpets are found in churches, on altars, and as entrance curtains. Weaving carpets was usually women’s work and turned a daily need into a special part of Armenian culture.

These carpets are more than just decorations. They carry sacred symbols and patterns that speak about old Armenian beliefs and traditions. Weavers carefully passed down these designs, combining different styles and colors but always respecting the main traditional motifs. The wide use of natural dyes and colors is a proud feature of Armenian carpets.

Armenian Words for Carpet and Where They Come From

There are two main Armenian words for carpet: “karpet” (կարպետ) and “gorg” (գորգ). “Karpet” often means rugs without a pile, while “gorg” refers to pile carpets. Both words show Armenia’s long connection with carpet weaving.

“Karpet” comes from “kapert” (կապերտ), which is related to “kap” (կապ), meaning “knot”-a basic technique in carpet weaving. The word “karpet” is found in Armenian texts as early as the 5th century. It’s thought that the English “carpet” and French “carpette” both came via medieval trade through Armenian Cilician ports in the 13th century. Historical documents even show carpets being shipped from Armenian cities like Ayas and Sis to Florence in the late 1200s.

“Gorg” first showed up in a written Armenian source in the 1200s, carved into a church wall in Artsakh (Karabakh). Some scholars believe the word links back to ancient Hittite-Armenian words for “horse cloth”. There’s also the Persian word “qali,” which entered Turkish and Armenian and might have come from the Armenian city of Theodosiopolis (Karin/Erzerum), showing the deep roots of carpet-making in this area. The place names themselves, such as “Erzerum,” also have Armenian origins connected to the movement of people and trade.

The Beginnings and Early History of Armenian Carpets

Archaeological Finds and Ancient Practices

Armenian carpet weaving began long ago, with discoveries showing that people were making fine textiles in Armenia as early as the 7th century BC. While whole carpets from the distant past rarely survive because textiles are delicate, pieces and fragments have been found that show this was a well-developed craft long before written history.

The best evidence is the Pazyryk carpet, discovered in an ancient tomb in Siberia and now in the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. Dating from the 5th to 3rd century BC, this square, tufted carpet used the Armenian double knot, with red dye made from Armenian cochineal insects, native to the Armenian highlands. Many experts believe it is Armenian. The horse images on the carpet are like those found on Armenian monuments, and even the historian Herodotus described Caucasus-area rugs with bright, lasting colors that match this carpet. This is strong proof that Armenians were already skilled weavers in ancient times.

Progress During the Christian Period

After Armenia became the world’s first Christian state in 301 AD, carpet weaving changed to reflect Christian themes. Carpet patterns began to include crosses, church designs, and motifs from Armenian religious art and stones. The cross, with many versions, gradually became the main design, showing the country’s deep Christian roots.

By the Middle Ages, Armenian carpets were sold as far away as China. Armenian patterns-even crosses-can be seen in old Chinese paintings. Marco Polo, in the 13th century, praised Cilician Armenian carpets for their beauty and rich colors, noting that Armenian and Greek weavers in the area were respected craftsmen. This wide influence and export helped make Armenian carpets a big part of both the culture and economy.

How Armenian Carpet Weaving Changed Over Time

Effects of Important Historical Events

Carpet weaving in Armenia has changed through many difficult times. Each big historical event left its mark, influencing how carpets were made, what they looked like, and even who made them. The story of Armenian carpets mirrors the story of the Armenian people-strong and long-lasting.

Impact of the Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide, which happened from 1894 to 1923, brought great damage to carpet making, especially in Western Armenia and what is now Turkey. Although many carpets from this area were later called “Turkish,” most weavers in the Ottoman Empire were Armenian. The loss of skilled artisans after the genocide changed the tradition forever.

With so many orphans after the tragedy, some found shelter in Beirut, where workshops taught girls to weave rugs for a living. The most famous “orphan-rug,” made by 400 Armenian orphans between 1924 and 1925, took 18 months and used 4 million knots. It was given to the White House to thank Americans for their help-this rug stands as a strong symbol of Armenian creativity and determination.

Changes Under Soviet Rule

When Armenia joined the Soviet Union in 1920, carpet making became a commercial industry, moving from homes to factories. The Soviet government discouraged religious themes and encouraged mass production with dyes often provided by the state. As a result, many carpets from this period lost their unique designs and natural colors, and some even showed images of Communist leaders. Home weaving was banned, but some families continued secretly.

This push for uniformity often meant that carpets lost their traditional charm and bright artistry. The emphasis was on producing big quantities instead of high quality or uniqueness.

Recent Developments

After the Soviet Union collapsed, private carpet workshops and family businesses began again in Armenia. Weavers returned to hand-spinning wool, using natural dyes, and bringing back old patterns from churches and manuscripts. After the Nagorno-Karabakh war, making carpets also helped many displaced people find work.

Today, the tradition is kept alive in Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh, and by Armenian communities abroad. Displays and exhibitions organized by people like Hratch Kozibeyokian help teach others about the craft. Each month, Armenian workshops now send more than 10,000 square feet of carpets to Western countries, helping around 1,000 families and showing the lasting strength of Armenian carpet weaving.

Main Features and Methods in Armenian Carpet Weaving

Common Patterns, Symbols, and Elements

Armenian carpets are known for their rich designs and vivid colors. The patterns are not just for decoration-they’re filled with meaning and often tell a story about Armenian history and traditions. Popular motifs include geometric shapes, flowers, and animals. Borders and central medallions add extra detail and interest to the compositions.

These designs can show dragons (called vishaps), eagles (artsvagorgs), and many other symbols borrowed from religious art, churches, or ancient Armenian stones. After 301 AD, crosses became a common theme, although even older pagan symbols are still visible in some patterns. The “wheel of eternity,” developed from the old pinwheel, means eternal life and is a familiar sight on many carpets. Sometimes, when Christian symbols were risky to display, weavers hid them as wine glasses or other shapes.

How Armenian Carpets Are Made: Tools and Materials

Armenian weavers usually use the double knot method, also called the Ghiordes knot. This technique ties the wool or silk tightly, creating a solid and long-lasting pile. The double knot is a signature of Armenian carpets, giving them strength and texture. Flat-woven methods such as kilims are also popular and add variety.

Materials like sheep or goat wool, silk, flax, and cotton are common. Armenia’s land supplies excellent wool, natural water, and a variety of metal salts (like copper and alum) that help dyes set and last. The famous Armenian red is made from a local insect (Armenian cochineal). Companies such as Tufenkian Artisan Carpets continue old ways: hand-carding, -spinning, -dyeing, and -knotting to make sure of high quality and lasting beauty.

Carpets with Inscriptions and Well-Known Examples

Some of the most important Armenian carpets feature inscriptions. These “inscription carpets” might have dates, names, dedications, or Bible verses, and they help experts trace the carpet’s history and the people who made them. The Armenian Rugs Society has worked since 1980 to document these rugs and use them to help identify others without inscriptions.

For instance, an Armenian prayer rug from 1202 had a message from its maker, and a cross replaced by a crescent in later patterns led some to misidentify such rugs as Muslim prayer mats. The Gohar Carpet (1700), crafted by a weaver named Gohar, holds a personal prayer. Other famous examples include the oldest known Armenian carpet from Banants (early 1200s) and the “Armenian Orphan rug” of 1925 given to the White House. These examples link today’s weavers to centuries of tradition and artistry.

How Armenian Carpets Are Known Worldwide

Labels and Recognition in Other Markets

Armenian carpets have been appreciated around the world for a long time, but their true origin was often unclear in the West. The name “Armenian Carpet” has been used in English since the mid-1800s and was studied more as time went on. However, many Armenian carpets ended up sold as “Turkish” or “Persian” because those labels became more common after the Ottoman Empire and later trade with Iran. This sometimes hid their Armenian origins. Now, groups such as the Armenian Rugs Society are working hard to identify these carpets correctly and share their true background-for example, by searching for Armenian inscriptions and holding public exhibitions.

How to Tell Armenian Carpets from Others

It can sometimes be tricky to tell Armenian carpets from Turkish, Persian, or Azerbaijani rugs since Armenian culture overlaps with neighboring regions. However, Armenian carpets often use the double knot (Ghiordes knot) for a dense and sturdy pile. Designs with Christian symbols, the wheel of eternity, or special ways of coloring, such as red from Armenian cochineal, are strong signs of Armenian origin. Even during periods when Christian signs were not safe, weavers hid symbols in their patterns. Research on signed rugs has made it easier to spot Armenian styles, even in carpets without words or dates.

Main Regions and Makers of Armenian Carpets

Well-Known Carpet-Weaving Towns and Villages

Armenian carpet weaving grew in many places across the Armenian Highlands. Some famous centers include historic towns like Qali-qala (Karin/Erzerum) and Dvin, mentioned in medieval Arabic sources as the home of excellent rugs. The word for carpet, “kali/khali/hali,” is said to have come from Theodosiopolis, another old Armenian weaving center.

The Artsakh (Karabakh) region is especially famous; the oldest Armenian carpet found there comes from Banants village in the early 1200s. Other areas, such as Shirak, Nakhichevan, Sevan, and Susa, also have their own styles. These locations, often sitting along ancient trade routes, offered good wool, water, and dye ingredients, helping the craft prosper.

Current Armenian Carpet Makers

After the disruptions of the 20th century, Armenian carpet making has bounced back, with several key companies active as of 2016. These groups mix old tradition with new ideas and provide work for thousands of Armenians.

These companies, along with many small workshops, keep the Armenian carpet tradition strong and bring it to markets worldwide.

How to Tell City Carpets from Village Carpets

Design and Color Differences

Armenian carpets can typically be grouped as either “city carpets” or “village carpets.” City carpets are made in bigger workshops and tend to be very neat and careful in their design, often using set patterns and similar color batches. They have more precision, with symmetry and uniform dyeing since dyes are mixed in large amounts.

Village carpets, made at home or in smaller groups, are usually more spontaneous and reflect the weaver’s personal touch. They may show small differences in design or color, making each unique. The construction can be slightly uneven in places, adding to their charm. Village carpets often show “abrash,” or lines of color variation, which is valued by collectors and proves the rug was made with natural dyes in small batches.

Understanding Abrash (Color Changes)

Abrash is common in Armenian village carpets and refers to color shifts, usually from one batch of hand-dyed wool to another. Since hand-dyeing always varies slightly, changes show up as bars or stripes of a different shade running across the rug. This is not a flaw but proof that the carpet was made by hand using time-honored methods. It gives village carpets character and story. City carpets, made with synthetic dyes or big dye lots, show less or no abrash and have an even color throughout.

Importance and Influence of Armenian Carpet Weaving

Connection to Identity and Heritage

Carpet weaving is a core part of Armenian culture and identity. It was often women’s main job and brought meaning to daily life. Every carpet carries a record of old beliefs and family stories, with special designs like the wheel of eternity and Christian crosses linking each to centuries of tradition.

During tough times-such as the Armenian Genocide and Soviet rule-making carpets in secret became a way to protect culture and survive as a people. Now, Armenian communities in the homeland and abroad are reconnecting with these roots. Armenian carpets in museums and collections around the world show the global value and reach of this heritage.

New Generation and Renewal of the Craft

After independence, the Armenian carpet tradition has grown stronger again, with a focus on natural materials, hand work, and classic designs. Companies like Tufenkian and Megerian, as well as small family workshops, use local wool and traditional techniques to create carpets in the old way, aiming for both local and international quality.

Many young people, often women, are learning or returning to weaving. Groups like the Armenian Rugs Society teach these skills to hundreds of learners in villages, making sure the craft continues. New weavers add their own creativity, mixing old and new ideas, and ensuring that Armenian carpet making remains a living, changing tradition.

Organizations Helping Armenian Carpet Weaving

Armenian Rugs Society and Safeguarding Efforts

The Armenian Rugs Society, started in Washington D.C. in 1980, works to protect and teach about Armenian carpets. They focus on finding and recording carpets with Armenian inscriptions, building a database to help experts link designs to Armenian workshops. Their research helps clarify the history of carpets and correct wrong labels.

The Society also runs exhibitions, works with other organizations to teach weaving, and builds public understanding of Armenian carpet traditions. Thanks to their work, more people are learning the real story and craft behind Armenian carpets, ensuring their survival into the next generation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Armenian Carpets

What Makes Armenian Carpets Special?

• Double Knot: Most Armenian carpets use the double knot, making them tough, lasting, and shiny.
• Distinctive Symbols: Armenian rugs feature patterns from both old pagan and later Christian traditions-including the wheel of eternity, crosses, dragons, and eagles.
• Natural Dyes: The use of natural dyes, especially rich reds from Armenian cochineal, makes the colors stand out.
• Famous Praise: Old documents, like those from Marco Polo and Herodotus, highlight the quality and influence of Armenian carpets long ago.

Where Can You See or Buy Armenian Carpets?

• Museums: Notable carpets, like the Pazyryk, are in the Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg) and other museums worldwide. Special exhibitions or collections sometimes house rare Armenian rugs.
• Current Producers: In Armenia, makers such as Tufenkian, Megerian Carpets, Arm Carpet, Yengoyan Carpets, Jrashogh Ijevan Carpets, and The Artsakh Carpet sell handmade rugs. Their showrooms in Yerevan and abroad offer a range of traditional and modern pieces.
• Antique Dealers: Worldwide, specialized dealers and galleries may offer vintage Armenian carpets. Trusted sources are best for getting real, well-documented carpets.
• Online and Cultural Societies: Online shops and Armenian community groups sometimes organize sales or guide buyers to reputable makers.

When buying, choose trustworthy sellers who can provide clear details about where and how the carpet was made.

Are Armenian Carpets Still Handmade?

Yes, Armenian carpets are still made by hand. Even though factory weaving grew during the Soviet years, real hand-weaving survived in families. Since the 1990s, more companies and independent artisans are returning to the full process of hand-carding, spinning, dyeing, and knotting wool. This keeps the tradition alive and ensures quality. Organizations like the Armenian Rugs Society also teach the craft to new generations, helping it grow for years to come.