The Symbolism behind Baluch Rug (Chahar Morgh/four birds)

Written by Abdolhossein Ghasemnejad.

The baluch rug is a weave which due to geographical changes throughout history is produced in Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The creation of this rug goes back to centuries ago, and geographical divisions have not influenced their status. However, from a technical point of view, they fall into the Baloch category based on tribes and locations.
Sajadeh which is a rug Muslims use to sit on to practice their praying rituals is one of the most magnificent of Baloch rugs, also known as Chahar Morgh.

Description

As seen in the picture, the rug is divided into two parts light and dark colours. The light part is a square shape in the center of the pattern surrounded by dark colour part.
At first glance, four symmetrical birds (peacocks) appear facing one another in the center, with a rhombus between them. This rhombus also appears in the margins in the form of a bird’s head sitting round a pond of water. Inside the rhombus, too, there are four birds in two different colours facing one another as if afloat on water.
The dark colour part of the rug itself is divided into two sections. The section surrounding the centeral square is composed of motifs going up and down in a zigzag manner. The components of this pattern also contain two bits. One bit is of abstract motifs depicting six symmetrical birds’ heads. The other one which is symmetrical to a vertical line can be interpreted as the Life Plant or again birds’ heads in abstraction.
The second section of the dark colour part, which is in the form of a rectangular in the outer sides of the rug, also contain abstract motifs of the birds round a rhombus.

Symbolism

In general, this rug’s motifs (aquatic birds) represent a plea for rain and water. Rhombus symbolizes a pond, and the peacock is a sign of water. The other two peacocks carrying the sun are also interpreted as food abundance.

Conclusion

This rug which is used by Muslims for praying rituals is woven in essence as a plea for rain.

Gallery

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  Baluch Chahar Morgh Rug. Abdolhossein Ghasemnejad.

Bibliography

Ghasemnejad, Abdolhossein. 2023.