The Image and Concept of Talking Tree on Handmade Carpets

The Persian carpet has invariably been a means for expression of the beliefs and traditions of various people of this country. Among various plant and animal motifs, the carpets with the motif of the "Talking Tree" which are also known as “vaq vaq”, have replaced the allegorical and symbolic representation of the decorative designs of carpets with anecdotal motifs due to their pictorial characteristics. The present research aims at achieving the visual qualities and concepts of this tree by means of a comparative study among the present works in three civilizations, i.e. Persia, India, and Middle Asia. This research was conducted on the concepts and within the field of pictorial tradition, relying on the remaining records in the culture, literature, and pictorial tradition of the carpets of Persia, India, and Middle Asia. The result obtained indicates that vaq vaq has its roots in the ancient Indo-Iranian culture. It has however adopted different meanings through the separation of the branches of this civilization. From a conceptual perspective, this tree is an image of the tree of knowledge and a picture of Kelileh va Demneh, as wisdom uttered by animals. However, as it enters eastern regions, this conceptual aspect is retained and in northwestern regions of Iran, a part of fertilization rituals and the haven of the residence of spirits create its present shape, due to a connection with the roots of shamanism remained from the Middle Asia. This decorative motif is gradually manifested in various manners since sixth AH/ twelfth AD century, as the Middle Asian tribes enter the homeland of Iran. This research was conducted using descriptive/analytical approach.