Identification and classification of WakWak tree motifs in the Iranian carpets of 10th 13th centuries (A.H.)

The motif of “talking tree” or WakWak tree, derived from the stories and tales of different lands, has appeared in various shapes in artworks. This motif is the source of Wakdecorative motifs that depictcombinations of mythicalandreal creatures’ heads with arabesques and sprays, well known as one of the primary motifsof Iranian carpetsdepicted in different patterns such as medallion, corner, tree, etc. These patterns are evolved from talking tree and Wak tree that can be foundin the carpets of 10th-13th centuries (A.H.) in four categories. This article is aimed at exploring and understanding the different manifestations of this decorative motif and its structural and formal characteristicsin the carpets of 10th- 13thcenturies. The research questions developed in this article include what types of Wak patterns may be found in the carpets of 10th-13th centuries (A.H) andwhat are the various styles of their design, painting and connections. The research has been carried out through gathering published material and observation, using descriptive and analytical methods. We also classified and analyzed the common patterns in most of the carpets including the humans’, dragons’ and demons’ heads to clarify the connections and structural characteristics of variousmanifestationsofWak motif. We concluded in this project that the frontal representation of demons’ headsare always present in the form of humans or animals while the humans’ headsare drawn more naturally and from two views, and the dragons’ heads are also drawn in combination withother creatures like snakes and crocodiles.