The Academic Events Group, 3rd WORLD CONFERENCE on DESIGN, ARTS AND EDUCATION

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Investigation the Metaphysics Symbolism of Omani Rug Designs
Zahra Ahmed Al-Zadjali

Last modified: 2014-02-17

Abstract


Signs are ancient beliefs which have existed since prehistoric times and can be seen in cave paintings where the first human beings lived and provide the first evidence of sign use.  Additionally, signs were used by Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, Canaanites, and other ancient civilizations of western Asia.  The ancient Egyptians used Hieroglyphs and these signs became symbols which referred to specific words or represented things so they acquired a deeper meaning which took the place of abstract ideas.   

People use symbols as well to express different meanings, ideas, feelings, emotions and excitement.  Symbols may possibly be represented in objects, letters, numbers, colours or abstract patterns; their defining characteristic is that they stand for something other than their intrinsic property (Yassen, 2006.p.41).  For instance, while there is nothing intrinsically dangerous about the colour red, it has become a symbol for danger in a number of societies, so we need to study why this colour is used as a symbol for danger.     

This study aims to illustrate the Omani Bedouin woven rug’s motifs in order to understand its metaphysics symbolism.  The Bedouin’s rug in Oman contains a group of dots, lines, abstract geometric figures as well as various colours, each of which are rich in symbolism and suggestion.  These symbols, which are represented in abstract motifs, were inherited and have taken root through generations; thereby they have become traditional among the Bedouin and appear in most of their products.

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