What are Moroccan rugs? All you need to know About Moroccan Rugs

August 20, 2022 10 min read

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What are Moroccan rugs? All you need to know About Moroccan Rugs

Moroccan rugs are a type of floor covering that is traditionally made in Morocco. They are usually made of wool, but can also be made of other materials such as cotton or silk. Moroccan rugs often have intricate patterns and bright colors, and are used to add a touch of flair to any room.


Moroccan rugs or vintage Moroccan rugs are typically made by hand, using a loom. The wool is first dyed, and then the individual strands are woven together to create the desired pattern. This process can be quite time-consuming, but the results are definitely worth it. Moroccan rugs are not only beautiful, but they are also built to last.


If you’re interested in purshasing one of a kind moroccan rugs online, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, it’s important to choose a rug that is the right size for your space. Moroccan rugs come in all different shapes and sizes, so you’ll want to make sure you select one that will fit well in your room.


It is also important to consider the material the rug is made of. Wool rugs are the most popular option, but if you have wool allergies or sensitivities, you may want to opt for another type of rug with synthetic materials.

Berber artisans weaving a handmade Moroccan rug in her traditional loom

What are Moroccan Berber rugs?

Moroccan Berber rugs are hand-woven rugs. They are often decorated with geometric patterns and have flat-weave ends, unlike the wavy-weave ends of Zellige or Punjabi rugs . These rugs are made from the hair of camels, Suffolk sheep, or Evenesku sheep, which are herded in the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains.

Because these rugs are handmade, they may vary slightly in color and style from piece to piece. The variations make Moroccan Berber antique rugs a highly desirable floor covering choice for interior designers and home hobbyists.


How do Moroccan rugs vary by region?

Moroccan rugs are known for their bright colors and intricate patterns. These carpets are made in a variety of materials, including wool and silk, and are therefore expensive. Naturally, due to the high quality of these rugs, they are also durable and can last for many years. These factors make Moroccan rugs a good investment. Moroccan rugs vary by region, as they are made using different materials and herded by different tribes.

The skilled artisans of Morocco have been weaving beautiful carpets for centuries. These carpets are made by the Berber people, who are indigenous to North Africa and the Sahara. The weavers usually have no formal training, but they weave the designs from memory. The nomadic people often carry their looms from one place to another.

Traditional Moroccan tribal rugs are also called Berber rugs because they are made by different Berber tribes in North Africa and the Sahara. These rugs are usually made of wool and are often used as floor coverings or blankets. The tribes of Morocco each have their own distinct style, influenced by the local plants and minerals used for natural dyes and knotting patterns, as well as the climate of the region. The ancient designs found in these antique rugs from Morocco have been passed down by generations of weavers.

Among the different rugs woven by the multiple tribes of Morocco we can mention some artisan goods from Berbers market rug collections, menu rugs with free shipping.

-Beni ourain Tribe rug exemple:

Black and White Moroccan rugs collection:

Beni ourain shag Moroccan rug, size: 6.6 x 9.6 ft / 200 x 290 cm.

https://berbersmarket.com/products/beni-ourain-shag-moroccan-rug-6-6-x-9-6-ft-200-x-290-cm

Standing photo of a handmade white Beni Ourain rug

Corner photo of a handmade white Beni Ourain rug

Photo of an upturned corner of a handmade white Beni Ourain rug

Close-up photo of a handmade white Beni Ourain rug

-Taznakht tribe, flatweave rug exemple:

 Taznakht Kilim flatweave Moroccan rug, size: 3.61 x 6.24 ft / 110 x 190 cm.

https://berbersmarket.com/products/taznakht-kilim-flatweave-runner-moroccan-rug-3-61-x-6-24-ft-110-x-190-cmStanding photo of a handmade Kilim Taznakht rug

Corner photo of a handmade Kilim Taznakht rug

Photo of an upturned corner of a handmade Kilim Taznakht rug

-Beni Mrirt tribe, rug exemple:

 Beni Mrirt shag Moroccan rug, size: 5.42 x 7.71 ft / 165 x 235 cm

https://berbersmarket.com/products/luxury-mrirt-shag-moroccan-rug-5-42-x-7-71-ft-165-x-235-cm

Standing photo of a handmade Beni Mrirt rug

-Azilal rug exemple:

https://berbersmarket.com/products/luxury-azilal-rug-handmade-moroccan-carpet-a-504-1

Standing photo of a handmade Azilal rug

What type of flooring is best with Moroccan rugs?

These rugs are hand-woven and can be of a high quality, so they should be used on hard floors that may be worth preserving. They also work well in combination with other decor styles. For example, if you have a more modern or eclectic style, try placing these rugs alongside bright white square tiles or a cream colored wall.

What are the symbols on Moroccan Berber rugs?

Moroccan Berber antique rugs have large symbolic designs that are often related to spirituality and tradition. These rugs are made using a technique known as 'Sarlacc' which is similar to the technique used in making Navajo rugs. The reason these rugs are called Moroccan is because the patterns and designs are based on those found in the Marrakesh marketplace. There are 13 pieces in all; each piece has a different symbol or meaning. When placed together, these pieces form a huge map of the cosmos .

The Universe: The center of the cosmos is represented by a sun, with two orbiting planets that symbolize knowledge and wisdom.

The Sun: The sun is a symbol of light, warmth, and happiness. When placed in the center of the cosmos, it provides light and warmth.

The Earth: The earth is a symbol of mother nature and nourishment. It is represented by a brown knot, with a red ribbon tied around it to indicate the source of blood (life) and love.

The Elements: The elements are used to symbolize different aspects of nature. They are represented by different colors and textures; for example, the blue sky is represented by a wool blue shade.

Windows of Wisdom: These represent the eyes of God. They are colored in dark brown to black to symbolize the absence of light. When the eyes are closed, it is as if wisdom is sleeping.

The Journey: The journey is a symbol of the soul's journey through life. It is represented by a series of circles with various colors; the red circles represent the desire of the soul to return to its body at the end of the journey.

The Door: The door is the most common symbol and represents the entrance to a home or place of business. It is usually orange or blue.

The Stairs: Stairs are used to symbolize the ladder up to heaven and the journey of the soul after death. They are colored in white, brown, and black.

The Water: Water is used to symbolize the محبة (love) and mercy of God. It is represented by a crystal clear water knot, with a navy blue shade for the lake.

The Path: The path is used to symbolize the way of devotion and the meaning of taking one's own life. It is represented by a series of parallel lines, in red, white, and black.

The Well: A well is used to symbolize the clean water of spirituality. It is represented by a deep blue well knot, with a navy blue shade for the lake.

The restaurant: The restaurant represents affluence and prosperity. It is represented by a gold coin knot, with a green shade for the table.

The Traveler: The traveler is used to symbolize a journey of the soul after death. It is represented by a series of gray circles, with a white highlight to indicate the soul's destination.

The Breeze: The breeze is used to symbolize the arrival of a soul into the afterlife. It is represented by a green and gold palette, with an orange highlight to indicate the direction of the wind.

The Love: The love knot is used to symbolize the unification of man and woman in marriage. It is represented by a red and white palette, with a navy blue highlight to indicate the beauty of the couple.

The Children: The children represent the knowledge of the past and the learning from one's mistakes. It is represented by a set of wooden blocks, with a small toy in each block. When the toys are pushed around the board, a pattern emerges resembling a map of Europe.

The Book: The book represents knowledge and reading. It is represented by a set of tweezers, with a book on each tweez. When the book is opened, it reveals a beautiful painting of a rose.

The Skull: The skull is used to symbolize death and the end of life. It is represented by a simple white funeral urn.

The achievements: The achievements represent success in different areas of life.

How can you tell if a Moroccan rug is authentic?

The authentic Moroccan rug is a treasured piece of furniture in many Moroccan homes. It is used for both indoor and outdoor settings, and is therefore exposed to a variety of different environments. Therefore, it is important to be able to identify an authentic rug from a fake one .

Some of the characteristics of authentic Moroccan rugs that make them stand out from the others are:

- The center of the Berber rug is usually darkly shaded.

- The borders of the Berber rug are tightly woven.

- The pile of the Berber rug is usually short and dense.

- The Berber rug is always hand-knotted.

- Weavers Always use natural dyes, also sometimes recycled materials. and they wash the rugs with natural laundry detergent.

If you are unsure whether your rug is genuine or not, it is advisable to contact a professional dealer in rugs to help you identify the true value of your rug.

What are the different types of Moroccan rugs?

Moroccan rugs are made using a technique known as "woven alchemy". This technique combines techniques from knitting, weaving, and knotting to create a unique patterning on the rug .

There are several different types of Moroccan rugs:

- Naskh (meaning "square" in Arabic): These are the most common type of Moroccan rug. They are square or rectangular in shape, and are usually made using hand-spun yarns with glossy surfaces. The word "naskh" refers to the fact that the pattern is made up of four interlocking squares.

- Khalfa (meaning "palm tree" in Arabic): These types of rugs are made using a technique similar to that of the naskh rug. However, the khalfa is slightly bigger in size, and is usually made using hand-spun yarns with rough surfaces.

- M'Salla (meaning " translated " as "mosque"): These types of rugs are made using a looped back technique, similar to that of the kirmanjih . However, the m'Salla is slightly bigger in size, and is usually made using hand-spun yarns with rough surfaces.

- Tufted: These types of rugs are made using a looped back technique, similar to that of the kirmanjih . However, the tufted rug is bigger in size, and is usually made using finer yarns with smooth surfaces.

- Kufi (meaning "cub" in Arabic): These types of rugs are made using an extremely tightly woven technique, which makes the rug dense and short. Because of this, the pile of the rug is usually low, and it is best used as an undercoat on a solid floor.

- Shaggy: These types of rugs are made using a loosely woven technique, which gives the rug a plush feel. Because of this, the pile of the rug is usually high, and it is best used as an underneath rug on an open floor plan.

- Sukhna (meaning "sweater" in Arabic): These types of rugs are made using extremely loosely woven yarns, which makes the rug soft and thick. Because of this, the pile of the rug is usually high, and it is best used as an underneath rug on an open floor plan.

- Medallion: This type of rug is similar to the shaggy rug, except that the pattern is made up of small motifs that are arranged in a triangular shape.

- Rayon: This type of rug is made using fine fibers that are twisted together to form a yarn. The Rayon rug is soft and light, and is usually used as an underneath rug on an open floor plan.

- Twist: This type of rug is made using tightly woven fibers that are twisted together to form a yarn. The Twist rug is thick and heavy, and is usually used as an underneath rug on a hard floor.

- Herringbone: This type of rug is made using loosely woven fibers that are twisted together to form a yarn. The Herringbone rug is soft and thick, and is usually used as an underneath rug on an open floor plan.

- Golfer's: This type of rug is made using loosely woven fibers that are braided to form a yarn. The Golfers rug is soft and thick, and is usually used as an underneath rug on an open floor plan.

- starve : This type of rug is made using tightly woven fibers that are twisted together to form a yarn. The Starve rug is thick and heavy, and is usually used as an underneath rug on a hard floor.

- assassination : This type of rug is made using tightly woven fibers that are twisted together to form a yarn. The Assassination rug is thick and heavy, and is usually used as an underneath rug on a hard floor.

- Kheir : This type of rug is made using tightly woven fibers that are twisted together to form a yarn. The Kheir rug is thick and heavy, and is usually used as an underneath rug on a hard floor.

Where do authentic Moroccan rugs come from?

Moroccan rugs are among the most coveted and expensive rugs in the world. We talk about their origins, how they are made, and why people want them.
The origins of Moroccan rugs date back to the 16th century, when Cleopatra I of Egypt ordered opium for her palace. The wool of the resulting felted shaggy rug is said to have come from a sheep that was sacrificed during the making of the rug. In the early 20th century, King Hassan II of Morocco purchased several hundred pounds of handmade red velvet from a Parisian manufacturer. The rug was a gift from the ruler of Algeria to Hassan, and it was made with an attractive patterned weft in mind. However, Hassan felt that the red color of the velvet did not suit his palette, and he had the weft unraveled and reweft with a more neutral color. The modified Moroccan rugs became known as the Hassan II.

The K Alzayed rug, on the other hand, is thought to have originated in the 13th century from the Al-Zayat tribe of Southern Morocco. It is made using a coarse twined weft and original badger hair. These rugs are normally red, but black and other colors are available.

The main colours and motifs of the Moroccan rug are the zellige and errlil patterns. The zellige pattern, which means "lloose" in Arabic, is made by weaving the weft thread over and over the warp thread. The weft is wrapped over the top of the warp, making the zellige pattern appear as if it is floating. In the zellige pattern, the reds and violets are generally irregular in shape and size.

The errlil pattern, which means " Thunderbolt " in Arabic, is made by repeating symmetrical figures called "garb" throughout the rug. Garb are pieces of material that are alternately colored with red and violet.

Designers Secrets to Selecting and Styling the Perfect Rug

Rugs can be an essential part of home decor as a piece of traditional or modern art, adding both colours, pattern and warmth to spaces where only rugs can. If you are looking for designs that fit perfectly into your home decor or want to know how to select the perfect Moroccan rug, this article is for you. In this article, we had looked at the key factors to consider when selecting a Moroccan rug.


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