Persian rugs sometimes have weird names. Or that is the way it seems to us here in the United States. I think the names just make the rug seem more exotic.
The fact is that these rugs are named according to the city or tribe they are created in. That sounds too easy and uncomplicated to me, but that is what they say.
The most popular Persian rugs are:
Afshar Rugs: These are usually smaller in size. They are designed with a geometric pattern. Common designs include: Multiple connected medallions in diamond shape, All-over gul farangi (roses), botehs, and chicken-like motifs (Afshar-e-Morghi). The colors used in these rugs include dark red, reddish brown, brown, dark reddish-blue, dark blue, burnt orange, ocher, and camel. This type of Persian rug is usually made with wool but it is also common for cotton to be used in some of these Persian rugs.
Tabriz Rugs: These rugs are usually made with a curvilinear design but a geometric design is used also. The symmetric (Turkish) knot is common in this type of Persian rug. It is created with numerous colors used in one rug. The overall color effect is usually pastel. Common colors used include pink, peach, camel, beige, and ivory. This particular type of Persian rug is usually made with a silk and wood pile foundation and with silk highlights.
Kashan Rugs: The majority of these rugs are made with a curvilinear pattern. The common background colors include navy, rich red, beige and ivory. The colors used in the pattern include red, blue, turquoise, beige, white, brown and green. An elongated diamond and medallion shaped pattern is usually used.
Kerman Rugs: Again, these rugs are usually curvilinear in design. Designs that are traditional to this type of Persian rug include all-over floral, boteh, stripes, paneled garden, prayer, vase, garden, hunting, animal, and pictorials using both European and Persian themes. The colors typically used are rich red, red-blue, lime green, pink, ivory, gray-blue, turquoise, orange, champagne and beige.
Baluch Rugs: These are hand-woven rugs. The nomadic people of the Baluch tribe in southern Iran weave these rugs. They follow an ancient Persian tradition that dates back 2500 years. These Persian rugs are made with a unique overall pattern. Common colors include rich burgundy with some navy and ivory.
Shiraz Rugs: These rugs are hand-woven in Shiraz in Central Iran. They have plain color schemes and are simply done. Common designs include geometric motifs, small animals and plants. They are usually made with
2 colors, red being the main color.
Wiss Rugs: These Persian rugs come from the village of Wiss, which is near Hamedan in Iran. They are also handcrafted. Traditional dense floral patterns with vases, foliage, palmettes, and garden elements are the most common designs for these rugs. A dark shade of red or burgundy is the most common color used. These are similar to Arak and Tabriz designs.
These are just a few examples of the different Persian rugs that are available. Each rug has its own unique story woven into its designs and patterns.