The Tree of Life is one of the oldest and most universal motifs in handmade rug weaving, appearing across centuries of Persian, Afghan, Turkish, and Central Asian carpet production. In rug symbolism, the tree represents the connection between earth and heaven, the cycle of life, and the abundance of nature. As a rug design, it takes many forms: a single stylized tree rising from a vase or root system and filling the field with branches, birds, and blossoms; a symmetrical garden composition with paired trees flanking a central axis; or an all-over lattice of flowering branches covering the entire field. In every version, the Tree of Life design gives a rug an extraordinary richness of detail and symbolic depth that few other motifs can match.
The rugs in this collection are hand-knotted in Afghanistan and Pakistan in a range of Tree of Life interpretations, from bold tribal versions with strong geometric branches to finely detailed workshop pieces with naturalistic floral branching. Materials are high quality wool pile on cotton foundations with natural and vegetable dyes throughout.
Tree of Life rugs work well as accent rugs, wall hangings, or as the focal piece in a room where visual interest and symbolic depth are wanted.
Every Tree of Life rug in this collection is hand-knotted, one of a kind, and ships free worldwide. For related styles with rich symbolic motifs, see our tribal rugs and our Afghan rugs collection. For prayer rugs with similar symbolic vocabulary, see our prayer rugs.
