While weaving carpets women express their feelings, wishes, hopes and emotions. They do that by using special symbols and colors. Some of these symbols can trace back to pre-historic periods while some are produced by creative women. Most of the motifs on the Anatolian carpet had been brought to Anatolia via migration of Turkish tribes from Central Asia where the mother land of Turks. Here is the meanings of some the frequently used motifs on carpets. Dragon: Originated in the Far East, represents a mythological creature believed to be the master of air and water. The dragon is the symbol of power, force and might for its ability to produce flames from its mouth and supernatural appearance (multi-headed, multi-legged, multi-tailed, etc.).It is also the guard of the life tree. Scorpion: Scorpions are in effect a natural disaster for nomads. They often break into the tent, their sting is very painful and may sometimes be deadly. A scorpion motif woven into a carpet symbolizes the instinct of protection against this animal. In the belief of nomads, a scorpion cannot approach a carpet it there is such a motif on it. The scorpion is also a symbol of “pride and liberty”. Hence a scorpion surrounded by fire commits suicide by stinging itself when it realizes that the circle of fire is insurmountable. Tree of Life: It is a big, tall tree which is believed to have grown out of the center of the world, living for centuries, knowing the secrets of the world, and being close to the universal powers. It is a tree, which is regarded as the stairs of human journey from underground to the sky, its roots grasping the world and its branches hosting the birds of paradise. Denoting the life and death, the Tree of Life is often woven into carpets as an Anatolian motif. The birds on its branches also denote the birds of life that will fly away when the time comes. It is believed that after death spirits come to the branches of this tree to enjoy endless happiness. Peacock - Bird of Paradise (Phoenix): The plant which produces Soma, the Water of Life is brought to Anatolia by the Phoenix: This imaginary bird has long, red and golden hair. At the end of its life, it burns itself by setting fire to its nest built on the branches of spring trees. Thus a new Phoenix comes to life. It is, therefore, a symbol of immortality and rebirth. In Islamic mysticism, being invisible, it symbolizes the soul as liberated from the body and the material weight of the world. Wolf’s Mouth and Monster’s Feet: It is a symbol woven by nomads for protection against wild animals they frequently encounter in nature. Human Being: A woman weaver often weaves herself, her family or a member of her family into her carpets, such as husband and wife or mother and daughter figures, and this usually represents the weaver’s expectation of a child. Eye: The most effective precaution against the “eye”, which is regarded to be the guilty of harmful and fatal looks, so-called “evil eye” is nothing but the “eye” itself, and it is symbolized in a spot of eye placed in the center of the holy color of blue. It is usually woven inside a triangle, square, quadrangle, equilateral quadrangle (sometimes divided into four with a cross) or underneath a sharp eyebrow. Stars: A hexagonal star denotes universal as well as human mysteries. A pentagonal star in flames is the emblem of genius. A dodecagonal star, due to its holiness, has often denoted Venus on Seljuk-Ottoman decorations and even coins. Venus is a symbol of goodness and renewed life, while an octagonal star denotes the line of life from birth to death. Hair Band: This motif is frequently woven with a view to expressing desire for marriage. Earring: It symbolizes marriage wishes. Ram’s Horn: It is a symbol of power, force, health and happiness; it also denotes man’s fertility and the power of giving life and protection. Carpets that are decorated with ram’s horn tend to denote a man’s rather than a woman’s world. A spiral profile of a ram’s horn symbolizes infinity and the route followed by the soul as it goes to infinity. Hands on Hips: Mothers are usually denoted with a “hands on hips” motif on carpet. Motherhood is not only identified with fertility but is also a symbol of such sacred duties as giving life to children and protecting them. The “hands on hips” motif woven to denote fertility, today symbolizes the carpet weaver woman. The fact that the woman identifies herself with this motif is an indication of such ideas as fertility, giving birth too many children, productivity of animals and plants, and abundance at home.