skip to content

What's the Difference Between Persian and Oriental Rugs? Unraveling the Rich Tapestry of Traditional Weavings

When it comes to exquisite traditional rugs, Persian and Oriental rugs are often celebrated for their intricate designs and superb craftsmanship. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there are distinct differences between them that are rooted in their origins, design, and crafting techniques.

Origin and Definition

  • Persian Rugs: Persian rugs originate from Iran, the country historically known as Persia. These rugs are known for their rich history that dates back thousands of years, deeply intertwined with the cultural heritage of Iran. Persian rugs are crafted using specific techniques passed down through generations and are often made in areas with a long-standing reputation for rug making like Tabriz, Kashan, and Isfahan.
  • Oriental Rugs: Oriental rugs refer to a broader category that includes all hand-knotted rugs from the "Orient" or the East, which encompasses parts of Asia including China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Turkey, and other countries. Thus, all Persian rugs are Oriental rugs, but not all Oriental rugs are Persian.

Design and Patterns

  • Persian Rugs: Persian rug designs are often characterized by intricate floral motifs, medallions, and an extensive use of curvilinear patterns. The designs can vary significantly depending on the region they are from, but they frequently feature a central medallion and a border reflecting floral motifs or tendril patterns.
  • Oriental Rugs: Oriental rugs may include geometric, pictorial, or medallion designs and often incorporate a wider variety of motifs influenced by the cultural, tribal, and national characteristics of the different regions they originate from. For instance, Turkish rugs (a type of Oriental rug) are known for their geometric and tribal patterns while Chinese rugs often feature symbolic motifs like dragons and bamboo.

Materials and Construction

  • Persian Rugs: Traditionally, Persian rugs are made with natural fibers like wool, cotton, or silk, and they utilize the Persian (or Senneh) knot, which allows for more intricate and dense weaving.
  • Oriental Rugs: Oriental rugs can also be made from a variety of materials including wool, cotton, silk, and nowadays, synthetic materials. The type of knot can vary; for example, Turkish rugs typically use the Ghiordes or Turkish knot, which differs from the Persian knot in its structure and appearance.

Cultural Significance

  • Persian Rugs: In Persian culture, rug making is not only an art form but also an integral part of the cultural expression, often reflecting the history and identity of Iran.
  • Oriental Rugs: Oriental rugs carry their own cultural significance, representing a broader palette of cultural expressions from different countries. Each region brings its own traditions, stories, and techniques to the rug-making process.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between Persian and Oriental rugs can enhance your appreciation for these artworks and assist you in making informed decisions when selecting a rug. Whether you choose a Persian or another type of Oriental rug, each piece offers its own unique story and aesthetic appeal.

Explore our extensive collection of both Persian and Oriental rugs at Rug Love and find the perfect piece that brings richness and history to your living space.

For more information on how to clean your patio Click Here.

To View our full range of Rugs and Runners click the links below.

The Most Loved Rug Store

Welcome, we are Rug Love, The Most Loved Rug Store, your one-stop destination for the latest rug trends and styles including our exclusive Scandi-Boho capsule collection, Our moroccan berber rugs are the perfect way to give your space an insta-worthy update. We take pride in leading the way; our innovations and approach are widely adopted and have become best practices embraced across our industry, cementing our position as the standout destination of choice for today's Rug Lover.

Everything is conveniently organised – shop by style, colour, size, room, collection or brand, making it easy to elevate your space. Discover the latest assortment of rugs for sale online. Enjoy free delivery...always, with no minimum spend. Transparent pricing means no surprises at checkout. Say good bye to waiting for return references & authorisation - We're the first rug store offering Simple automated returns for your convenience. Rug unavailable? We're the first rug store providing live pre-order dates and a 20% deposit option. Reserve your rug today! Plus, take advantage of flexible payment options including Klarna, Clearpay, and PayPal in 3, allowing you to get what you love now and pay later. Need Inspo? Shop our Insta or join 40,000 Rug Lovers @rugloveuk

In 2021 Rug Love unveiled our innovative augmented reality Rug Visualizer—the first of its kind in the UK—With our virtual design tool you can view rugs in your room, No more guessing. Our customers love us: don't just take our word for it, sharing their homes with us through more than 1,500 5 Star Photo reviews. We are the first rug store to incorporate AI-assisted support, capable of delivering immediate responses to a wide range of inquiries, including complex ones. This ensures you get the information you need quickly, eliminating the usual wait times of traditional customer service, If you can't find what you're looking for, our dedicated customer support is here to help. We promise a response to all enquiries within 3 business hours. Rug Love proudly offers the original "Price Match Promise" in the rug industry; you won't get it cheaper, full stop...

Welcome, we are Rug Love, The Most Loved Rug Store, your one-stop destination for the latest rug trends and styles including our exclusive Scandi-Boho capsule collection, Our moroccan berber rugs are the perfect way to give your space an insta-worthy update. We take pride in leading the way; our innovations and approach are widely adopted and have become best practices embraced across our industry, cementing our position as the standout destination of choice for today's Rug Lover.

Everything is conveniently organised – shop by style, colour, size, room, collection or brand, making it easy to elevate your space. Discover the latest assortment of rugs for sale online. Enjoy free delivery...always, with no minimum spend. Transparent pricing means no surprises at checkout. Say good bye to waiting for return references & authorisation - We're the first rug store offering Simple automated returns for your convenience. Rug unavailable? We're the first rug store providing live pre-order dates and a 20% deposit option. Reserve your rug today! Plus, take advantage of flexible payment options including Klarna, Clearpay, and PayPal in 3, allowing you to get what you love now and pay later. Need Inspo? Shop our Insta or join 40,000 Rug Lovers @rugloveuk

In 2021 Rug Love unveiled our innovative augmented reality Rug Visualizer—the first of its kind in the UK—With our virtual design tool you can view rugs in your room, No more guessing. Our customers love us: don't just take our word for it, sharing their homes with us through more than 1,500 5 Star Photo reviews. We are the first rug store to incorporate AI-assisted support, capable of delivering immediate responses to a wide range of inquiries, including complex ones. This ensures you get the information you need quickly, eliminating the usual wait times of traditional customer service, If you can't find what you're looking for, our dedicated customer support is here to help. We promise a response to all enquiries within 3 business hours. Rug Love proudly offers the original "Price Match Promise" in the rug industry; you won't get it cheaper, full stop...

With a vast selection of cheap rugs in modern and traditional designs and a choice of high-quality materials including wool, viscose rugs & natural fibre jute rugs and sisal rugs, you're sure to find a rug to suit your décor and personal style. Whether you choose a small rug, large rug or extra large rug or you're shopping for a specific room, our collection of living room rugs and kitchen rugs has got you covered. You can even shop by room type – view rugs ideal for the living room, dining room, and kitchen, add a personal touch with a stylish bedroom rug, a children's rug, or update your outdoor space with a beautiful outdoor rug or garden rug

Browse our large range of rugs and runners including hallway runners & round rugs We also offer a variety of rugs in sale in our online rugstore outlet, including everything from modern abstract rug styles to classic persian rug traditional designs. You can also choose from a selection of durable washable rugs including ever popular hug rugs and hard-wearing rug materials in various rug sizes, such as shaggy and wool rugs, an exceptional choice of pile options, and colours. Go neutral with beige rugs or a white rug, black rugs or a black & white rug, grey rug, cream rug or add a pop with a colourful rug or choose popular shades like navy rugs, pink rugs or green rugs from our rug shop store.

Visit our online rug shop and discover one of the largest UK Rug collections of rugs online. For your next rug there's no longer any necessity to resort to searching rug shops near me or rugs uk on google to find a reputable rug seller. As one of the leading rug companies, you can explore an extensive collection of rugs in the range and now simply buy rugs direct online where we handle the entire journey, from placing your order to seamless delivery.

Upgrade your home with our lounge room rugs collection. The rugs we offer are some of the cheapest carpets available. For the little ones, we have colourful rugs and kids rugs and durable kitchen mats. Our black rug selection adds sophistication, while our cowhide print rugs offer an exotic touch to your rugs habitat. Brighten spaces with orange rugs or sage green rugs and get cosy with fluffy rugs. Don't miss our large rug sale, showcasing affordable rugs uk from red rugs to a shag rug, and explore cultural designs with moroccan rugs and teal rug options. Classic Persian or a kilims rugs bring traditional elegance, while rainbow rugs and brown rugs cater to all palettes. Add luxury with a faux fur rug, practicality with a jute runner, and safety with non-slip mats. Connect with nature with our nature rugs, vintage rugs, and purple rugs, and add a splash of colour with yellow rugs and mustard colour rugs.

For a subtle blend, consider our pink and grey rugs, or go vibrant with floral rugs and geometric rugs. Our Asiatic rug collection is popular with customers who love-rugs offering some of the coolest rugs and patterned rugs on the market. Add warmth with burnt orange rugs, emerald green rugs, and the plushness of area carpets. Crafted with care, our tufted rugs, rug blue and gray, and orient rugs speak of quality. Find the perfect shade with ochre rugs and flatweave rugs or choose the understated elegance of silver rugs and terracotta rugs. For a clean look, opt for off white rugs, or make a statement circular rugs or rug with circles or pink and green rugs. Ensure safety and comfort with rug anti slip underlay and the softness of a faux sheepskin rug, and complete any room with the sleek look of striped rugs. Rug Love provides a vast selection of alternatives to Ikea rugs, Ruggable rugs and Wayfair rugs, offering an expanded variety and greater options.

Our Customers Love Us

Don't just take our word for it...

1,500 5 Star Photo Reviews!

You have successfully subscribed!
This email has been registered