Laleh Abbasi
Laleh Abbasi rug (Abbasi tulip) is the most iconic type of Shah Abbasi flowers woven amongst Khitaei foliates vastly by the Persian weavers. Though the motif named after Shah Abbas the great, in carpet and tiling terminology, it is a far ancient motif used by Egyptians and Mesopotamians as well as ancient Persians, being tied chiefly with Mithraism. Laleh Abbasi rug.
As a symbol of rebirth, the lotus is a fixed part of tomb and coffin decoration, often in combination with the scarab, which has similar symbolic meaning
Lotus relief in Persepolis
The Egyptian lotus entered the Persian rug under the Achaemenid Dynasty, used in Persepolis. In Mithraism, the opening bud represents the birth of Mithras out of the water. Remained in the Iranian architecture, the motif flourished again in the Safavid tiles and royal floral rugs.
Safavid Persian rug
Laleh Abbasi (Shah Abbasi) flower in Oriental rugs
From royal workshops of Isfahan and Kashan, the motif found its way to lots of Persian city-woven rug centers all around Iran, such as Nain, Kerman and Mashhad. Being interpreted as a pomegranate blossom, some Persian weavers call it Golnar or Gol Anari.
Golnar or Gol Anari Flower
Laleh Abbasi (Shah Abbasi) flower in Persian rugs
Safavid Kerman ‘vase’ carpet fragment with Laleh Abbasi (Shah Abbasi) flower motif, early 17th century