The Hidden Treasure in Motifs of Gilan's Gelim

Although gelim-weaving is not one of the outstanding crafts in comparison to other handicrafts of Gilan, gelims woven in this region have an astonishing colour and pattern. Reviewing and examining the features of Gilan’s gelims may lead to understanding and decoding many undiscovered facts about the origins of the people of this region. Basically, the motifs of gelims woven in each region of Iran show its social and cultural relations in addition to the beliefs and wishes of the people of that region, and are specifically important in anthropological research. Motifs of gelims are obvious expressions of the interests, beliefs, tastes and wishes, as well as the pain and sufferings of the weaving masters, and express the local, regional and climatic conditions of their living places. Many similarities may be found between the motifs of the gelims of Gilan and those of other regions in Iran. These motifs hold many secrets, from public aesthetics to narrative expressions of love, like a hidden treasure, and they may be considered as important records of public art and culture. This paper considers the diversity of motifs of Gilan’s gelims and demonstrates the public aesthetic view of the region. Furthermore, it indicates the creative taste of the local artists. Moreover, the motifs of gelims woven in Gilan are classified into three categories i.e. abstract motifs, decorative motifs, and figurative motifs. Undoubtedly, understanding these motifs stimulates the creativity and innovation of those looking for pure art, and it is also an effort to give identity to this spiritual and cultural heritage of our dear country, Iran.