A close-up of several motifs on a nomadic ‘taban kilimi’ (floor rug).

The four white motifs are ‘koçboynuzu’ (ram’s horn), symbol of male fertility, heroism, power and masculinity.
The white S-shaped motif (on the right) is a ‘çengel’ (hook) used as a protection against evil eye.
Above it (in light blue) the five lines of a ‘tarak’ (comb), protecting marriage and birth.
The horizontal motifs in brown are ‘kurt ağzı’ (wolf’s mouth), used as a protection against the wolves, which is (or was) the primary threat for the stock breeding nomadic and semi-nomadic tribes.
The small blue motif in an ochre-coloured hexagon, in the upper right corner, is a ‘muska’ (amulet). More specifically: ‘muska’ are written charms, which are believed to have a magical and religious power to protect the possessor from external dangers and generally are placed in small triangular metallic boxes, worn as necklace.

Correspondent: J.M.Criel, Antwerpen.
Source: ‘Kilim catalogue’ – Güran Erbek (DÖSÍM - Kültür Bakanlığı/Ministry of Culture)