{"id":10125,"date":"2023-07-07T12:34:08","date_gmt":"2023-07-07T16:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lammuseum.wfu.edu\/?page_id=10125"},"modified":"2024-06-13T12:10:07","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T16:10:07","slug":"saddle-rugs-and-tibetan-culture","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lammuseum.wfu.edu\/exhibits\/virtual\/saddle-rugs-and-tibetan-culture\/","title":{"rendered":"Saddle Rugs and Tibetan Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A tremendous weaving culture arose on the Tibet Plateau during the early Neolithic Age. This culture gave rise to one of the most well-known Tibetan arts: the rug. Known for their rich colors, unique decorations, and exquisite crafts, Tibetan rugs are classified as having two functions: religious and utilitarian. Religious rugs are used as seats of power during invocations. They often emulate forms from Buddhist and shamanic iconography, like tiger hides. Though much more common, utilitarian rugs such as saddle rugs also express the local people’s religion. Every Tibetan family had utilitarian rugs, and the typical patterns usually included lions, butterflies, and flowers. More detailed and intricate patterns implied the socioeconomic status of the owner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historically, rugs were also central to the tradition of horseback riding in Tibet. Horses continue to play an essential role in Tibetan communities today. The horse is not only the main transportation for indigenous citizens but also an important part of Tibetan people’s religious ceremonies, traditional festivals, and entertainment. Every year, Tibetan people have horse racing festivals to show respect to their ancestors. The glory of participating in horse racing reveals the virtue of courage, wisdom, and strength. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This exhibit features a selection of rugs from the Nicholas Salgo Collection. Focusing on the single rug below, the exhibit draws connections to many others through its imagery, color, and form. Together, these qualities represent Tibetan cultural values expressed through the beauty of textiles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Tibetan<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Saddle Rug<\/strong>
Tibet, 2011.04.E.45<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the center of this red mat are three black dragons playing with a flaming pearl. The bottom of the saddle rug consists of a cloud-band border. The fringe of the mat consists of a scrolling design and Tibetan Eight Auspicious Symbols, curving in an arc from the bottom left to the bottom right:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Conch<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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