Symbols, in all Chinese decorative arts, not only depict objects but, most important , suggest a deeper meaning. In rug weaving and more generally in textiles, the Tiger pattern has been very popular all around Asia. The Tiger is the symbol of courage, fierceness and was a model for the soldier. The Tiger was also frequently painted on the walls of houses to scare aways demons. As a protection against malignant spirits the tiger's head was embroidered on the shoes of small children.The carpets presented in this page are all from Baotou ( Inner Mongolia ) and show tigers roaring and moving with stealthy steps in a hilly ground, often in the night. Other symbols frequently associated with the tiger are the Moon, The Fungus of Immortality, The Bat, The Cassia-tree and The Eagle.
