Geometric and Herbal Motifs Used in Kirkit Textiles from the Eastern Black Sea Region

Abstract

Human beings have been creating textile products to meet their survival needs and to enhance their lives, and they have decorated the surfaces of these fabrics in various ways. These motifs have long shown great richness, and this richness lives on in contemporary weaving. People have used writing and symbolic expression to represent their faith and devotion to God in many ways. These symbols have become the language of weavers who have reflected their thought in their weaving. The Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey features traditional weaving in response to lifestyle needs, which are rich in both use and motif. Carpets and plain weavings such as floor mats, runners, cedar covers, pillows, wall exhibitions, sacks, sackcloth, cradle covers, ropes, saddlebags, bags, as well as cloth fabrics used as napkins, loincloths, shawls, and ihram, are made to ease life’s burdens. The motifs on the weavings show rich cultural, geometric, floral, figural patterns, and symbolic motifs, with writing and image depictions. However, it is a fact these weavings are gradually becoming less common and are disappearing day by day because of developing technology and lifestyle. In this study, geometric and herbal motifs commonly seen in the Eastern Black Sea Region weavings were investigated, the products obtained were photographed and documented and the motifs on them were examined. The geometric motifs found in the weavings include the star, hexagon, octagon, rhombus, and square; the plant motifs shown include the flower, leaf, branch, tree of life, and pitrak.