Tabriz is a large city with a population of about 1.4 million people located in northwestern Iran, about 600 km west of the capital Tehran. The city was once an important trading hub as an alternative route to the Silk Road, and is the capital of Azerbaijan Province, home to the Azaris, Iran's largest ethnic minority. The Azaris speak Azeri, a language similar to Turkish, and Tabriz is dotted with tourist attractions such as the Blue Mosque (Goy Mask) and the Tabriz Bazaar (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Characteristics of Persian carpets from Tabriz

Tabriz carpets are known for their high quality and often have short pile. The carpet design features a central medallion surrounded by natural motifs such as arabesques, weeping willows, and cypresses. Other popular designs include seasonal landscapes (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), ancient palaces, ruins, and Persian poets. The most distinctive feature is the fish pattern known as the "mahi pattern," which features fine detail and delicate design.

Mahi pattern details

Mahi pattern (Mahi Fish) is a design based on fish scales and fish shapes, and is one of the most famous patterns in Persian carpets. This design is one of the traditional elements of Tabriz carpets, and the intricate and delicate pattern is woven throughout the carpet. In Persian culture, fish symbolize good luck and prosperity, so Mahi pattern is often used as the main motif of carpets.