The magic of silk Persian carpets | A gentle explanation of the secrets behind their brilliance and color changes

Why is it so beautiful and expressive?

~Uncovering the Mystery Behind the Appeal of Silk Carpets~

Hello everyone! When you see a Persian carpet woven from silk, you can't help but exclaim, "Wow, it's beautiful..." That deep, captivating luster, smooth texture, and rich colors that change appearance depending on the angle you look at it from. It's as if each carpet is quietly telling you a story.

But what makes silk carpets so special?

Why does it sparkle so brightly and look different every time you see it?

And why is it that, despite appearing so delicate, it is surprisingly strong and long-lasting?

Today, I would like to take the time to unravel the secret behind the mysterious charm of silk Persian carpets.

There is a lot of wisdom and careful handiwork of the craftsmen hidden within.

What makes silk so special? Its charms and weaknesses

First, let's talk about the basic material, "silk." It is a gift from nature, obtained from the cocoons made by tiny creatures called silkworms. It has long been called the "queen of fibers," and its shine and smooth texture are truly exceptional. When you wear it, it feels soft and light, and gives you a comfortable warmth.

However, even this wonderful silk has some weaknesses in its original state. The threads just taken out of the cocoon are actually incredibly thin, and break easily with even the slightest tug. This makes them rather unreliable for use as carpets for people to live on.

The extra step of "twisting" the yarn to create its strength and shine [Twisted Yarn]

This is where the craftsmen's important "step" comes in: the process of "twisting" the threads together , which in technical terms is called **"nenshi**.

You can imagine that even thin threads become much stronger when you bundle and "twist" them together, right? It's the same as how a rope made by weaving together many thin threads is very strong.

Twisting silk threads works on the same principle. Several thin silk threads are carefully twisted together to make a single strong thread . This extra step makes the silk thread more resistant to pulling forces, and it won't break easily even when used in a carpet.

(Optional: insert image of yarn twisting here)

Is there a secret to the twisting method? Interestingly, there are two ways to twist the thread: right-handed twist (S twist) and left-handed twist (Z twist), and by combining these well, the thread becomes more stable and easier to handle. Furthermore, the number of times it is twisted also affects the softness and strength of the thread. Twisting it a lot makes it tight and strong, while twisting it just a little makes it soft and fluffy. Craftsmen adjust this amount according to the design and purpose of the carpet.

What are the benefits of "twisting"? By twisting the silk thread, it undergoes these wonderful changes.

It becomes stronger! It becomes less likely to break and can withstand daily use and wear.
Becomes flexible!: It creates just the right amount of elasticity, which makes it comfortable to step on.
And that's how that beautiful "luster" is born! This is an important point! By twisting the thread, tiny, invisible bumps are created on the surface of the thread. These bumps reflect light beautifully, creating the unique sparkling shine of silk.

It is this "twisting" process that allows silk carpets to combine beauty and durability.

Another secret to its dazzling shine: the finishing touch

The twisted yarn alone is enough to create a beautiful luster, but the secret to the shine of silk carpets actually lies in the "finishing" process that takes place after the carpet is woven.

One of these is the process of neatly trimming the pile on the surface of the carpet with a special tool . This is also called "shirring," but don't think too hard about it; just think of it as giving the surface of the carpet a careful "haircut."

Why does "trimming" the carpet to make it shine even more? This process makes the countless pile fibers on the surface of the carpet perfectly even in length and neatly aligns them in one direction . When this happens, the light that hits them bounces back in the same direction very naturally. This is another major reason why silk carpets have a smooth, sometimes startling shine.

The craftsman will subtly change the direction and depth of scraping to suit the carpet, in order to bring out the best shine. This too can be said to be a highly skilled technique.

The quality of the original silk is also important . Of course, no matter how amazing the technique, if the quality of the original silk is not high, there will be a limit to the brilliance. Truly high-quality silk has a special brilliance that seems to glow from within . It is only by combining good materials, careful twisting, and skillful finishing that the impressive luster is created.

It's almost like it's alive! The mysterious color changes depending on the direction you look at it.

Another great attraction of silk carpets is the mysterious phenomenon where their color appears to change depending on the direction from which you look at them .

"What? From here it looks dark green, but from over there it looks bright yellow-green...?"

Have you ever had a similar experience? It's really interesting how a carpet changes color like a chameleon. This doesn't mean that the carpet's color has changed. It's just a wonderful characteristic that only silk carpets have.

Why does the color appear to change? The secret to this is also related to the "direction of the pile" and "how the light hits it," as we mentioned earlier.

The pile of a carpet has a natural "flow".

When viewed from the direction where the light hits it along the direction of the hair (this is called "Junme"), the light reflects beautifully as it glides along the surface of the hair. Because a lot of light enters the eye, the color appears bright, slightly whitish, and pale .
When viewed from the direction where the light hits it against the grain of the fur (this is called "against the grain"), the light gets sucked into the gaps between the hairs and is less likely to be reflected. This makes the color appear deeper, richer, and more subdued .

It's a similar principle to how velvet fabric appears to change color depending on the direction you stroke it in. Silk fibers are particularly good at reflecting light, which makes the color change appear more dramatic.

This is the best part of silk carpets! Enjoy the change in color

This characteristic of silk carpets is that their color changes depending on the direction you look at them from. Some people may think that the color is not consistent, but this is the greatest charm and fun of silk carpets !

That's because a carpet can change its appearance constantly, almost as if it were alive, depending on where it is placed, the angle from which it is viewed, the weather and lighting of the day.

In the morning light, it is sparkling, bright and refreshing.
In the calm light of the evening, the colors take on a deep, moist tone.

You never get bored of looking at them every day, and there's always something new to discover. Silk carpets bring that richness to your life. It's the change in color that gives depth and movement to the space, making them more than just a carpet.

Easily redecorate your room by simply changing the direction of the carpet! By taking advantage of this color change, you can easily change the atmosphere of your room by simply changing the direction of the carpet .

When welcoming guests, choose a bright, cheerful orientation.
When you want to spend some quiet time alone, choose a darker color for a calming look.
Depending on the season, use cool, light colors in summer and warm, dark colors in winter...

Changing the orientation like this to suit your mood or the season is one of the great ways to enjoy owning a silk carpet.

Summary: The charm of silk carpets, filled with wisdom and love

Today, I would like to talk in a little more detail about the secrets behind the brilliance and color changes of silk Persian carpets.

Silk is naturally beautiful, but it is weak in its natural state.
Twisting the thread gives it strength, flexibility and a basic shine.
As a finishing touch, the surface is sheared to bring out an even stronger luster.
And depending on the direction of the pile and the way the light hits it, the color changes every time you look at it, creating a mysterious charm.

A single beautiful silk carpet contains the wisdom and skills of so many artisans, as well as their love for making something of quality.

This is why silk carpets are not just "things," but special objects that fill our hearts and enrich our daily lives.

If you have a silk carpet at home, take the time to look at it again, slowly observing its lustre and changing colors. I'm sure you'll discover new charms you've never noticed before.

For more information about silk carpets,

Golestan, a Persian carpet specialty store, provides various information such as the appeal of silk carpets, how to choose them, and how to care for them. In the store, you can actually experience the shine, feel, and color changes of various silk carpets. Please feel free to drop in and ask us any questions.

Check the size and texture at a physical store: Store address and access information
Check out our online store for carpets in various sizes: Visit our online store
Inquiries regarding size selection and stock: To the inquiry form

We look forward to seeing you all.

Back to blog