Uncover the Tibetan Rug History.

Tibetan rugs have been popular over the years. The Tibetan rug history dates back thousands of years ago. Tibetan rug making is an ancient and traditional art. Ancient Tibetans made rugs primarily to use as horse saddles, as seat carpets, and as wall hangings for the winter. It is for this reason that Tibetan rugs are notably durable and warm.

Rugs from Tibet are considered unique mainly because of the wool used to make Tibetan rugs come from highland sheep, which are known to produce the best wool in the world. These Tibetan sheep live in highlands that have high altitudes allowing them to produce strong and supple wool.

A Tibetan rug history is not complete without mentioning that Tibetan rugs are made with the distinctive Tibetan Knot. This type of knot increases the material’s density.

Tibetan rugs are high in durability and flexibility. They are soft, too. These types of rugs can also give optimum warmth.

Traditionally made Tibetan rugs often manifest Buddhist influence to the Tibetans. These rugs are usually made with traditional Buddhist symbols like lotus and crane. Carpet rug colors often depict vegetation.

Most Tibetans were forced out of their native land when China invaded Tibet in 1949. But it was just in the year 1959 when the Dalai Lama fled to India. It was believed that close a 100,000 Tibetans followed the Dalai Lama to India. Today, a lot of Tibetans live as refugees around the globe, particularly in India and Nepal. Though the Tibetans fled their homeland without so many properties, they were able to preserve their distinct culture and identity.

Since most ancient Tibetans were knowledgeable in rug-making, they were able to build weaving centers in the countries they started to call home, both to preserve their heritage and to earn for their lot.

Most Tibetan weaving centers in Nepal and India make rugs for export to western countries. What is unique about Tibetan rugs is that they are hand-made? Though Tibetan rugs are still made the traditional way, they are styled and designed to suit the modern generation’s tastes. Ancient Tibetans were able to pass on to the next generations the traditional way of weaving Tibetan rugs. You can also get these unique rugs through made-to-order and these are exported around the world.

There are also Tibetan rugs in the market today that are actually made in Tibet. There are still quite a number of native Tibetan weavers that were left in Tibet to continue their tradition right in their own country. Though there are still quite a few who still make rugs the traditional way, most rugs that are made right in Tibet use imported materials and are made by a machine. Their target market is the tourists who come for a visit to their country.

It is a known fact the Tibetan rug history is rich in tradition. Tibetan rugs are very popular because of its excellent quality and intricately beautiful designs. What makes it even more special is that these Tibetan rugs are made by Tibetan refugees using ancient methods.