Persian Rug Dictionary

So you're in the market for a new Persian rug. But there are so many things to keep in mind. These rugs have a rich history, a complex production process, and many complicated parameters for making a decision. In order to intelligently discuss your preferences and make your decisions about buying a rug (especially from a specialty dealer) you're going to need to have mental access to all of the important words and lingo associated with this ancient and modern industry.
For example, if you really stop to think about it, you probably would not want to go and try to buy a brand new car without first understanding what horsepower is, so that you can know how much of it you want and how important that parameter is to your overall decision. You wouldn't try to settle on which car is the best without first investigating their safety ratings and airbag systems, to make sure they are to your liking and up to standard.
It is much the same with antique rugs. If you are planning to make a fairly significant investment in a lovely, classy, cultured addition to your home, you should probably know the main points about the product you are buying. It is not enough to just know you like how it looks. You're going to want to know the thread count, the weave pattern, the durability of your rug. How you'll need to wash it, how likely the colors are to fade, how soft or slippery or rough it is going to feel. What the cultural significance may or may not be for the symbols and colors and patterns that are used in your new rug. You might think that's not terribly important, but let's say you are against the subjugation of women. You don't want a rug in your house that harkens back to a legend that features spousal abuse. Or, maybe you are really fond of the imagery associated with epic battles, and are interested in that time period. You can be sure to get a rug to suit your eclectic tastes.