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“ “Hands on hips (elibelinde)” motifs are seen Hands on hips (elibelinde)” motifs are seen
on the surface of the carpet. “Hands on hips”
on the surface of the carpet. “Hands on hips”
motif is the symbol of feminine fertility. There
motif is the symbol of feminine fertility. There
are rose motifs on the edges representing
marriage and Garden of Heaven. The star
motifs represent the happiness. Fertility,
happiness and desire for marriage are
protected with evil eye motifs.

On Milas Carpets, 26 different colours are used such as
peach red, walnut green, indigo blue. The red, brown and
yellow tones are considered symbolic colours of Milas Car-
pets. Milas Carpets have been weaved with yarn dyed with
the traditional madder technique since centuries.

So, what is madder technique? Natural paints are obtained
by boiling the plants growing in various regions of Anato-
lia and the yarns of the carpets are dyed with respective
paints. The colour “pistachio green” is obtained from the
almond resin and the leaves of chasteberry and the co-
lour “yellow” is obtained from the leaves of the valonia and
heather. Bozalan and Karacahisar villages of Milas besides
Çömlekçi village of Bodrum are the rare places where this
tradition is preserved.

A Journey to Muğla 85