Most people look at a rug and see a painting on the floor. They see colors, medallions, and borders. But as collectors and serious enthusiasts, we need to look past the surface. We need to look at the pixels. In the world of antique rugs, the "knot" is the fundamental unit of construction. It is the pixel that builds the image. Without understanding the knot, you are essentially buying a car without knowing what engine is under the hood.
The Anatomy of the Weave is actually quite simple in theory, though complex in execution. A rug starts with the warp—the vertical strings stretched tight on the loom. Then comes the weft—the horizontal strings woven in and out to secure the structure. The knot is the third element. It is a piece of dyed wool (or silk) that is tied around the warp strings, cut, and then packed down. That cut end becomes the "pile" or the fuzzy part you walk on. The specific way that wool is twisted around the warp determines almost everything about the rug: its durability, the sharpness of its design, and often, its origin.
The Two Giants of the Industry are the Turkish knot and the Persian knot. While there are other variations (like the Jufti or Tibetan knot), these two dominate 90% of the handmade rug market. Knowing the difference isn't just academic trivia. It is a diagnostic tool. If a dealer tries to sell you a "rare antique Tabriz" but you flip it over and see Turkish knots, alarm bells should ring. Understanding these knots empowers you to verify authenticity and appreciate the engineering beneath your feet.
Patricia’s Pro-Tip: "I compare rug knots to handwriting. Just as you can tell if a letter was written by a doctor or a calligrapher by the stroke of the pen, you can tell the lineage of a rug by the twist of the wool. Do not be afraid to get on your hands and knees in a rug shop. That is where the truth is."
TURKISH (GHIORDES) KNOT EXPLAINED: STRUCTURE, TECHNIQUE, AND VISUAL TRAITS
The Turkish knot is also known as the Ghiordes knot (named after the town of Ghiordes in Anatolia) or the Symmetrical knot.
The Mechanics of Symmetry are what define this knot. To tie a Ghiordes knot, the weaver takes a strand of wool and passes it over two adjacent warp threads. Then, the yarn is pulled down the middle, wrapping around both warps completely, and pulled up through the center. Both ends of the wool pile come up between the two warp strings. Because the yarn is wrapped around both structural strings, it is mechanically locked in place. Even if the pile wears down to the nub, a Turkish knot rarely unties itself.
Visual Identification on the Surface can be tricky for the untrained eye, but there is a tell-tale sign. Because the knot is symmetrical, the pile tends to stand somewhat upright, though it naturally lays down over time due to gravity and foot traffic. However, the real visual trait of the Turkish knot is the "blocky" or geometric nature of the designs it creates. The structure of the knot lends itself beautifully to rectilinear patterns—diamonds, hexagons, and stepped medallions—which is why Caucasian and Anatolian rugs often look more tribal and geometric than their Persian counterparts.
PERSIAN (SENNEH) KNOT EXPLAINED: HOW IT’S TIED AND WHY IT’S DIFFERENT
The Persian knot, also called the Senneh knot (after the city of Sanandaj, formerly Senneh) or the Asymmetrical knot, is the artist's choice. It allows for a level of fluidity and curve that the Turkish knot struggles to replicate.
The Asymmetrical Loop is the key difference. In this technique, the yarn is wrapped completely around only one warp thread. It is then passed under the adjacent warp thread without wrapping around it fully. One end of the pile comes up between the two warps, while the other end comes up to the outside. It looks like a half-hitch. Because it uses less wool to create the knot and takes up slightly less horizontal space, weavers can pack these knots incredibly tight.
Creating Fluidity in Design is the superpower of the Senneh knot. Because the knot is asymmetrical, it creates a finer "pixel." This allows weavers to execute graceful curves, intricate floral sprays, and realistic pictorial scenes. If you are looking at a rug with perfect, rounded rose petals or fluid scrolling vines, you are almost certainly looking at Persian knots. This knot is about density and precision, prioritizing the image over the brute strength of the lock.
GHIORDES VS. SENNEH KNOT: SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON IN DURABILITY, DETAIL, AND DENSITY
It is helpful to see the differences laid out directly, as the technical jargon can get confusing when you are standing in a showroom.
The Structural Integrity of both knots is excellent, but they serve different purposes. The Ghiordes knot is like a double-fist grip; it holds on for dear life. This is why it is favored by nomadic tribes whose rugs served as bedding, saddlebags, and tent floors. The Senneh knot is secure, but its primary function is to facilitate high-resolution imagery.
| Feature | Turkish (Ghiordes) Knot | Persian (Senneh) Knot |
| Symmetry | Symmetrical (Wrapped around two warps) | Asymmetrical (Wrapped around one, under the other) |
| Common Name | The Double Knot | The Single Knot |
| Design Style | Geometric, Blocky, Tribal | Curvilinear, Floral, Detailed |
| Pile Direction | Tend to stand straighter | Tend to lean to one side |
| Geographic Origin | Turkey, Caucasus, Armenia, NW Persia | Central/East Persia, India, China, Egypt |
| Identification | Two bumps on the back | One bump on the back |
HOW TO IDENTIFY TURKISH VS. PERSIAN RUG KNOTS BY FLIPPING THE RUG
This is the moment of truth. You cannot identify the knot with 100% certainty by looking at the face of the rug. You must flip it over. The reverse of the rug shows the "roots" of the pile, and this is where the anatomy is exposed.
The "Bump" Test is the industry standard for identification. Fold the rug against the grain (horizontally) to expose the base of the knots. Look closely at the colored loops visible on the back. If you see two small bumps of the same color side-by-side on the warp string, that is a Turkish knot. Those two bumps are the two distinct loops wrapping around the two warp threads. It looks like a tiny pair of lips or a collar.
The Single Loop Indicator signifies the Persian knot. When you inspect the back of a Senneh knotted rug, you will only see a single loop or "bump" of color wrapping around the warp.
Patricia’s Pro-Tip: "Carry a magnifying glass or a jeweler's loupe. The knots on fine rugs can be incredibly small—sometimes 500 per square inch. Trying to count bumps with the naked eye on a silk Qum rug is a recipe for a migraine. Magnification reveals the architecture instantly."
KNOT DENSITY (KPSI): HOW TURKISH AND PERSIAN KNOTS AFFECT RUG QUALITY
KPSI stands for Knots Per Square Inch.
The Physical Limit of the Ghiordes Knot is lower than the Senneh. Because the Turkish knot requires wrapping around two warps and pulling the yarn up through the center, it occupies more physical space. It is bulkier. It is rare to find a Turkish knotted rug with a KPSI higher than 400. They usually sit comfortably in the 80 to 200 KPSI range. This fits the "village" and "tribal" aesthetic perfectly, where the charm is in the boldness, not the microscopic detail.
The High-Definition Potential of the Senneh Knot is why it is used for court rugs. Because the knot is asymmetrical and slimmer, weavers can stack them tightly. City rugs from Isfahan or Nain using the Persian knot can easily reach 500, 800, or even 1,000 KPSI in silk pieces. If you are looking at a rug that looks almost like a photograph or a painting with zero pixelation, it is achieved through the high density enabled by the Persian knot.
WHICH KNOT CREATES FINER DETAIL? DESIGN PRECISION IN SENNEH VS. GHIORDES RUGS
The relationship between the knot and the design is symbiotic. The design is often chosen based on the knot the weaver knows, or the knot is chosen to execute a specific design.
The Geometry of the Ghiordes favors straight lines and 45-degree angles. This is why Kazak, Shirvan, and Heriz rugs feature stepped polygons and jagged leaves. Trying to weave a perfect circle with Turkish knots is like trying to draw a circle on an Etch A Sketch; you end up with steps. This "limit" is actually the aesthetic signature of these rugs. The blockiness feels primitive, strong, and masculine.
The Fluidity of the Senneh mimics the brushstroke. The ability to offset knots allows for smooth arcs. This is essential for the "Shah Abbasi" patterns featuring scrolling lotuses and clouds. If a designer wants to create a rug that looks like a window into a garden with realistic birds and flowing water, they must utilize the Persian knot. It breaks the grid.
DURABILITY & LONGEVITY: WHICH RUG KNOT LASTS LONGER IN HIGH-TRAFFIC HOMES?
There is a longstanding debate in the rug community about which knot is stronger. If you are buying a rug for your entryway or a busy living room, this matters.
The Security of the Turkish Knot is theoretically superior. Because it is looped around two warps, it is anchored firmly. Historically, tribal rugs using this knot were subjected to brutal conditions—snow, mud, and constant movement—and they survived. For a high-traffic hallway, a Turkish-knotted runner (like a Bidjar or a Heriz) is often referred to as "The Iron Rug of Persia" for a reason.
The Density Defense of the Persian Knot offers a different kind of durability. While the knot itself is slightly less mechanically locked (a loose Persian knot can theoretically be pulled out easier than a Turkish one), the sheer density protects it. In a high-KPSI Persian rug, the pile is packed so tightly that dirt cannot penetrate to the foundation. The fibers hold each other up. So, while the individual knot is technically less secure, the collective fabric is incredibly tough.
REGIONAL ORIGINS: WHERE GHIORDES AND SENNEH KNOTS ARE TRADITIONALLY USED
Geography is destiny in the rug world. The type of knot used is usually determined by the ethnicity and tradition of the weaver, not necessarily the country borders, which have shifted over centuries.
The Turkish Knot Belt extends through Turkey (Anatolia), the Caucasus mountains (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia), and into Northwestern Iran. This includes the famous weaving areas of Tabriz, Heriz, and Hamadan. Interestingly, the Kurds generally use the Turkish knot, regardless of which side of the border they live on.
The Persian Knot Sphere covers Central and Eastern Iran (Isfahan, Kashan, Qum, Nain, Mashad). It also traveled east. The Mughals took the Persian knot to India, so traditional Indian rugs almost exclusively use the Persian knot. Similarly, Chinese rugs and Pakistani rugs adopted the Persian technique.
COMMON RUG REGIONS USING TURKISH KNOTS VS. PERSIAN KNOTS
To make this practical for your shopping, we can categorize popular rug types by their knot. This helps you verify if a rug is what the seller claims it is.
Major Turkish Knot Provenances include the Kazak rugs of the Caucasus, known for their bold reds and blues and geometric medallions.
Major Persian Knot Provenances include the Sarouk, known for its thick pile and floral sprays.
ARE PERSIAN KNOT RUGS MORE VALUABLE THAN TURKISH KNOT RUGS?
This is the million-dollar question. Novice buyers often assume "Persian Knot = Higher KPSI = More Expensive." This is a dangerous oversimplification.
The Value of Artistry vs. Complexity is the real metric. While it is true that the most expensive rugs in the world (like 17th-century Isfahans) use the Persian knot, the knot itself is not the source of value. A sloppy rug with Persian knots is worth less than a masterpiece with Turkish knots. An antique Kazak with Turkish knots, low KPSI, but stunning natural dyes and perfect tribal composition can fetch six figures at auction.
The Market Perception does tend to price high-KPSI Persian city rugs higher than low-KPSI tribal rugs simply due to the labor hours involved.
COLLECTOR & INVESTMENT PERSPECTIVE: HOW KNOT TYPE INFLUENCES RUG VALUE
Collectors look for authenticity. They want a rug to be true to its type. If a rug claims to be a tribal Caucasian piece but has high-density Persian knots, it is likely a city-made copy, not a tribal original.
Authenticity Trumps KPSI in the collector market. A collector wants a Caucasian rug to have Turkish knots because that is what makes it Caucasian. If they find a geometric rug with Persian knots, it might be a Pakistani copy. Therefore, the "value" of the knot is in whether it matches the geography it claims to represent.
The Condition Factor is also linked to the knot. Because Turkish knotted rugs are often looser and have a thicker pile, they can hide wear better than fine Persian knotted rugs. A bald spot on a fine Isfahan (Persian knot) screams at you. A worn area on a rustic Heriz (Turkish knot) looks like "character" or patina.
Patricia’s Pro-Tip: "Do not buy specs; buy the rug. I have seen investors get obsessed with counting knots and ignoring the fact that the colors are ugly synthetic dyes. A high knot count on an ugly rug just means the weaver spent a long time making something ugly."
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT TURKISH AND PERSIAN RUG KNOTS
Let's clear the air on some internet myths that confuse buyers.
Myth: Persian Knots are only from Iran. False. The Persian knot is the standard knot for India, Pakistan, and China. In fact, you will find more Persian knots woven outside of Iran today than inside it.
Myth: Turkish Knots are "Bad Quality." False. This bias comes from the fact that Turkish knots are used in lower density rugs. But "coarse" does not mean "bad." A coarse knot allows for thick, lustrous wool that feels amazing underfoot. Some of the most durable and beloved rugs in history are coarse Turkish-knotted pieces.
HOW MACHINE-MADE RUGS IMITATE GHIORDES AND SENNEH KNOTS (AND HOW TO SPOT THE FAKE)
Robots are getting good. Modern power-looms can simulate the look of handmade knots, but they cannot simulate the structure.
The Perfect Symmetry Giveaway is your first clue. Handmade knots, whether Turkish or Persian, have slight variations.
The Glue Test is the definitive answer. Authentic knots are tied around the warp. They are held in place by friction and packing. Machine-made rugs often have the pile injected into a backing and then glued. If you bend the rug and see a white plastic grid or hear a "crunchy" sound, it is glue. Real knots are flexible; fake knots are stiff. Furthermore, machine rugs do not have real knots at all—the pile is just looped through a latex backing.
WHICH KNOT TYPE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? A BUYER’S GUIDE BASED ON USE & BUDGET
Finally, which one belongs in your home? It depends on your lifestyle.
Choose Turkish Knot Rugs If: You love geometric, bold, tribal designs. You have a busy household with kids and dogs (the thicker pile and robust knot hide stains and wear well). You prefer a more rustic, matte finish to your decor. You are looking for a Heriz, Oushak, or Kazak.
Choose Persian Knot Rugs If: You want high detail, floral elegance, and sophistication. You are placing the rug in a formal dining room or a low-traffic sitting area where the fine details can be admired. You appreciate the "shimmer" of silk or fine wool that often accompanies these tighter knots. You are looking for an Isfahan, Nain, or Tabriz (fine).
Ultimately, the knot is just the medium. The masterpiece is the rug itself. Whether it is the double-lock of the Turkish mountains or the fluid loop of the Persian courts, both techniques have stood the test of centuries.
