J. Basic. Appl. Sci. Res., 2(10)10164-10172, 2012 © 2012, TextRoad Publication ISSN 2090-4304 Journal of Basic and Applied Scientific Research www.textroad.com *Corresponding Author: Siamak Rahimi, Department of Art, Payam noor University, 19395-4697 Tehran, Iran. Email : siamak_rahimi@ymail.com Investigation on Meaning of Dragon Motif Designed on Rugs in Aran and Armenia (South Caucasus) Siamak Rahimi * , Meysam Sadeghpour & Asghar Panahzadeh Department of Art, Payam noor University, 19395-4697 Tehran, Iran. ABSTRACT Lack of concept for images on rugs as well as handicrafts of people or nation among contemporary human being would not refer to the meaningless of such works but these are manifestation of mores & beliefs of people. Often ancientness of these symbolic images as well as occult meaning is available through discovering in initial stages of human life when human was ignorant of nature & origin of events happened to them & looked at images in such a manner that they are mysterious. In Aran region & Armenia had an ancient record on designing rugs with high quality and beautiful images. Motif of dragon becomes manifest even more prominent that other images. It draws discoverer’s attention to reason for their existence. The present research is of the opinion of presentment of real meaning of dragon in fiction as well as beliefs of Aran (Alba- nia) & Armenia. KEY WORDS: Meaning, Motif of dragon, Aran (Albania), Armenia. INTRODUCTION In natural boundary of Asia and Europe, mountainous region of “Caucasus” (Encyclopedia Americana International Edition, 2006; The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2005) with inactive volcanic peaks (Masaheb, 2002) is bounded on the east with the Caspian Sea, on the west with the Black Sea, on the north with Russia and on the south with Iran and Turkey (Moin, 1985; Dehkhoda, 1960; Masaheb, 2002) (Figure1). Diversity of the ethnic groups is salient and unique characteris- tics of the region (Masaheb, 2002; The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2005), in a way that seventy races, nations and lan- guages have been stated in the region in first centuries (AD). The name of “Mountain of Languages” has been called cor- rectly for this region (Amir-Ahmadian, 2002). The Greater Caucasus mountain ranges have created two distinct north and south regions (Amir-Ahmadian, 2002) which self-autonomous republics of Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingush, North Ossetia, Kabadar, Balkar, karachay, Cherkessk, and Adige are located in its north part while republics of Azerbaijan (Aran or Albania), Armenia and Georgia are located in south part of the region (Amir-Ahmadian, 2002). Due to its specific geographical and political conditions, this region was always important for its north, south and west neighbors and many conflicts and wars have been occurred for obtaining this significant region. In the same direction, this region was considered as a part of Iran land and territory for long years which was then separated wholly from Iran in 1813 and 1828 fol- lowing the treaties of Golestan and Turkamanchay and was joined and attached to Russia (Melik Hacoupian, 2005; Nourizadeh, 1997; Roshandel & Gholipour, 1998; Mousavi bojnourdi, 1996). Ground cloth or mat is the most important handicraft of this region which is currently woven in the republics of Azerbaijan (Aran or Albania), Armenia and Dagestan (The New Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2005). Dragon can be duly enumerated as the most famous mat mo- tif in this region which is shown off in specific manner majestical- ly and is deep rooted in the culture and beliefs of people of this land and territory. Armenia and Republic of Azerbaijan (Aran or Albania) can be called as the birthplace of this specific mat motif. However, these two regions in south Caucasus will be explained only. After carrying out preliminary studies on Aran (Albania), Figure1: Caucasus Geographical Map (Bennett, Book of Oriental Carpets and Rugs, 1972) 10164