Hakkari Kilim

Hakkâri Kilim is a widespread textile type unique to Hakkâri Province in southeastern Türkiye, traditionally woven using ancestral techniques and imbued with cultural and symbolic meanings. It has been registered as a geographical indication under Law No. 6769 on Industrial Property and granted protection on 16 May 2023. The registered holder is the Hakkâri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Hakkari Kilimi (AA)

Registration Details

The Hakkâri Kilim has been registered as a geographical indication under Law No. 6769 on Industrial Property. The registration process was carried out by the Hakkâri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the application was submitted on 10 June 2022 and the product was officially registered and granted protection on 16 May 2023. The registration number is 1356.

The holder of the geographical indication, the Hakkâri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, operates at Pehlivan Mahallesi, Kayacan Caddesi, Merkez/Hakkâri. The registered product group is listed under “carpets and kilims” and is designated as “Hakkâri Kilim”. The geographical boundary of the product is limited to Hakkâri Province.

The use of the term “Hakkâri Kilim” together with the geographical indication emblem is mandatory on the product or its packaging. If these cannot be placed directly on the product, they must be visibly displayed at the production facility. This practice informs consumers of the product’s geographical origin and safeguards its authenticity.

Hakkari Kilimi (AA)

Materials and Production Process

The kilims are woven using yarn spun from wool of sheep and lambs raised on high pastures. The wool, sheared annually during local “Lamb Shearing Festivals”, is washed, combed, and then twisted into single-ply yarn using a hand-operated spindle. Weaving is performed on vertical iron looms, typically using the ikat technique. The weft threads are secured by a wrapping method (sarma kontur). The weft threads pass between the warp threads to form motifs, which are then tightly packed with a comb to cover the warp threads. The boundaries of the motifs are defined by contrasting colored weft threads.

Motifs and Their Meanings

Scorpion: A symbol used for protection against external harm and danger. It commonly appears as a ground motif and forms the central element of canbezar kilims. It is also frequently found in herki, aynalı, hevçeker, and çılgül kilims.

Scorpion Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Sarya’s Rose (Eli Belinde): The term “Sarya” holds significant cultural memory in the region. It is believed that “Gülsarya” derives from the compound “Gül-ü Sarya”, meaning “Sarya’s Rose” or “Sarya Rose”. This motif is also known in Hakkâri weavings as “eli belinde”. In other parts of Anatolia, it is referred to as “gelin kız”, “kâküllü kız”, or “çocuklu kız”. The motif represents motherhood, fertility, happiness, joy, prosperity, and good fortune. Sarya’s rose appears frequently in gülsarya, gevdan, canbezar, hevçeker, lüleper, halitbey, and çılgül kilims.

Sarya’s Rose Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Ram’s Horn: Recognized as a symbol of strength and power, the horn motif represents masculinity and heroism. It is also viewed as a symbol of fertility and resilience. Known as “Ram’s Horn”, this motif is also called “boynuzlu yanış”, “koçlu yanış”, “gözlü koç”, and “koçbaşı”. It appears in various forms in Hakkâri-specific herki, aynalı, gevdan, canbezar, lüleper, and halitbey kilims, used both in the ground and border areas.

Ram’s Horn Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Wolf’s Eye: A common motif in Hakkâri kilims symbolizing optimism and protection. Inspired by the wolf’s ability to see in darkness, it is regarded as a symbol of light and the sun. Typically placed between the border and ground, it serves a protective function while enhancing aesthetic transitions between color fields. Believed to shield people from danger, the wolf’s eye motif also represents bravery, honesty, security, fertility, heroism, strength, and masculinity. It is mostly used as a complementary element on the ground. This motif appears in gülsarya, aynalı, gülgever, şamari, and halitbey kilims.

Wolf’s Eye Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Earring: A motif symbolizing a young woman’s desire for marriage, carrying significant meaning in Hakkâri kilims. It is most commonly found in border sections, though occasionally scattered across the ground in some examples. It is frequently seen in dowry kilims woven by young women reaching marriageable age. Examples include gülsarya, canbezar, hevçeker, şamari, and herki kilims.

Earring Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Hook (Nehrek): A protective eye motif believed to deflect the evil gaze and neutralize its negative effects. It also symbolizes the unification of opposites and different planes. Associated with marriage and fertility, this motif is widely found in herki, canbezar, şamari, gülhazar, and halitbey kilims.

Hook (Nehrek) Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Hand, Fingers, Comb (Lapik, Tiyari): Known in the region as “Lapik” (glove) or “Tiyari” (the area between Hakkâri and Iraq), these motifs symbolize power, authority, and mastery. In other parts of Anatolia, they are referred to as “Pençe-i Âli Aba”, “Fatma Ana Eli”, or “Meryem’in Eli”. Representing fertility, abundance, and protective power, these designs are found in various forms in şehvani, herki, hevçeker, lüleper, şamari, gülsarya, gülhazar, and halitbey kilims.

Hand, Fingers, Comb (Lapik, Tiyari) Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Fertility: A traditional motif symbolizing abundance, good fortune, and eternal happiness. Animals such as rams, bulls, and deer; as well as natural elements like trees, plants, water, and mountains, are regarded as symbols of fertility and the cycle of life. This motif also represents the unity of male and female in life. The fertility design, the central motif of the kesneker kilim, is also frequently found in herki kilims.

Fertility Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Şimkubik: The Şimkubik motif, meaning “bride’s heel” or “beautiful heel”, appears in Hakkâri-specific gevdan, gülgever, and şamari kilims.

Şimkubik Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Serpent’s Comb (Şahmari): The serpent’s comb motif symbolizes power, immortality, origin, and the creation of the world and is one of the primary motifs of canbezar and şamari kilims. In Turkish folklore, the serpent is often portrayed as a respectful, patient, hospitable, friendly, helpful, compassionate, forgiving, and wise being, capable of sacrificing itself for humanity. Due to its forked tongue, it also carries connotations of gossip and mischief. This motif is especially prominent as the main decorative element in şamari kilims.

Serpent’s Comb (Şahmari) Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Star: Found in both the ground and borders of Hakkâri kilims, the star motif carries different meanings depending on the number of its arms. A five-pointed star symbolizes perfection, a six-pointed star represents marriage, and a seven-pointed star signifies the rainbow. This motif is commonly found in gevdan, aynalı, hevçeker, gülgever, lüleper, şamari, gülhazar, halitbey, and çılgül kilims.

Star Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Water Path: Symbolizing rebirth, physical and spiritual purification, the fluidity and continuity of life, it also represents fertility, nobility, wisdom, purity, and virtue. Water is regarded as the source of both life and death. Known in various Anatolian regions as “meander” or “zigzag”, this design is frequently used as a separating element between border and ground in gülgever, aynalı, gülhazar, and halitbey kilims.

Water Path Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Bird of Friendship: Symbolizing happiness, joy, love, and affection, it is sometimes used to represent the soul of the deceased. The bird element, associated with women, conveys longing and the anticipation of news. It also symbolizes strength and power, and is linked to death. In lüleper kilims, the bird is stylized and appears as a ground motif in some other kilim types as well.

Bird of Friendship Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Pıtrak: Used to ward off the evil eye, this motif is known in Anatolia as “pıtırdak” or “bıtrak” and is especially common in herki kilims.

Pıtrak Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Eye, Nazar, Muska: The use of amulets and the evil eye motif to protect against envy and jealousy has become widespread in Anatolia. In Hakkâri kilims, the eye, nazar, and muska motifs serve the same function, symbolizing protection from the evil gaze and the removal of negative energies.

Eye, Nazar, Muska Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Goat’s Track: Inspired by the footprints left by goats in snow, this motif symbolizes hunting skill, productivity, and courage.

Goat’s Track Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Wind Spinner (Çarkıfelek): Representing the turning wheel, this motif is commonly found in borders and is frequently used in herki kilims.

Wind Spinner (Çarkıfelek) Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Cat’s Ear: Used for protection against the evil eye and negative energies, this motif is typically found in the borders of aynalı kilims woven in the Hakkâri region.

Cat’s Ear Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Butterfly: Symbolizing freedom and the desire for liberty, the butterfly motif is used in both ground and border decorations of herki kilims.

Butterfly Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

House: The house motif, representing family, unity, and wholeness, is used as a ground decoration in herki kilims.

House Motif (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Lapik Motif: Symbolizes protection and power.

Bukağı Motif: Represents loyalty and marriage.

Yaba Motif: Expresses fertility and productivity.

Trunk Motif: Symbolizes hidden valuables and dowry.

Beştaş Motif: Represents balance and order.

Flower (Rose) Motif: Symbolizes beauty and nature.

Tree of Life Motif: Represents the continuity of life.

Camel’s Foot / Camel’s Track Motif: Symbolizes journey and endurance.

Zigzag Motif: Represents transition and movement.

Comb Motif: Symbolizes cleanliness and order.

Starred Trunk Motif: Represents protection and concealed knowledge.

Hakkari Kilimi (AA)

Kilim Types

Canbezar Kilim requires great skill due to its harmonious and symmetrical arrangement of motifs. Its name, meaning “soul-wearying”, reflects the difficulty of its weaving. Traditionally woven in sizes of 3–5 m² with double wings, these kilims were used as floor coverings, wall hangings, or bedspreads; today their dimensions have become smaller. Vertical fertility or evil eye motifs (oblique rectangles or hexagons) form the main composition, adorned with hook (nehrek) motifs. It includes motifs such as Sarya’s rose (eli belinde), scorpion, star, and sawtooth. Borders are separated by comb motifs and contain designs such as ram’s horn and fishbone.

Canbezar Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Çılgül Kilim, meaning “forty roses”, is formed by an eight-legged spider composition derived from the ram’s horn motif and surrounded by a sawtooth border. Woven in sizes of 3–5.5 m² with double wings, it is used as a floor, wall, or bed covering. The ground is dominated by brown, supported by navy, white, and orange secondary colors. Vertical hexagons and rectangles are filled with scorpion and wolf’s eye motifs; the white border is decorated with eye motifs.

Çılgül Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Ertuşi Kilim derives its name from the tribes of Hakkâri who weave it; some also refer to it as Şehvani. Woven in sizes of 3–5 m², it is used as a floor covering or bedspread. It is woven using wool yarn with the ikat technique, with wefts secured by wrapping. Primary colors are red, navy, and white; secondary colors include yellow, orange, and green. Vertical rows of three hexagons are decorated with star, scorpion, and Sarya’s rose motifs; borders are separated by comb edges.

Ertuşi Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Gevdan Kilim is associated with the Gevdan tribe and is double-winged. Woven in sizes of 3–5.5 m² for use as a floor covering or bedspread, it is produced using the ikat technique with wefts secured by wrapping. Dominant colors are red, navy, and white; hexagons are filled with scorpion and star motifs, while rectangles contain only star motifs. The border includes sawtooth and comb motifs alongside ram’s horn.

Gevdan Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Gülgever Kilim, meaning “alpine rose”, is linked to the Yüksekova (Gever) region and woven by the Kaşuri tribe. Double-winged and sized 3–5.5 m², it is woven using the ikat technique with wrapped wefts and wool yarn. Dark colors (red, navy) and secondary colors (green, orange) are preferred. Vertical rectangles and hexagons are filled with motifs such as Sarya’s rose; a single border is separated by comb motifs.

Gülgever Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Gülhezar Kilim, meaning “thousand roses”, consists of numerous rose motifs. Double-winged and sized 3.5–5 m², single-winged smaller versions are now common. It is woven using the ikat technique with wrapped wefts. Primary colors are red, navy, and white; secondary colors include yellow and blue. Vertical bands are decorated with eli belinde or rose motifs; a single border is separated by comb edges.

Gülhezar Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Gülsarya Kilim, derived from “Sarya’s rose”, is traditionally said to have been first woven by a woman named Sarya. Double-winged and sized 3.5–5.5 m², modern versions commonly measure 120x200 cm. Woven using the ikat technique with wrapped wefts, it uses dark colors (red, black) and secondary colors (green, yellow). Diagonal Sarya’s rose motifs dominate; the border includes ram’s horn and beştaş motifs.

Gülsarya Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Halitbey Kilim is named after a tribal chief and combines the motifs of bride and groom’s tribes. Woven in sizes of 3–5 m², it may be single or double-winged. It is woven using the ikat technique with wrapped wefts. Horizontal bands are decorated with red, navy, and white colors, featuring scorpion and star motifs; the border includes beştaş.

Halitbey Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Herki Kilim is associated with the Herki tribe and is woven in sizes of 3.5–5 m², either single or double-winged. It is woven using ikat, sumak, or knotted techniques. Dark colors (red, navy) and secondary colors (green, yellow) are used. Horizontal or central compositions are adorned with motifs such as scorpion, rose, and ram’s horn; the three-border application is distinctive.

Herki Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Hevçeker Kilim, meaning “rare”, is based on the spider or dragon motif. Double-winged and sized 3–5 m², it is woven using the ikat technique with wrapped wefts. It features dark colors (red, blue) and secondary colors (green, orange); horizontal bands are enclosed by a single border.

Hevçeker Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Kesneker Kilim, meaning “no one can make it”, is known for its fine patterns. Traditionally woven in 5 m² sizes, today it is made in smaller dimensions. Woven using the ikat technique with wrapped wefts, it features red, white, and navy colors with horizontal bands containing fertility and muska motifs; the white border is decorated with eye motifs.

Kesneker Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Lüleper Kilim is inspired by the water lily-like flowers of Yüksekova and is named for its bird of friendship motif. Double-winged and sized 3–5.5 m², it can be woven using the ikat technique with wrapped wefts. Dark colors (red, navy) and secondary colors (pink, green) are used; vertical bands are separated by a single border.

Lüleper Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Şamari Kilim, meaning “purified”, is woven in Çığlıca Village. Double-winged and sized 3.5–5.5 m², it is woven using the ikat technique with wrapped wefts. Dark colors (red, navy) and secondary colors (green, pink) are used; horizontal or vertical bands are decorated with şimkubik and scorpion motifs.

Şamari Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Şehvani Kilim is densely woven in the Tiyar Valley and is known for its “şalalbülbül” (nightingale’s nest) motifs. Double-winged and sized 3–5 m², it is woven using the ikat technique with wrapped wefts. Dark colors (red, navy) and secondary colors (yellow, green) are used; horizontal bands are enclosed by a single border.

Şehvani Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Şimkubik Kilim, meaning “bride’s heel”, is shaped with rose and şimkubik motifs. Double-winged and sized 3–5 m², it is woven using the ikat technique with wrapped wefts. Dark colors (red, navy) and secondary colors (pink, orange) are used; horizontal bands are separated by single or triple borders.

Şimkubik Kilim (Hakkari Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism)

Technical Specifications

• Warp density: 38–42 threads per dm²
• Weft count: 230 threads
• Colors: Primary colors are red, burgundy, navy, brown, black, and white; secondary colors are green, yellow, blue, pink, and orange
• Applications: Floor covering, cushion set, vest, pillow, panel, cover

Monitoring Process

Monitoring is conducted at least once a year under the coordination of the Hakkâri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, by a minimum three-member inspection body composed of experts from the Hakkâri TOBB Vocational Training Center, Hakkâri Public Education Center, and Hakkâri Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism. Inspections may be carried out at any time upon complaint or if deemed necessary. During inspections, the production method, motif and design conformity, and use of the geographical indication emblem are verified.