Notes
Cicim technique is the most difficult Kilim to weave. Weavers seldom wove more than one major Cicim such as in her lifetime.
Newer ones of this design type have more steps and more detail.
Centered in each mihrab's 3 sections are interlocked, rainboq colored rhomboids radiating from a single tulip or camel foot motif, creating an illusion of candles in the dark.
Mihrab bands are worked in white zig-zags inside thin white borders against the dark gbrown ground.
In Turkmen tradition, at the top and bottom beyond the main border, elems containing alternating elibelinde figures in alternating colors are finished with a red line surrounded by slanting red-tipped yellow parmakli rows directed into and out from the cicim. This device was believed by the weavers to preserve the magical powers of the rug and ward off evil outside forces.
Tiny tufts of brushed wool and fabric tied in horizontal rows represent wishes tied in by the young weaver, family and friends as a part of thew dowry. The remains of the three carefully spaced rows of wishes in the top half of the cicim is were touched by the supplicants during prayer as a part of their meditation.