A namazlyk is a small prayer rug for performing namaz, a religious Islamic ritual. If a Muslim gets their hand or clothes dirty while praying, the namaz is considered invalid. The size of the prayer rug is big enough to arrange a safe place for oneself to say the prayer, which is performed five times a day. With the help of a prayer mat, faithful Muslims, wherever they are, separate themselves from the outside world and focus on the prayer.
Prayer rugs came in use in the 10–11th centuries, before that the prayer was performed only in temples. This ritual item is optional — given its excessive use — for example, on the mosque carpets. Muslims usually carry the rug with them, spread it out on any surface during the hour of prayer, perform the ritual, and then roll it up and take it away. As an alternative to special prayer rugs one can use hides of clean animals — sheep and cows, palm leaves, clothes — jacket, robe, as well as paper without printing marks.
The size of the rug should allow convenient full earth-low bowing (sujud). The width of an ordinary mat is 40–60 centimeters, and the length is 1–1.5 meters. Prayer rugs most often depict mihrab (a special niche in the wall). During the prayer from anywhere in the world, the rug should be positioned so that the mihrab points toward Mecca and Kaaba. The prayer rug from the collection of the Museum of the History of World Cultures and Religions features a mihrab shaped as a “lyachak” arch. This is a basic element of decoration in the traditional art of Azerbaijanis. Its name comes from the shape of a folded square shawl that women used to cover their heads with in the past.
The rug space is filled with traditional floral patterns — these are ancient motifs that are widespread in the national art of Azerbaijan. They are used in decorating carpets, printing on fabrics, painting of works of applied art and designing architectural structures. The threads for the carpet are chosen from a bright range of red and blue colors, which are most characteristic of the Azerbaijani tradition of carpet weaving.
Prayer rugs came in use in the 10–11th centuries, before that the prayer was performed only in temples. This ritual item is optional — given its excessive use — for example, on the mosque carpets. Muslims usually carry the rug with them, spread it out on any surface during the hour of prayer, perform the ritual, and then roll it up and take it away. As an alternative to special prayer rugs one can use hides of clean animals — sheep and cows, palm leaves, clothes — jacket, robe, as well as paper without printing marks.
The size of the rug should allow convenient full earth-low bowing (sujud). The width of an ordinary mat is 40–60 centimeters, and the length is 1–1.5 meters. Prayer rugs most often depict mihrab (a special niche in the wall). During the prayer from anywhere in the world, the rug should be positioned so that the mihrab points toward Mecca and Kaaba. The prayer rug from the collection of the Museum of the History of World Cultures and Religions features a mihrab shaped as a “lyachak” arch. This is a basic element of decoration in the traditional art of Azerbaijanis. Its name comes from the shape of a folded square shawl that women used to cover their heads with in the past.
The rug space is filled with traditional floral patterns — these are ancient motifs that are widespread in the national art of Azerbaijan. They are used in decorating carpets, printing on fabrics, painting of works of applied art and designing architectural structures. The threads for the carpet are chosen from a bright range of red and blue colors, which are most characteristic of the Azerbaijani tradition of carpet weaving.
