Who hasn’t dreamt of flying? Our myths and legends are filled with winged men, magical flying creatures and wondrous, enchanted devices that enable us to take off into the blue. Yet when left to choose, for us most, we opt again and again for the simple, logical and self cleaning choice; the magic carpet.
When one places fantasy and daydreaming aside, the most magical thing we might expect from a carpet is nothing more than the addition of underlay or an intensive steam clean, not even a wiggle. But let us not give up hope and probe further into the folklore of the flying carpet.
Did such a thing exist? Doubtful. A brilliant ancient marketing campaign? Very possible.
Let’s now explore some of the tales and stories passed down to us, in hopes of gleaning something a little more from these woven flying machines. Say yes to rugs.
Magic Carpet Myths
The Enduring Mystery Of Magic Carpets
In the tales of King Solomon, we find the first mention of the magic carpet. It was said to be given to him as a gift from the Queen of Sheba. The carpet is described as being meticulously woven from beautiful green silk and adorned with gold thread. This Cadillac of flying carpets was 60 miles wide and big enough to accommodate his courtiers and soldiers yet still able to travel at immense speeds. As for stealth capabilities, highly unlikely.
In the Arabian Nights, Prince Hussein owned a magic carpet but it did not fly. Rather, it magically transported the seated prince to wherever he willed himself. This carpet was said to be purchased in India for 30,000 gold pieces. Think of the money they could have saved aboard the Starship Enterprise with a little wall to wall.
The Enduring Mystery Of Magic Carpets
Magic carpets came in many shapes and colours, from a diminutive prayer mat to an adorned woven spread of jewels. Some were made of wool from the necks of lambs while others were nothing more than camel hair. In myth they were crafted on a loom and only became magical during the dying process when treated with magic clay. As with most magic mud, it was imbued with magnetic properties,which in-turn reacted with the magnetic field of the earth, enabling them to fly. This had to have been discovered by accident and probably on a welcome mat.
In other stories magic carpets might carry armies or provide a means of entry to a cunning thief’s mountain layer. It was said that magic carpets were handed out to visitors at the library at Alexandria when a ladder just wouldn’t do. This I believe to be a very brilliant marketing move credited , I can only guess, to the literacy plan of the day. Similar in results to telling your children spinach will make you strong like Popeye.
Surprisingly in the original tale told in One Thousand and One Arabian Nights, Aladdin did not have a flying carpet. Yet in modern retelling, the carpet has become ubiquitous with this legend. Due to this new treatment of the old story, in our modern interpretation the magic carpet is synonymous with freedom and love and less seen now as an ancient battleship. This just goes to show you, with the right PR campaign even landmines could some day be the stuff all good fairy tales are made of.
Magic Carpets Today
Rug Abuse?
The magic of the flying carpets continues to exert its influence on the modern imagination in peculiar ways. An engineer from Pakistan wrote a fictional account about the magic carpet and it’s history. Later, much to his surprise and amusement, he discovered that his story had been included in a supposed “historical account” of “real magic carpets” and his name had been cited in newspapers as an historical researcher.
What is it about this humble object that makes it such a source of inspiration? In many cultures, particularly in the east, carpet making was a means for people to tell stories and create pictorial accounts of their lives. Their hopes, dreams and aspirations were woven into patterns with images of flowers, vines, animals and birds. A classic case of the servant becoming the master.
We should also consider the influence of prayer mats. These are a symbol of spiritual transcendence, a space of peace and tranquility, for meditation and communication with god. They represent an uplifting of the spirit and encompass feelings of joy, freedom and happiness.
Magic carpets have also provided an example for scientific endeavour. In 2010 at Princeton University, a “mini magic carpet” made of conductive plastic was made to “fly” using an electrical current and thin pockets of air.
Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata wanted to replicate flying on a carpet in the zero gravity of space. He used Velcro to attach his feet to a large piece of fabric. He didn’t mind if he looked silly, he wanted to capture the imagination of the younger generation.
Today magic carpets still continue to inspire us. They are perennially popular in films, cartoons, books, and video-games. Even if magic carpets aren’t real, they will forever move our imaginations to soar across the sky.
Aimee Coppock is a blogger and history graduate with an interest in myths and legends. She has various non-flying oriental rugs and carpets and suggests if you want your carpets to be a bit more magical, why not consider getting a Tredaire Underlay?
About Douglas Smythe
