Ladakh Handicrafts

The carpet of Ladakh is indigenous to that part and has not been introduced from outside. The community of Buddhists inhabiting Ladakh mainly, prepares carpets for their personal use. People of the area have been weaving the carpets from very early times. Some opine for the carpets of being oldest. The carpet being the main form of furnishing, is used for sitting during the day and sleeping at night, seat their guests on it, and spread it for ceremonies and feasts.
Women dominance is widely felt in weaving of the carpets. A vertical wooden loom, light in weight is the sole basis on which it is made. It requires simple wedges to tighten and tied the wrap thread which are looped to the beams and tied together. The usual size of the carpet is 3x6 ft known as Khalidan. These carpets are woven by the method of looping knots, known as "Khabdan" in local parlance.
The designs woven into the carpet are generally derived from the religious myths. The motifs are inspired by the Mahayana Budhist symbolism. Dragon motif is quite common. A few more designs like Guanakchagri (Chinese, wall), Khorlo (three wheels), Tashi stak gyat (eight lucky signs), Mentok (flower) and Cha (birds) are also used. The eight lucky signs of symbols are those of lotus, wheel of religion, conch-shell, banner of victory, holy-vase endless knot, pair of golden fish and umbrella in Buddism.