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The Herati design derives its name from the town of Herat, now Afghanistan, which was part of Persia until the last Century. It is composed of a single floral head within a diamond framework flanked by four outwardly curling leaves. It is sometime referred to as the mahi or fish in the pond design.( mahi being the Persian word for fish) because many traditional sources have cited this as its symbolic origin.
In Persian mythology the world was supp0orted by four swimming fish. It is known as the Ferhahan design as it so dominated the compositions of this Persian town. Although there are numerous interpretations of the basic Herati form. It is usually employed in either an
all over or medallion-and -corner format. In this latter scheme, the field is always Herati.
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