GOURD.--Chinese, receptacle of mysteries; Indian, when shaped like a bowl it represents the drinking vessel of a Sanyasi or recluse.
GREEK FRET (border design), see Chinese fret.
GULI HENNA (see field design of illustration at p. 202).--Consists of the small yellow henna flowers arranged in rows with floral forms connecting them similarly in arrangements to the Herati design. It is common in Persian rugs, especially old Feraghans.
HAND, see Coat of Arms, Turkish; also Pear.
HARE.--Chinese, in connection with the moon.
HERATI.--Also known as the fish, twin fish and Feraghan designs. Better known as the Herati. It originated in the old city of Herat. It consists of a rosette between two lancet-shaped leaves which very much resemble fish. On account of this resemblance it is often called the fish pattern. It has been utilized with many modifications in half of the rug-making sections of the Orient. It may be found in its original form in many of the Persian fabrics, especially the Herat, the Feraghan, the Khorasan, and the Senna. When in the body of the rug it is generally arranged as a diaper, covering all or a considerable portion of it. Sometimes it appears in combination with square or diamond-shaped figures. The Herati border is found in a great many of the Persian and in some of the Caucasian fabrics. (See color plate at p. 22, and doubletones at pp. 114, 190 and 312.)
[Illustration: FERAGHAN RUG (HERATI DESIGN) Size 7'6" × 4' LOANED BY MR. EDW. HOMMEL (See page 192)]
HEXAGON.--Found in rugs of most every class, but more especially in those of the Caucasus. It apparently has no special symbolic significance.
HOG.--In China the hog is symbolic of depravity and imbecility.
HORSE SHOE.--Emblem of good luck. Frequently used in combination with cloud forms.
HOUR-GLASS.--Formed by the joining of two triangles at their apices; is symbolic of fire and water.
JUG.--In India the jug with the bust of a woman on the top represents the sacred water of the Ganges.
KNOP AND FLOWER.--A closed bud alternating with a rosette or a palmette. It is supposed to have had its origin in the Egyptian lotus. It is used chiefly in border designs.
KNOT OF DESTINY.--Dates back to Solomon's time. It is one of the Chinese Buddhist ornaments and is therefore quite commonly found in the Samarkand, Yarkand, Kashgar, and the various Chinese products. Also used more or less throughout the Caucasus and especially in the Shemakha; in fact, it is present somewhere in most rugs of the latter class, as a talismanic design. In some of the Persian fabrics it partakes of a floral character.