Monkey.—Symbolic in China of high official rank.
Mosque Design.—Found in many prayer rugs. It consists of a column on each side of the prayer niche and a floral lamp hanging from the niche, usually in a field of solid color such as dark red or blue.
Mountains are represented with from one to five peaks. Of Mongolian origin, although they are occasionally found in some of the Caucasian, Turkestan, and Persian fabrics. The ancient Mongolians believed that the souls of the righteous mounted to heaven from the mountain tops and for this reason they are revered.
Network, see Lattice.
Niche or Mihrab (see plate at p. [322]).—The name applied to the pointed design at one end of a prayer rug. It is supposed to imitate the form of the Mihrab in the temple at Mecca. When a prayer rug is used the niche is invariably pointed towards the holy city of Mecca.
Octagon.—Represents the eight directions of location and is found in Turkoman, Chinese, and Caucasian products. It is characteristic of the Turkestan rugs. (See doubletones at pp. [162], [264] and 278; also frontispiece.)
Owl.—Chinese, a bird of ill-omen. In Eastern India the owl is considered auspicious because it is the charger of Laxni, the Goddess of Wealth, but in Western India it is considered an ominous bird.
Ox.—Chinese, friend of man, agriculture; Indian, the charger of Shiva. The sacred nature of the humped bull in India is well known.