Symbolic analysis of motifs of abundance in traditional flat weaves from Burdur centre and its villages

The tradition of plain weaving is a form of cultural transmission that takes shape through use and is enriched by social experiences. In this process, individuals have reflected their observations, life experiences and emotional worlds through motifs, turning these visual elements into a means of expression. Many elements related to humans, plants, animals, objects and life have been symbolised in motifs; thus, weavings have also served as cultural texts. Motifs with themes of fertility vary not only in how they are applied to the woven surface, but also according to the areas of use of the weaving. For example, the ram's horn motif is used as a symbol of masculine power in wedding textiles, woven using the zili or kilim technique. The tree of life motif, woven using the zili or sumak technique, represents the continuity of the family line, intergenerational bonds, and abundance. For motifs to be preserved in the future, it is crucial that they are protected not only in their formal aspects but also in their semantic integrity. For a motif to survive, it is not enough for it to be repeated; its meaning must be understood, transmitted, and reinterpreted in contemporary contexts. Semiotics offers a methodological perspective for analysing the meanings conveyed by cultural objects and visual elements. Motifs are accepted as not only aesthetic figures but also as signs that produce meaning and convey cultural values. The aim of this thesis is to analyse the fertility-themed motifs found on traditional plain weaving examples produced in Burdur city centre and villages using a semiotic approach and to make an academic contribution to the field of traditional arts by presenting data on the cultural identity of the region through these weavings.