Pattern structure and cultural traces of Yağcıbedir carpets

Yağcıbedir carpets are considered important cultural elements reflecting the cultural identity, beliefs and lifestyles of the Yörüks. In this thesis study, the effects of the Yağcıbedir Yörük culture on carpet motifs and the symbolic meanings carried by the motifs were examined. The aim of the thesis study is to create a written source to better understand the Yağcıbedir Yörük culture by performing a symbolic analysis of the motifs, to protect this cultural heritage in the modern world and to transfer it to the younger generations. The study evaluated the Yağcıbedir carpet motifs in terms of visual culture, and determined that they are not only an aesthetic value but also a reflection of social identity and cultural memory. It was observed that the motifs used in the carpets carry traces symbolizing the Yörüks' relationship with nature, their social structure, their livelihood from animal husbandry and their traditional values. In this context, it was seen that each motif expresses a meaning and that these meanings contain a cultural heritage that goes far beyond the aesthetic value of the carpet.