Mexican Rugs

Mexican rugs are traditionally woven all over Mexico with patterns that have a unique meaning for their respective cultures. All textiles are a true artistic expression of texture and color.

Find in this page their history, some of the most popular rug designs and places where they come from. I must say that rugs are many times used as blankets and vice versa, although the particular design, and characteristics make it more appropriate for one use or the other.

Types of Mexican Rugs

Zapotec Rugs

When people talk about Mexican rugs they usually refer to Zapotec style rugs. These rugs are beautiful hand-woven pieces of work made by artisans with techniques passed from generation to generation.

Zapotec rugs are made in the town of Teotilan del Valle in the State of Oaxaca in Southern Mexico where the Zapotec culture flourished.

To give you a taste of what you are getting, the rugs are made out of wool or cotton, and dyed using natural colors from plants or insects. The vivid red color is obtained from an insect called cochineal o nocheztli that lives in a cactus species, yellow is obtained from the xochipalli flower, brown from pecan shells, and blue from the matlalli flower. Some of the artisans still use a backstrap loom in lieu of the spinning wheel introduced by the Spaniards.

In addition to rugs, you can find table runners and pillows with the Zapotec art. Any of these items will give your home a true Mexican accent!

Teotitlan Traditional Rug

Otomi Rugs

The Otomi culture inhabited the center of Mexico and their descendants cover today a large geographical area over several states.

Besides the traditional Otomi blankets with the colorful animal profiles, there are also Otomi rugs with a variety of designs. These types of rugs are also handmade and they have a great deal of work in them.

Otomi Indians have adapted to Mexico’s current culture producing designs of rugs with the Virgin of Guadalupe and other religious motives.

Tenango Traditional Rug

Serape Rugs

Another Mexican textile used as a rug is the world famous sarape, originally from the Northern town of Saltillo in the state of Coahuila.

The Mexican sarape pattern is probably one of Mexico’s icons around the world in part made famous by Hollywood’s movies.

In reality, is not used much as a dress item anymore, but is definitely picking up as decoration item.

A Sarapes is very diverse in its purpose, and besides a rug, you can also use it as a blanket, a wall decoration or as a table cloth.