Rangoli & Flower Carpets

Rangoli & Flower Carpets Gallery

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CIDAE Flower Carpets

The Heritage of Floral Storytelling

A flower carpet is a design made on the ground with flowers or flower petals arranged in patterns. Flower carpets are called catifes de flores in Catalan, Spain, alfrombras de flores in South America, infiorata in Italy and Hana no Juutan in Japan.

One of the most popular flower carpet events is the Flower Carpet biennale in Brussels in which volunteers from around Belgium convene at the Grand-Place/Grote Markt, the historic centre of the city, to weave a carpet-like tapestry out of colourful begonias or dahlias. The event takes place every other August, coordinating with Assumption Day, and lasts for three to four days. Nearly a million flowers are required to create the ephemeral 1,800 m2 (19,000 sq ft) carpet.

In Europe, the Feast of Corpus Christi originated in the 13th century and at that time people used to hang flowers outside their doorsteps and this slowly evolved into flower carpets which are now used not only for Corpus Christi but for all other occasions. Closer to home Japan, Korea and Taiwan also celebrate flower carpets because of the blossoming of beautiful flowers in spring.

In India flower carpets are popularly drawn in Kerala during Onam and are called Athapookalam.

Ephemeral Masterpieces: Safeguarding Ancestral Carpet Traditions

The International Coordinating Body of Ephemeral Art Carpet Makers (CIDAE) is the only legally constituted global organization dedicated to preserving, innovating, and safeguarding the tradition of carpets made from flowers and other natural materials. It comprises nearly 60 member organizations, forming a large carpet-making family that has grown and expanded over the years and is currently present in 13 countries across three continents: Asia, the Americas, and Europe.

Their passion is creating art with natural materials such as flowers, sawdust, sand, wood shavings, salt, confetti, fruits, vegetables, calcium carbonate, shells, legumes, and others, allowing the artists to express feelings and emotions rooted in their culture and history. Each carpet is a unique work of art that reflects the creativity and dedication of the members.

CIDAE, carpet makers are committed to peace and fundamental values that inspire all to work together as a community for the common good. Community, collective work, creativity, and love are the foundations upon which the organization is built.

CIDAE strives to safeguard the ancestral traditions of this ephemeral art. Each rug or carpet is a window into the history and culture of the people. CIDAE strives to preserve and protect this heritage for future generations.

During 2024, CIDAE members carried out 152 activities and created 1,201 carpets in various cities and towns across three continents.