Magic carpet
Magic carpet | |
---|---|
Middle Eastern literature element | |
Genre | Fantasy |
In-universe information | |
Type | Magical carpet |
Function | Transportation |
Traits and abilities | Capable of flight, or instant replacement |
A magic carpet, also called a flying carpet, is a legendary carpet and common trope in fantasy fiction. It is typically used as a form of transportation and can quickly or instantaneously carry its user(s) to their destination.
In literature
One of the stories in the One Thousand and One Nights relates how Prince Husain, the eldest son of Sultan of the Indies, travels to Bisnagar (Vijayanagara) in India and buys a magic carpet.[1] This carpet is described as follows: "Whoever sitteth on this carpet and willeth in thought to be taken up and set down upon other site will, in the twinkling of an eye, be borne thither, be that place nearhand or distant many a day's journey and difficult to reach."[2] The literary traditions of several other cultures also feature magical carpets, in most cases literally flying rather than instantly transporting their passengers from place to place.
In Russian folk tales, Baba Yaga can supply Ivan the Fool with a flying carpet or some other magical gifts (e.g. a ball that rolls in front of the hero showing him the way, or a towel that can turn into a bridge). Such gifts help the hero to find his way "beyond thrice-nine lands, in the thrice-ten kingdom". Russian painter Viktor Vasnetsov illustrated the tales featuring a flying carpet on two occasions.
In
Magic carpets have also been featured in modern literature, movies, and video games, and not always in a classic context.
In "traditional Chinese fantasy literature" from the late Qing dynasty and before, sentient flying carpets were thought to be "magical monsters" in the same category as lung, qilin, or clouds for heroes to traverse distances with.[7]
In Taoism and Taoist art, flying carpets were used as poetic metaphors for the ability of flight xian had.[8]
In Tibetan Tantric Buddhism, a paper carpet were thought to be able to fly for "adept[s]".[9]
See also
- The Phoenix and the Carpet – 1904 children's novel by E. Nesbit
- Old Khottabych – 1938 Soviet children's book and later 1956 film with the depiction of a flying carpet
- "Magic Carpet Ride" – 1968 song by Steppenwolf
- Cacofonix in India
- Barbara Vine about the London Underground
- Magic Carpet – 1994 video game featuring flight and combat in a realm of magic and monsters
Notes
- ^ Brewers Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, p. 305 1894.
- ^ Burton, Richard The Thousand Nights and a Night Vol. 13, 1885
- ^ Retold for children by Sulamith Ish-Kishor, The carpet of Solomon: A Hebrew legend 1966.
- ^ The Jewish Encyclopedia, s.v. Solomon: Solomon's carpet"
- ^ The Jewish Encyclopedia, ibid.
- ^ Qala'id-al-Jawahir book 6
- .
- ISBN 978-3-8365-1448-4.
- ISBN 978-3-8365-1448-4.
External links
- The secret history of the Flying Carpet Archived 2005-11-21 at the Wayback Machine