The Semantic Layer and Symbolism of Ornamental Motifs in Ordubad Applied art Products
Farida Alizadeh 
Abstract. In modern art criticism, the study of the different artistic languages, visual codes and local specifics of regional craft schools is of particular scientific relevance. The Ordubad local school, which constitutes one of the oldest and original branches of the Nakhchivan artistic area, has managed to create a different technological and formal-stylistic artistic system due to its unique geographical, historical and socio-economic environment. The article studies the pattern and ornament system in the decorative and applied art samples of the Ordubad region, one of the important centers of Azerbaijani folk art. During the research, the hidden semantic layers, symbolic meanings and archetypes of geometric, floral and zoomorphic motifs found in the coppersmithing, stone carving, carpet weaving and artistic embroidery products of the region were analyzed at the level of art criticism. The connection of the ornaments with ancient Turkic mythology, cosmogonic concepts and Islamic philosophy was highlighted, and the visual manifestations of the "Ordubad butas" and water-fire cults were identified.
Keywords: Ordubad, ornament, semantics, symbolism, buta, cosmogony, zoomorphic motifs, Azerbaijani folk art