The rose as a symbol of love (red rose) became known worldwide, including through Persia. Persian legends tell of the red rose’s birth: a nightingale embraced a white rose, its thorns pierced his heart, and his blood dyed the petals. Thus the red rose became a symbol of sacrificial true love. Persia was called Gyulistan, the Land of Roses; Hafiz revered the rose. On carpets: white—innocence; red—passion and love; general—mystery.