It is hardly possible to say something definite about the significance of the flying carpet for the development of civilization. A cynical pragmatist will say that this - and any other - artifact does not have any meaning, since it does not exist in nature.
The symbolic meaning of the artifact
Nevertheless, the tricky little thing was created and carefully described by storytellers for a reason. If we compare the flying carpet and the boots of the runners, it turns out that the speed of movement in boots in many fairy tales can be much higher than on the carpet. Why do heroes often choose carpets as a means of transportation?
It can be assumed that this is due to the fact that a flying carpet, unlike boots, does not require the use of physical force. In addition, the carpet often has the function of subordination to one owner and an automatic flight control system. In general, magic replaces the most complex electronics, while the magical properties of boots are similar to the mechanics of a bicycle.
In addition, wise advisers, genies, almighty sheikhs, as well as brave saviors of princesses and princesses, along with saved girls, usually fly on airplane carpets. Young, healthy and physically strong fellows move on carpets only occasionally, and even then, apparently, because the boots were not delivered.
Perhaps the "inventors" of the artifact - oriental storytellers - laid the basis for the symbol of the division of people of physical and mental labor. Agree, the powerful wizard on the flying carpet, the giant in the walking boots and Ivan the Fool on the gray wolf are strikingly different in intelligence, and it was quite fair to emphasize this with a stable association with the symbol.
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A little about history
As mentioned above, the flying carpet was "created" in the Middle East.
Insidious Scheherazade, sweet dates and raisins, golden dishes and marble staircases, beauties behind silk curtains of palanquins, harsh rulers and wise cunning advisers … and a colorful flying carpet, of course, too.
There is a little thing, however, in Persian mythology. Thanks to the collection of fairy tales "A Thousand and One Nights", she was warmly received in the West.
Often the use of the symbol in Russian fairy tales - the image of the carpet in the context of Russian culture belongs to the brush of Vasnetsov.
Flying carpet in Soviet fairy tales and fantastic literature
Most of the children, of course, watched the film, the script of which was written based on the book about old man Hottabych. A sharp contrast between Eastern and Soviet cultures, as well as the ancient era and modernity, is achieved in the film precisely thanks to the details: the carpet itself, the magic beard and others.
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky pursued similar goals, describing the flying carpet as one of the exhibits in the museum of the Research Institute of Witchcraft and Wizardry (NIICHAVO). The size and appearance of the "Carpet-plane of gravity protection" are scrupulously described by the manager of NIICHAVO, and the artifact itself is vigilantly guarded by Naina Kievnaya, the curator of the museum IZNAKURNOZH (huts on chicken legs).
Here the contrast between reality and magic is emphasized by ironic descriptions of events, such as an inventory of magical items.
I remember the mentioned artifact and Belyaev: the story of the same name was published by the writer in 1936.
Flying carpet in cartoons and fantasy genres
Perhaps it is worth starting with the very first mentions - "A Thousand and One Nights" and the Persian tale "The Carpet of Prince Hussein."
The miracle of aerodynamics is found in such Soviet cartoons as "After the Rain on Thursday", "How the Cossacks helped the Musketeers" and "Kashchei the Immortal."
Among Western cartoons in which the heroes use such a rug, of course, Disney's "Aladdin" and - surprisingly - "Futurama." In the latter, the artifact is mentioned sporadically, in a series called "Three Hundred Big Boys".
The author of the saga about the boy who survived, in her books even described the artifact in the context of the wizarding world. This description is given on the "Potter Wikipedia" and states that the magic carpet (or flying carpet) was actively used as a means of transportation until the 20th century. Flying carpets were later banned by the anti-Muggle sector - yes, the same way that Arthur Weasley later worked.
However, in Eastern countries, according to Rowling, flying carpets are in much greater demand than light and fast brooms. The wizards of Iran, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Mongolia respect tradition and prefer family vehicles to rolling brooms.
In addition to literature and animation, the image of a flying carpet is widely used in the computer games industry, which seems quite logical, given the specificity of the artifact and the simplicity of describing the principle of operation.
Advantages and disadvantages of flying carpet
Such a vehicle can be both individual and family.
The flying carpet is designed to lift a sufficiently large weight (oriental wizards could not all be skinny and small). It is worth adding to this that, apparently, the carrying capacity of the carpet depends on the area - and this strongly resembles the invention of Belyaevsky professor Wagner, an aircraft with the structure of thin magnesium films.
When folded, the carpet is very compact and can theoretically be used as a soundproofing wall covering.
The comfort of the flight is almost not affected by the surface relief (the exception is mountains), but the weather conditions (air temperature and others) significantly affect.
The ability to fly is strongly influenced by wind speed and direction. Due to the large area of the flying carpet, the resistance to wind is low.
Author: Kovalevskaya Olga Igorevna