> The fantastical flying carpet appeared in Middle Eastern myths and folklore predating the Arabian Nights. The myth of the flying carpet was inspired by and a reflection of the importance of the woven tapestry as a highly treasured possession in Middle Eastern cultures. A finely woven carpet is not only prized for its decorative uses, but also for its varied functions and roles. Prayer rugs, for example, create a sacred space for prayer and religious ritual. Larger tapestries, when brought into the open air on rooftops or bare grounds, extend the home sphere and expand the living space in a seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoor landscape.

> During the 6th century, in celebration of his political triumphs, Persian Emperor Chosroes commissioned the work of a magnificent carpet known as the "Spring of Chosroes." It was a large tapestry woven to depict the beauty of springtime with sparkling gems for flower gardens, crystals for rivulets and streams, and pure gold for the earth, which the emperor could literally stroll upon and admire. Thus, in the cold, somber climes of winter, he would still be able to take in a breath of spring each time he stepped upon the shining tapestry.

> In the vivid stories of The Arabian Nights (also known as One Thousand and One Nights), the flying carpet is often associated with a power over the winds used to guide the carpet. The flying carpet also represents a broader, more advantageous point of view, as it allows the passenger to see across the land from the perspective of the sky. In this way a flying carpet not only presents a fantastical mode of transportation but also a gift of wisdom and foresight, all of which the hero or heroine would need on his or her quest.