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MAGIC CARPETS
(Investigator 219, 2024 November)
1895 Francisco Blvd. East, San Rafael, CA 94901-5506 , USA
MAGIC CARPETS
(Investigator 219, 2024 November)
Definition and History
A magic carpet, also called a flying carpet, occurs in fantasy fiction as a form of transportation which carries its users to their destination.
Wikipedia says:
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. 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." 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.
Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable says:
The apparently worthless carpet, which transported whoever sat upon it
to wheresoever they wished, is one of the stock properties of Eastern
story-telling. It is sometimes Prince Hussein's carpet, because of the
popularity of the Story of Prince Ahmed in the ARABIAN NIGHTS, when it
supplies one of the main incidents; but the chief magic carpet is that
of King Solomon which, according to the KORAN, was of green silk. His
throne was placed on it when he travelled, and it was large enough for
all his forces to stand upon, the men and women on his right hand, and
the spirits on his left. When ready, Solomon told the wind where he
wished to go, and the carpet rose in the air, and landed at the place
required. The birds of the air, with outspread wings, protected the
party from the sun.
Solomon's magic carpet is folklore. The original story of the Queen of Sheba's visit and her gifts to Solomon is in the Bible (I Kings 10) and says nothing about a flying carpet.
Not all magic carpet stories are medieval or ancient. One story, titled "The Magic, Magic Carpet" appeared in fantastic Science Fiction Stories (October 1959).
Are They Available?
If you wish to buy a magic carpet you could enquire at the major carpet and rug selling stores. But it's unlikely that any warehouses or shops sell them.
An article published by Nazmiyal Rugs, which has "one of the largest selections of vintage and antique rugs in the world", says: "we do not carry actual magic flying carpets..." The author states: "There is no evidence to suggest that magical flying carpets, those with the ability to levitate and transport people over vast distances, exist in reality."
Buyer Beware
If, however, you do find and purchase an alleged magic carpet do not rashly jump off a sky-scaper with it, but test it cautiously. Intend initially to fly only a short distance. Place it flat on the ground at a safe location, preferably with other people around, sit on it, and command it in a loud voice.
REFERENCES:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_carpet
Evans, I. H. 1989 Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable, Revised Fourteenth edition, Cassell, p. 198
Nazmiyal Rugs, "Magic Flying Carpets – Legend, Fact or Pure Fiction?", July 26, 2023
https://nazmiyalantiquerugs.com/blog/magic-flying-carpet-rug-aladdin/
(BS)
DO FLYING CARPETS
THAT CARRY PASSENGERS EXIST?
THAT CARRY PASSENGERS EXIST?
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(Investigator 219, 2024 November)
Flying carpets that carry passengers have been a popular motif in Middle Eastern folklore and fairy tales for centuries. Stories of magic carpets able to transport individuals quickly and effortlessly from one place to another have captured the imaginations of people around the world. However, the question remains: do such flying carpets actually exist in reality?
From a scientific standpoint, the idea of a flying carpet seems far-fetched. In order for a carpet to lift off the ground and navigate through the air, it would require some type of propulsion system and aerodynamic design. Additionally, the weight of passengers would need to be taken into account in order to ensure stability and safe travel. These factors present numerous challenges that make the concept of a flying carpet seem unlikely.
Despite the seeming impossibility of a flying carpet, there have been instances of individuals claiming to have witnessed such phenomena. Reports of flying carpets have been documented in various cultures throughout history, including in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. These accounts often describe carpets as being imbued with magical properties that allow them to fly through the air, defying the laws of physics.
One of the most famous stories involving a flying carpet is found in the collection of Middle Eastern folk tales known as One Thousand and One Nights. The tale of "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp" features a flying carpet that is able to transport Aladdin to distant lands in the blink of an eye. This story has further perpetuated the mystique surrounding the concept of flying carpets and inspired countless adaptations in literature, film, and popular culture.
In more recent times, the concept of a flying carpet has been explored in the realm of technology and innovation. Engineers and inventors have developed experimental prototypes of flying vehicles and personal aircraft that bear some resemblance to the mythical flying carpet. These include drones, hoverboards, and other forms of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft that offer a glimpse into the future of transportation.
One example of a modern interpretation of the flying carpet is the Kitty Hawk Flyer, a personal electric aircraft developed by the company Kitty Hawk, backed by Google co-founder Larry Page. The Flyer is designed to be flown over water and is controlled by a series of joystick-like controls. While it may not resemble the iconic image of a traditional flying carpet, the Flyer represents a step towards realizing the dream of personal air travel.
Another example of a potential flying carpet-like vehicle is the Zephyr, a concept aircraft designed by a team of aerospace engineers at Stanford University. The Zephyr is a lightweight, solar-powered aircraft that is capable of sustained flight at high altitudes. While it may not be able to carry passengers in the same way as a traditional flying carpet, the Zephyr demonstrates the possibilities of innovative aircraft design.
Despite these advancements in technology, it is important to distinguish between the fantastical notion of a flying carpet as depicted in stories and the practical reality of flying vehicles in the modern world. While flying carpets may not exist in the traditional sense, the concept has served as a source of inspiration and imagination for generations of storytellers, artists, and dreamers.
In conclusion, the idea of flying carpets that carry passengers remains a captivating myth that continues to spark curiosity and wonder. While the concept may seem implausible from a scientific perspective, the allure of the flying carpet lives on in the collective imagination of humanity. Whether in the form of traditional folklore, modern technology, or speculative fiction, the legend of the flying carpet endures as a symbol of human ingenuity and the limitless potential of the human spirit.