The Herati pattern has its origins in antiquity, but it has become one of the most widely used designs in oriental carpets. The design is also sometimes called "mahi", literally "fish". The design is composed of two leaves curved around a circular flower. It is sometimes said that the design represents two fish swimming around the reflection of the moon in a pool. This design is usually repeated through the field of a rug, with connecting lines that form diamond shapes. The design can be seen in this picture of a Bijar carpet. Click on the picture to see it enlarged, and see if you can recognize the two fish swimming around the moon. It is the repeating pattern that covers the entire field of the rug. As you learn to recognize it, you will see this design in many oriental carpets.