Natural dyes were created from plant and insect matter, however , synthetic dyes started being manufactured as early as 1860. An abundance of literature is easily accessible to those requiring further information on natural and synthetic dyes . Therefore,in the interest of brevity , I have summarised (from literature) the derivation of the colours and their symbolism used mainly , but not exclusively, in Kerman rugs :
| Colour | Origin | Symbolism |
| RED |
-madder root ( lighter hue of red) -cochineal (dried scale insects)(deep red) |
– fire, – martyrdom |
| YELLOW |
-vine leaves – pomegranate peel -saffron |
– for the sun – holiness and seen as halos around saints |
| BLUE | -indigo |
-purity-spirituality -wisdom( intuition,intelligence and discovery) |
| GREEN | -vine leaves + pomegranate peels |
-freshness -balance –rebirth (spring) |
| BROWN |
-oak bark -walnut shell |
–earth-health -support-safety -trustworthiness -quality -honesty |
| CREAM |
-walnut shell -pomegranate peel |
-joyfulness -aliveness |
| NAVY BLUE | -indigo, henna | -pride-self confidence |
| CYAN | -between the spectrum of green and blue | -associated with positive values |