Introduction: The Qashqai “Yek-Sar Nâzem” carpet can be regarded as a cultural text in which a system of symbols, beliefs, and lived experiences of the Qashqai nomadic society is interwoven into its warp and weft. Within the framework of Clifford Geertz’s interpretive anthropology, the visual elements of this carpet are not merely aesthetic ornaments, but meaningful forms of cultural practice and reflections of the weavers’ collective worldview.

Purpose of the research: This study aims to conduct a semantic and semiotic analysis of the Qashqai “Yek-Sar Nâzem” carpet within the framework of interpretive anthropology. It seeks to demonstrate how this woven artifact, as a “cultural text,” embodies multiple layers of meaning within the lifeworld of Qashqai tribal women.

Methodology: This study employs a qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach. The data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with weavers, local informants, and experts of the Qashqai tribe, as well as through direct observation.

Geographical area of research: The geographical scope of this study is Fars Province, which is recognized as one of the primary ecological regions of settlement for the Qashqai nomads.

Results and Discussion: The findings indicate that the “Yek-Sar Nâzem” carpet is not merely a decorative artwork, but a reflection of the lived experience, collective memory, and value system of Qashqai women. Data analysis suggests that the carpet’s symbolic elements, including the curtain, arch, vase, tree of life, and cypress, acquire multiple and fluid layers of meaning within the weavers’ lived experience, representing concepts such as order, life, prayer, protection, generational continuity, and the human–nature relationship. Furthermore, the subjective and improvisational nature of these weavings results in the uniqueness of each piece and its direct connection to the emotional states and individual experiences of the weaver.

Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that the Qashqai “Yek-Sar Nâzem” carpet can be interpreted within Geertz’s theoretical framework as a “living cultural text,” in which meaning is constructed not at the level of visual form, but through the interaction between lived experience, symbolic systems, and the socio-cultural context of production. This study highlights the active role of women in the production and reproduction of the Qashqai tribe’s material and spiritual culture, and demonstrates that the carpet, as a cultural medium, carries the identity, memory, and worldview of the nomadic community.