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On the Zoomorphic1Originsof the Rumi Motive*Prof. Dr. Selcuk MULAYIM**The rich variety of forms used in the Central Asian Anatolian Turkishdecorative arts has recently become the topic of more detailed research.In addition to the rich variety and numerosity of the motives, figures,writings and geometrical shapes used, any of these categories havebeen noticed to be able to give examples of a typological trajectoryin and of itself. All the research done on the preottoman periods hasshown that herbal themes have always been the most preferred typeof decoration within the general decoration programme. During thisshort paper, we will try to analyse the emergence phases of a motivecalled “Rumi”, which is considered as an herbal motive.Hypotheses which aim to prove that theRumi motives are actually based on animalfigures became more distinct in the work byJ. Strzygowski (1862-1941), and continuedto be defended both by C. E. Arseven (1875-1971), and by later art historians. This hypothesiswhich was attempted to be provenwith a few examples by the aforementionedresearchers keeps raising curiosity amongthe interested since it does not contain athorough and systematic information aboutthe emergence phases of the motive, andis always accompanied by a question marksince the basic logic behind its developmentaldynamics has not yet been explored.It is not sufficient in researches on art historyto merely describe the motives and themesused since this does not explain the societalchange that triggers a change in the artisticperception. Within this context, the socialcontent of the zoomorphic transformationshould be interpreted in order to explore theorigin problem of the Rumis within the Turkishart history. Thus, the purpose of this shortpaper is to analyse with a few examples, towhat extent and in what context this changewas claimed.Though Rumi is associated by Anatolia interms of its name, it is a motive that was frequentlyused in the Karakhanid, Ghaznavid,Abbasid, Andalusian and Fatimi decorationsbefore the Seljuki period. Its usage in decorationlasts until the end of the Ottoman pe-Shape-3100