The Rug Code

We Are Legacy has collaborated with The Rug Code to embed the stories of life, craft, material, and history into their Burning Trees rug- an enduring symbol of connection and continuity- through permanently attached Digital Identity Tags that ensure its legacy endures.

“Stories are meant to be told, and by sharing the stories of our rugs- the coded meanings of their ornaments and the identity of their makers- we hope to bring a sense of ancient magic to every piece,” says Kyle Khandikian.

The Burning Trees pile rug is hand-knotted using hand-spun wool sourced ethically from Armenian sheep. Rooted in ancient belief, the Tree of Life connects the underworld, earth, and heavens- symbolising vitality, fertility, and the forces that shape existence. The burning trees seen in the composition are part of The Rug Code’s wider Barana Collection, designed by Paris-based Armenian visual artist and filmmaker Gohar Martirosyan. Barana is the original, indigenous name of the town of Noyemberyan, where the rug was made, and The Rug Code’s first contemporary Armenian rug collection, inspired by a late 19th century traditional rug from the north of Armenia, where the weavers of the collection are based.

Motifs within the design carry layered meaning: the tree as a source of life and continuity, and the surrounding forms as symbols of fire- offering warmth and protection.

Wool, once central to Armenian life, nearly disappeared after the collapse of the Soviet Union, as shifting markets led shepherds to prioritise meat over fibre. Today, that tradition is being quietly revived.

Fleece is sheared from local flocks once or twice a year, depending on climate and altitude, then carded and hand-spun in two regions: Amasia in Shirak Province through the ArmWool initiative, and Verishen in Syunik Province, home to Goris Handmade. These efforts are helping to restore a fragmented wool ecosystem.

For centuries, wool- and the tools used to process it- held deep cultural and symbolic meaning. That legacy continues today, as hand-spun yarn forms the foundation of each rug, connecting material, maker, and tradition.

The Rug Code is a collective of weavers, dyers, artists, historians, and storytellers dedicated to preserving and sharing the cultural language of Armenian rugs. Armenia is one of the world’s oldest weaving centres, yet this heritage remains largely unrecognised, and the craft is at risk of disappearing from rural communities.

The studio works to revive this tradition by creating meaningful employment for rural weavers while producing heirloom-quality rugs, entirely made in Armenia, with a focus on contemporary design and in-depth storytelling, decoding the meanings of the millennia-old ornaments used in their designs and celebrating their weavers transparently on their shop.

Founded in 2024, The Rug Code is reshaping how Armenian rugs are discovered and purchased- making it easier to buy directly from rural makers. This model supports income generation while helping sustain a vital cultural practice.

Working exclusively with weavers outside the capital of Yerevan, The Rug Code partners with artisans across Armenia and is committed to improving working conditions, benefits, and wages for its weaving partners.

We Are Legacy, founded in Stockholm in 2024, is a digital platform that is redefining how handmade products are understood- using verified digital tags that connect products to makers, materials, and stories. Through a simple tap or scan, each product reveals key information about its origin, production context, and the people behind it.

This is not about digitising craft.

It is about ensuring its legacy - by restoring value to the people whose hands create it.