The hand-woven carpet because of the capacity of having the artistic, economic and conceptual aspects during the history, has found different functions besides its own consumable function. In Travelogues and historiographies was mentioned about the very splendor and luxury carpets that describing the glorious palaces. It indicates carpets gradually obtained a value more than consuming value. This research was conducted using the descriptive and analytical approach, based on library and documents data, with visual investigation on paintings from 15th to 18th centuries to finding the shape of the usage of carpets. Because that was not possible to investigate all European countries, it was emphasized on most important samples in terms of economy, commercial and artistic status. It seems by the spread of conspicuous consumption among high class people and afterwards among middle class families, arose a kind of symbolic value for hand-woven carpets. The research shows in capitalism and consumerism societies, carpets were a symbol of wealth and self-glorification for their owners. As during the 16 century and afterwards, their the consumable value as the floor covering, 20-Ph. D Candidate in Research in Art History. Art and Architecture faculty-Tarbiat Modares University 21-Associate Professor-Research in Art History department. Art and Architecture faculty-Tarbiat Modares University 22-Associate Professor-Archaeology department. Humanities faculty-Tarbiat Modares University نشریه علمی-پژوهشی مطالعات هنر اسلامی، سال چهاردهم، شماره 32 فصل زمستان 97 عنوان مقاله: فرش به مثابه نماد؛ بررسی شکل مصرف فرش دستباف در اروپا از سده های میانه تا قرن 18 میلادی) 12 ه. ق( 96 converted to symbolic value as a very important element in decorating the palaces, mosques, churches and paintings. The purposes 1-The investigation of the consumption of hand-woven carpet, in European countries from middle ages to the 18th century. 2-The investigation of reasons of changing the usage of hand-woven carpet in western countries from middle ages to 18th century. The Questions 1-How were the consumption and usage of hand-woven carpet in the western countries from middle ages to 18th century? 2-What were the reasons of hand-woven carpers as wall hanging instead of floor covering?