Flying Carpet (Original Art)

Flying Carpet is a four-mana artifact that can give a creature flying until end of turn by paying 2 colorless mana and tapping it. It is one of the most iconic and flavorful artifacts from Arabian Nights (1993), drawing directly from the mythic imagery of Middle Eastern folklore. The idea of granting flight through a mystical carpet was simple yet evocative ¬– perfectly fitting for Magic’s first expansion set, which leaned heavily into narrative fantasy flavor. Flying Carpet demonstrates early Magic’s experimentation with granting abilities via artifacts. Unlike modern Equipment or Auras, early artifacts were often activated effects that supported any creature, reflecting a magical item rather than a permanent enchantment. In Old School (93/94), it’s occasionally used in artifact-heavy decks to give ground-based threats like Juggernaut or Erhnam Djinn a way to close out games. It’s played mostly for its old-school style and nostalgic feeling rather than power. Still, Flying Carpet remains an iconic part of Magic’s early design philosophy – a reminder that even a humble artifact can carry the spirit of adventure, flavor, and creativity that defined the Arabian Nights set. Flying Carpet is not on the Reserved List.