Charuq are the traditional footwear of the Iranian city, Zanjan, and date back nearly two thousand years. Though historically used by both sexes, they are now primarily used by women within the home. They are generally handcrafted from leather and embroidered with paisley-, star-, or flower-patterns. Additionally, the shoes worn by the peasants of northern Persia were called charuk. Charuks were shapeless primitive boots made of rawhide or partly tanned leather held on the foot by string.