Three shrines, dating back about 3,300 years, have been discovered within a hilltop fortress at Gegharot, in Armenia. Live Science reports! Local rulers at the time likely used the shrines for divination, a practice aimed at predicting the future, the archaeologists involved in the discovery say. Each of the three shrines consists of a...
The Song Of The Stork
The Stork is traditionally considered a sacred animal in Armenian legends and mythology. The stork “Aragil” was in ancient Armenian mythology considered as the messenger of Ara the Beautiful, as well as the defender of fields. According to ancient mythological conceptions, two stork symbolize the sun. Storks are found in abundance on Armenia Highlands, of particular importance are the...
Armenian name of the Milky Way
The ancient Armenians had a refined knowledge of astronomy. The oldest known observatories are located in Armenia. Dated as early as 4200 BCE, Karahunj and the ca. 2800 BCE observatory at Metsamor allowed ancestral Armenians to develop geometry to such a level they could measure distances, latitudes and longitudes, envision the world as round,...
Ancient Armenian spirit – Grogh
Grogh translates from Armenian as “writer” or “scribe” (sometimes identified with Armenian deity of literature Tir) was a spirit in ancient Armenian mythology. Grogh was the most punctual writer. As soon as a human was born, Grogh would write the newborn into the book of life, and on the forehead he imprinted the newborn’s...
Mardagayl; Armenian Werewolves
In old Armenian folklore there are many creatures into which humans and evil spirits can transform by free will or curse. Often such tales involve Werewolves, roaming at night, snatching children and causing fear. These creatures are known as “Mardagayl” in Armenian. Some tales speak of women who, in consequence of deadly sins, are condemned to spend seven years...
Pagan temple (slowly) unveiled in Artashat
By ARPI HARUTYUNYAN ArmeniaNow reporter Armenian archeologists have discovered the second pagan temple in Armenia after Garni. The temple found 5.5 meters under ground not far from the modern town of Artashat about 30 kilometers to the south-east of Yerevan was devoted to Mihr – the God of the Sun in Armenian mythology. The temple...
