Artsvi Bakhchinyan - On an Armenian-Scandinavian mythological parallel (in Eng.)

8 Pages | 163-171 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2024.2-163 |

Revceived on: 2024-04-19 | Reviewed on: 2024-04-26 | Accepted for printing on: 2024-07-10

Published in: 2024 N 2 (226) / Discussions

In a letter dated 1951, Swedish mythologist Stig Wikander observed that the Armenian legend regarding the growth of a grapevine from the bone of a sacrificed calf has connections with both Greek apocrypha literature and Scandinavian/Nordic mythology. He also mentioned that he had published a preliminary article on this subject in a Swedish ethnographic journal . Wikander cited two original sources of these narratives, both associated with the name of the patriarch Noah.

Keywordslegend about Noah Armenian mythology vine calf sacrifice Scandinavian mythology Thor goats.

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Yeva Mnatsakanyan - Some observations on H. Tumanyan’s unfinished drama “Artavazd”

15 Pages | 96-111 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2023.1-96 |

Revceived on: 2023-02-15 | Reviewed on: 2023-02-25 | Accepted for printing on: 2023-03-23

Published in: 2023 N 1 (222) / Literature

Abstract / Keywords

On the basis of the manuscripts and other materials preserved in the archives of Tumanyan, one can make a rough idea of the tendency of the drama “Artavazd”, of its possible plot, ideology, psychological developments of the author, and symbols. By means of a comparative examination, not only several essential characteristics of the typological differentiation of Artavazd myth are highlighted, but possible hypotheses for revealing the contextual sub-layers of H. Tumanyan’s “Artavazd” drama are also suggested. While studying the issue, we applied the comparative, historical-comparative, interpretive methods, pointing out and analyzing the basis of tragical conflict between Artashes and Artavazd and the key features in Tumanyan’s notes and in the article “On the section of “Tenchair Satenik” by Khorenatsi”.

Keywords H. Tumanyan M. Khorenatsi legend Artashes Artavazd Satenik unfinished drama notes mythological map envy longing psychological domain.

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Alina Gharibyan - The image of the Mistress of the field - the Old woman in the epic

17 Pages | 128-145 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2023.2-128 |

Revceived on: 2023-06-08 | Reviewed on: 2023-06-14 | Accepted for printing on: 2023-06-19

Published in: 2023 N 2 (223) / Philosophy

Abstract / Keywords

The figure of an old woman in the epic “Sasna Tsrer” has a rather rich set of motifs and functions manifesting itself in all four branches of the epic. The image of Artater Parav (the mistress of the field - the old woman) stands out in the third branch of the epic with stable motifs and an important role. In her attitude to field work, as well as in other ways, this figure resembles the goddesses Demeter and Anahit, the Celtic goddess Old Mother Taitiun and the famous Old Woman Hecales in Greek mythology. In the epic "Sasna Tsrer", the image of Artater Parav has an interesting development and is characterized by a variety of functions. She manifests herself both in the image of a woman with life experience and in the image of a caring mother; she has common features with the instructive old woman from the fairy tale.

Keywordsthe old woman epic “Sasna Tsrer” tale David of Sasun plot function motif myth field work curse.

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Sahak Tarontsi - “Dragon Stone” of Kharberd and its Cultural and Mythological context

11 Pages | 246-257 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2023.3-246 |

Revceived on: 2023-08-15 | Reviewed on: 2023-09-07 | Accepted for printing on: 2023-11-29

Published in: 2023 N 3 (224) / Archaeology

Abstract / Keywords

On the way from Harputa to Eliazig, two km east to the historical district of Kharberd in Western Armenia, a giant natural boulder is located on the edge of the road leading to the vineyard Gyolu, in the area rich in springs. This sprawling rock, half buried in the ground, resembles a serpentine sculpture of a mythical colossal animal with two identical smaller protrusions on both sides. Elderly locals call this rock formation in Turkish “'ejderha taşı” which means “dragon stone”.

KeywordsArmenian Highland Sophene Kharberd dragon myth of petrification.

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Tamar Hayrapetyan - Food culture in Armenian oral tradition (daily, feast and ritual, and mythological levels)

24 Pages | 216-240 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2022.2-216 |

Revceived on: 2021-11-10 | Reviewed on: 2021-11-18 | Accepted for printing on: 2022-04-08

Published in: 2022 N 2 (220) / Ethnography

Abstract / Keywords

The food system is one of life essentials, where the key features of popular worldview and lifestyle of people are relatively evident. Traditional cultural manifestations of having or refusing meals are interrelated with life style of an individual, with a subsequent procedure, type of food, rules of conduct typical of festive meal. These rules are of universal nature and are represented in folklore (sometimes implicitely hidden), and often appear in mythological plots.

Keywords food food culture feast ritual holiday myth folklore.

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Tadevos Khachatryan - Image of the world according to Hovhannes Tumanyan

19 Pages | 113-132 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2022.3-113 |

Revceived on: 2022-10-10 | Reviewed on: 2022-10-12 | Accepted for printing on: 2022-11-09

Published in: 2022 N 3 (221) / Literature

Abstract / Keywords

Creative heritage of Hovhannes Tumanyan occupies the most important place in the Armenian literature and in the entire spiritual culture. The poet's creative works has become the best embodiment of the past and present of Armenia, its spiritual power and artistic traditions.

KeywordsTumanyan image world analytical philosophy structuralism picture of motives associations mythological character collective archetype theory of expression.

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Alina Gharibyan - Mythological bases of the character of Khandut in the epic “Sasna Tsrer”

22 Pages | 104-126 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2025.1-104 |

Revceived on: 2024-11-07 | Reviewed on: 2025-02-02 | Accepted for printing on: 2025-03-27

Published in: 2025 N 1 (228) / Literary studies

Abstract / Keywords

In the epic “Sasna Tsrer” Khandut appears as a heroine endowed with exceptional qualities of heroism, dedication, and self-sacrifice. These features of her character contribute to a more holistic perception of the image of the main hero, David. The motives related to Khandut are extremely diverse, making her image the most complete and perfect. We analyzed the character of Khandut in the context of episodes and motives associated with her in 94 versions of the epic “Sasna Tsrer”, taking into account the characteristics of three typological groups (Moks, Mush, Sasoun).

Keywords“Sasna Tsrer” еpic Khandut motive Mother Goddess an Amazon heroic woman virgin goddess dragon fighter mythology goddess Anahit.

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Tamar Hayrapetyan - Reflection of the initiation ceremony in one group of Armenian and Italian fairy tales

16 Pages | 157-173 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2025.2-157 |

Revceived on: 2025-02-10 | Reviewed on: 2025-02-13 | Accepted for printing on: 2025-07-11

Published in: 2025 N 2 (229) / Folklore studies

Abstract / Keywords

A comparative analysis of the Armenian “Three eggs” and Italian “Three oranges” fairy tales corresponding to number 408 of the international clas¬sifi-cation of “Types of folk tales” by the German philologist Hans-Jorg Utter, shows that the transition from one age group to another had different manifestations and symbolic codes in the folklore of different peoples, but they all considered the rite of passage into premarital maturity to be the most important, since not everyone managed to overcome it.

Keywords initiation ritual group of Armenian and Italian fairy tales Hans-Jörg Uther archaic thinking orange egg fairy tale symbol plot myth.

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Gohar Vardumyan , Karen Tokhatyan - The petroglyphs of Armenia and their environment as a sacred area (in Eng.)

20 Pages | 226-246 | DOI: Doi:10.54503/0135-0536-2025.2-226 |

Revceived on: 2025-05-13 | Reviewed on: 2025-05-07 | Accepted for printing on: 2025-07-11

Published in: 2025 N 2 (229) / Cultural studies

Abstract / Keywords

In ancient Armenia there were various types of sanctuaries and sacred places. They served the purpose of worship and its various manifestations, in which the ritual, its traditions and customs were significant and important. In archaic times the petroglyph environment was also a unique sacred area. The votive elements, in various forms of expressions, are present in many scenes and compositions.

KeywordsArmenia rock carving cult worship mythology world creation magic ritual imaginary creature cosmological ideas patriarch Hayk dragon-vishap symbol.

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Armen Petrosyan - Indo-European “Black” youth fraternities, mythological twins, and foundation of cities

20 Pages | 200-220 | DOI: DOI: 10.54503/0135-0536-2025.3-200 |

Revceived on: 2025-09-07 | Reviewed on: 2025-10-31 | Accepted for printing on: 2025-11-17

Published in: 2025 N 3 (230) / Discussions

Abstract / Keywords

In Indo-European studies, the existence of fraternities of young warriors was restored; they, under the guidance of mentors, were engaged in hunting and plundering and lived in the outlying territories of the tribe for several years. Only after this, having undergone the initiation ritual, the young men could become full members of the tribe, get married, and own property. These brotherhoods played a key role in the spread of Indo-Europeans throughout Eurasia.

KeywordsIndo-European youth fraternities Indo-European mythology Indo-European onomastics Armenian epic folklore Armavir Romove Rome

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