среда, 8 апреля 2009 г.

Pantheon Of Armenian Gods

Aramazd_ The father of all gods and goddess, the creator of heaven and earth. The first two letters in his name, "AR" is the Indo-European root for sun, light, and life. Aramazd was the source of earth's fertility, making it fruitful and bountiful. The celebration in his honor was called Am'nor, or New Year, which was celebrated on March 21 in the old Armenian calendar(also the Spring equinox).
Nuneh_ The goddess of wisdom, common sense, motherhood and protector of home, keeper of the family.
Anahit_ The goddess of
fertility and birth, in early period she was the goddes of war. By the 1st c. BCE she was the main deity in Armenia.
Vagagan _ The god of thunder, clouds and fire. Comes from "Vah"-god, "Agne"- fire. Vahagan is constellation Orion.
Astghik_ The goddess of love and beauty, symbolized by skylight. She was the wife or lover of Vahagan, he god of fire and metal. She was also goddess of water. The celebration in her honor occurred in mid June and was called Vardevar. It is still celebrated in Armenia by pouring water on unsuspecting passer-by.
Ara Geghetsik - "Ara the Beautiful"- the god of spring, flora, agriculture, sowing and water. He is associated with Lsis, Vishu and Dionysus, as the symbol of new life.
Hayk - A king, but in legend the father of Armenia. He slew the Babylonian king described in the bible as attempting to build the tower of Babel. Hayk's armies invaded Babylon, and establish the kingdom from which Armenians claim their heritage. The legend of Hayk is the forerunner of the legend of Hercules.
Tsovinar, Nar - The goddess of water, sea, rain.The daughter of Aramazd. The goddess of war. Her cult was closely connected with Anahit's cult. And it was not a randomness that her tample was located in Ekegyac region (gavar), near with Anahit's temple. Now Armenians usually call their grandmother "Nane" (Nan) which means that Nane was an influential goddess in Ancient Armenians spiritual life.
Vanatur _ Amanor was the god of Armenians new year and lord of the new yield. The celebration in his honor occurred in the end of Junly and was called Navasard (new year). His main worship was located in Bagavan city. If Amanor was the god of new year and new yield, Vanatur was the god of hospitality and bountiful hosts.
Mihr _ The god of sun and heaven light. He was the son of Aramazd, the brother of Anahit and Nane. His main worship was located in Bagaharich. The pagan temple of Garni was Mihr's worship.
Tir _ The god of literature, science and art, also an interpreter of dreams. Tir was secretary of Aramazd. Tir's temple was located near Artashat and was called "Aramazds grchi divan" or "Mehyan for studying sciences".
Tork Angegh _ The god of power, bravery, war, the military.
Aralez _ One of the oldest gods in the Armenian pantheon, Aralez was a god in the form of a dog, whose powers included the ability to resurrect the dead by licking wounds clean.
Spandaramet or Sandaramet _ The god of underground. He was the god of dead people's kingdom or hell.