Armenian crosses. Religious symbols

The Armenian people, like the Slavs, profess Christianity. But, as for the main religious sign, then there are certain differences. The patterns decorating the Armenian cross symbolize the life-giving force, and not the means of punishment. In translation from the Armenian language they are called flowering, sprouted. The symbol of faith of this people has an unusual appearance, characterized by the expansion of the endings, sprouting ramifications, ribbon decoration.

For the first time the cross began to be widely used by the ancient Egyptians. Ankh (Ankh) was traditionally considered the personification of life, the power of the gods. Its shape is a normal cross with a loop at the top. Archaeological excavations constantly prove that this symbol existed long before the rise of Christianity. Various types of crosses were used by pagans as a worship of the forces of nature. Evidence of this is found virtually throughout the entire planet.

For example, in India, a religious sign was displayed over the head of a deity killing children, at the hands of Krishna. The men of South America, who were in South America, were convinced that evil spirits were being driven out with this object, so they put it in the cribs of babies. By the way, the cross is still used as a divine symbol in those countries where the action of the Christian church is not widespread.

The Orthodox Symbol of Russia

The Russian Orthodox cross, called only the Cross of Lazarus or the Eastern one, consists of eight endings. The upper crossbar is called "titulus", the name of the executed person was indicated there. A twisted bar, located below, represents a footrest. However, in Russia quite often they meet both on tops of domes, and on chapters of churches, and thus have significant differences from the above. At the base of the cross is a figure resembling a rook or crescent moon. There are many versions that interpret the meaning of the symbol, but they are all very far from the truth.

Anchor cross

The original story of origin was revealed in the magazine "The Soulful Reading", published back in 1861. The subject we are considering is the rudiment of the Anchor Cross. This form has come to us since the early Christian times. Christians depicted similar crosses in the catacomb churches on the walls. For example, in pagan ceremonies, the anchor served as a symbol of a safe landing stage, and, in relation to state life, meant stability and prosperity.

For Christians, the anchor symbolizes security, indestructibility, hope. In particular, St. Paul in his "Epistle to the Jews" noted that hope is for the soul a kind of anchor. Sometimes a similar cross was depicted with two fish hanging from a crossbeam or a lone dolphin.

So, in its configuration, the anchor, comparable to fish, is a symbol of ancient Christianity. Its form definitely resembles an Armenian, a cross twisted by vegetation. Photo depicting the traditional symbol of Christianity, clearly shows this.

If we consider that the ancestor of the anchor was a heavy stone, then the origin of the Armenian khachkar reveals its essence even deeper. The fact is that in Armenian the word "khachkar" literally sounds like "cross-stone", which transmits the external form of solid sculptures.

This is a kind of Anchor cross, standing on an indestructible rock or embodied in it, and representing faith in the Savior.

The difference between the Armenian religious sign and the Russian

Traditionally, Armenian crosses look slightly elongated due to an elongated leg. Its expanding wings emanate from the very center, ending with rays in the "swallowtail". All items are richly decorated with plant, flowering elements. Crucified Jesus Christ is extremely rare to be found if this symbol is Armenian.

The Orthodox cross is different from that indicated not only by the presence of eight endings: it has two transverse bars, located in a horizontal position, and not one. The lower crossbar, skewed to the left, symbolizes that the repentant criminal, who is on the right, went to heaven, and insulted Jesus - to hell. Orthodox crosses sometimes depict either the skull and bones, or the head of Adam, located below. According to legend, the remains of Eve and Adam are buried under the place of the execution of Christ (Golgotha). Accordingly, the blood of Christ, symbolically washing the bones, washed away the original sin both from them and from descendants. Moreover, on the cross you can often see the image of the crucified Jesus.

Features of the cross

Any cross is not an ornament. Initially, it is a distinguishable symbol of faith. Consecration is carried out only once. Re-consecration is possible only if it is severely mutilated or has come to you, but you are not sure whether it is sanctified or not. When a person accepts the sacrament of Baptism, he is given a cross for daily wearing.

The Armenian cross is also a Christian symbol, although it is somewhat different from the Orthodox in its form. Therefore, when choosing it, you first of all need to focus your attention not on the material from which the product is made, but on its configuration. Due to the fact that the diaper is worn near the heart on the chest, preferably under clothing, it has one more name - pectoral.

In addition, he is an instrument of protection against evil, heals and bestows life. Therefore, the cross, the photo of which is presented below, is often called life-giving, life-giving. In addition, the native Christian symbol is able to protect a person even when there is no possibility to cross himself. For example, during the period of sleep the believer is under the invisible protection of God, therefore, this object is not desirable to take off even during bathing, and in a bath you can put on a cross made of wood.

The silent witness of faith

In addition, a nativity cross is a silent witness. He says that he who wears it is a direct follower of Jesus. That's why sin lies with those who wear a cross as decoration, not being an adherent of the Church. Meaningful wearing of a nave sign is a wordless prayer to the Almighty.

The cross of Christ is able to protect, even if the owner did not ask for help. However, the Power of the Lord does not work unconditionally! Man must live a righteous, spiritual life, obeying the commandments. Exceptionally in this case, a person can count on the support of God, saving himself from temptations, sins.

Khachkar is a proof of devotion to God

The historical events that occurred in 301, confirm that the Armenian people were the first to convert to Christianity. Since then, despite oppression and persecution, he has not changed his faith. Even in spite of the massacres that occurred on religious grounds in 1915, which was called the Armenian Genocide. Later, the issue of faith and devotion arose repeatedly in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The people of Armenia clearly showed their unwillingness to be conquered, and even more so to someone to serve. Therefore, we can say with certainty that the Armenians suffered a lot, thus proving their position to God. In support of the seriousness of intentions and stability in their positions, the Armenians established throughout the country characteristic architectural structures, named Khachkar.

The Armenian cross (khachkar) is a stone stele, with a cut cross in the center. All works related to the design of the plate and the symbol itself were carried out without any established rules. A similar skill for Armenians is a peculiar way of revealing their piety, some kind of vent and something of their own. By the way, khachkars never, anywhere and were not installed by anyone, except for them. Throughout Armenia there are tens of thousands of samples and each is decorated with individual ornaments.

Stone Reliability of the Cross

Turned to Christianity, Armenians came up with a completely unique way of erecting religious signs. Previously, Armenian crosses were installed in the form of wooden structures, which in a matter of seconds could be destroyed by the hated haters of Christianity. Then it was decided to use a stone instead of wood. It is impossible to burn a stone - to destroy a plate it is required both fanaticism, and huge efforts.

Khachkar can be erected not only on the grave - it can also be installed in honor of some significant event. For example, the birth of the desired child, the victory over the enemy, the healing of the sick person or simply as a symbol of faith, near a roadside, mountain spring. Artificial stone-cutters are called warpets. In the manufacture of the stone-cross is used basalt, petrified volcanic lava or tuff.

Making a khachkar

Naturally, the first khachkars were not particularly decorated, they did not look like a work of art. In the stone stele, a cross was simply cut out. However, later the Armenian craftsmen began to approach the work creatively, in connection with which it is common to divide the early and late khachkars. The oldest surviving items date from the 19th-Xth centuries. In fact, all known khachkars are made of light, porous tuff.

Near the village of Noraduz there is the most extensive cemetery, containing a lot of crosses of the late period, which depicts a whole millennium. Before making the slab, the master selects the rock for a long time, intended also for its foundation. Then he works for a long time above the scale of the stone. The most difficult work is the artistic design of the future khachkar.

What is khachkar?

The carved Armenian crosses are not a crucifix, but a tree of the world. It is strewn with delicate patterns and ornaments. The image of the cross is like a flowering tree as an image of a new life. Almost always under the cross is a circle, personifying the sun, life cycle, harmony. In ancient times, a pair of birds were depicted mostly pigeons. It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, immortality.

The whole area between the main images is saturated with geometric figures. They are woven floral ornaments, mainly garnet, grapevine. Sometimes the patterns were so miniature that the craftsmen often used a needle instead of a cutter. In this case, the master did not cut out, but wrote on the stone. The song, mapped in stone, is transmitted from one generation to another to this day. The mastery of creating khachkars was introduced by UNESCO in the list of cultural heritage in 2010.

The majestic Tsasum

A lot of tourists, and the Armenians themselves, come to khachkars, as to a true monument, a healing or directing force. To such belongs and Tsasum. In Armenian, this name literally means "fury". It is believed that Tsasum pacifies all-human disasters, from which people suffer.

Each khachkar has its own legend, history. In Armenia, crosses are very popular, established in honor of heroes or lovers who died for their country, forced to part because of class inequality.