Thursday, December 6, 2012

Brief Pictorial of Armenian Christianity's Use of the Star of David

Tombstone of the Armenian Grand Prince Hasan Jalal Vahtangian (1214-1261 AD)

Like many other aspects of Armenian culture, not much has been written about the Armenian usage of the hexagram. Even though its usage in science, art, architecture, decorations and even for religious purposes has been extensive throughout the history.
- The Six-Pointed Star of Armenia, WordPress.com


The portico of Armenian Christian palace 1300s AD

Medieval Armenian coat-of-arms with the Christian name of Sargis 


Floor plan of the Armenian Church of the Shepherd

Among many symbols Armenians used the six pointed star for architectural purposes. Early Armenians believed the symbol to hold magical powers and incorporated it in architecture, astronomy and sacred art. Attesting to that are the numerous Armenian churches that are constructed in the shape of a six pointed star, the usage of hexagrams to support the dome or simply as sacred decoration protecting the Church like magic charms.

- The Six-Pointed Star of Armenia, WordPress.com


Altar at the Mšakavank Monastery (400-500 AD)


 
 
Armenian Church of the Citadel Palace of Ani (622 AD)

Outside Wall of the 13the century Noravank Monastery (Armenia).

The first and the most important Armenian Cathedral of Etchmiadzin (303 AD, build by the founder of Christianity in Armenia) is in fact decorated with many types of ornamented hexagrams. Another example is seen on the tomb of an Armenian prince of the Hasan-Jalalyan dynasty of Khachen (1214 A.D.) in the Gandzasar Church of Artsakh. Maybe the most famous example of architectural usage of a hexagram can be admired in the 12th century Armenian Church, the Cathedral of St. James in Jerusalem. Where the hexagram shaped arches are supporting the dome. Similar dome arches in the shape of a six pointed star can be found throughout ancient Armenia.

 - The Six-Pointed Star of Armenia, WordPress.com


Lower cover leather binding for a Armenian book (1577 AD)


That the Armenians are acquainted with this symbol from the times of the immemorial became once again clear when the oldest known depiction of a six pointed star (dating back to the 3rd millennium BC.) was excavated in the Ashtarak burial mound in “Nerkin Naver” (in Armenia). This was confirmed by a series of radiocarbon analysis of artifacts, conducted in laboratories in Germany and the USA. The handle of a dagger depicts the worlds earliest decoration of a six-pointed star buried in a burial mound containing over 500 graves.

- The Six-Pointed Star of Armenia, WordPress.com

 

SOURCE LINK: http://peopleofar.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/the-six-pointed-star-of-armenia/

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

http://www.utaot.com/2013/01/09/sacred-geometry-symbols-in-armenian-legacy/

Here a link to a ancient Armenian cross with the Star of David