Etymology of Yerevan

One theory regarding the origin of Yerevan’s name is the city was named after the Armenian king, Yervand IV (the Last), the last leader of the Orontid Dynasty, and founder of the city of Yervandashat. However, it is likely that the city’s name is derived from the Urartian military fortress of Erebuni(Էրեբունի), which was founded on the territory of modern-day Yerevan in 782 BC by Argishti I. As elements of the Urartian language blended with that of the Armenian one, the name eventually evolved into Yerevan (Erebuni = Erevani = Erevan = Yerevan). Scholar Margarit Israelyan notes these changes when comparing inscriptions found on two cuneiform tablets at Erebuni:

The transcription of the second cuneiform bu [original emphasis] of the word was very essential in our interpretation as it is the Urartaean b that has been shifted to the Armenian v (b > v). The original writing of the inscription read «er-bu-ni»; therefore the prominent Armenianologist-orientalist Prof. G. A. Ghapantsian justly objected, remarking that the Urartu b changed to v at the beginning of the word (Biani > Van) or between two vowels (ebani > avan, Zabaha > Javakhk)….In other words b was placed between two vowels. The true pronunciation of the fortress-city was apparently Erebuny.

Early Christian Armenian chroniclers attributed the origin of the name, “Yerevan,” to a derivation from an expression exclaimed by Noah, in Armenian. While looking in the direction of Yerevan, after the ark had landed on Mount Ararat and the flood waters had receded, Noah is believed to have exclaimed, “Yerevats!” (“it appeared!”).

In Armenian manuscripts, Yerevan was also mentioned as Erevan, Erivan, Erewan, Ervan, Eruan, Arevan, Iravan, Revan and Ayravan.

However, the predominant former names of the city are Erebuni and Erevan.

The principal symbol of Yerevan is Mount Ararat, which is visible from any area in the capital. The seal of the city is a crowned lion on a pedestal with the inscription “Yerevan.” The lion’s head is turned backwards while it holds a scepter using the right front leg, the attribute of power and royalty. The symbol of eternity is on the breast of the lion with a picture of Ararat in the upper part. The emblem is a rectangular shield with a blue border.

Armenian Calendar

Source: http://haytomar.com/calendar.php

According to the ancient legend, the beginning of the Armenian calendar is connected with the victory of Hayk Patriarch over the Babylonian King Bel. In the Middle Ages, Ghevond Alishan pointed out that it occurred in 2492BC on the 11th of August. It is thought that this date also began the Armenian calendar, just as Christ’s birth date begins the modern one.

Though some historians are suspicious about Alishan’s accounts, traditionally the year 2492 as the 1st day of the olden calendar is left mostly undisputed. On August 11, 2007, the 4500 Year was celebrated in Armenia.

The ancient pagan calendar went out of use in Armenia after the adoption of Christianity as an official religion in the IV century. During the next centuries, it gradually slipped into oblivion. Only in the Middle Ages did Alishan and a few other scientists remember it, striving to preserve the past for future generations.

In pagan times, Armenian,s like Greeks and Roman,s named the days of the week after the sun, the moon and the five known at those times planets.

1. Aregaki – Sunday

2. Lousni – Monday

3. Hradi – Tuesday

4. Paylatsoui – Wednesday

5. Lousntagi – Thursday

6. Arousyaki – Friday

7. Yerevaki – Saturday

Concerning months, Armenians were using 13 of them like Persians and Egyptians. 12 months had 30 days each, and the 13th month could hold 5 or 6 days depending on whether it was a leap-year or not.

1. Navasard – 30 days	8. Aregi – 30 days
2. Gor – 30 days	9. Aheki – 30 days
3. Sahm – 30 days	10. Mareri – 30 days
4. Treh – 30 days	11. Margats – 30 days
5. Qaghots – 30 days	12. Hrotits – 30 days
6. Arats – 30 days	13. Avelyats – 5(6) days
7. Meheki – 30 days

It is notable that in the Armenian Calendar the days of the nth had their distinct names as well. Each day was named after the gods of the Armenian pantheon.

1. Areg	16. Mani
2. Hrand	17. Asak
3. Aram	18. Masis
4. Margar	19. Anahit
5. Ahranq	20. Aragats
6. Madegh	21. Grgor
7. Astghik	22. Kordouiq
8. Mihr	23. Tsmak
9. Dzopaber	24. Lousnak
10. Mourts	25. Tsron
11. Yerezkan	26. Npat
12. Ani	27. Vahagn
13. Parkhar	28. Sein
14. Vanat	29. Varag
15. Aramazd	30. Gisheravar

24 hours of the day also had their sepparate names.

Nighttime hours	Daytime hours
1. Khavarakann	13. Aygn
2. Aghjamughjn	14. Tsaygn
3. Mtatsyaln	15. Zoratsyaln
4. Shaghavotn	16. Tscharagaytyaln
5. Kamavotn	17. Sharavighyaln
6. Bavakann	18. Yerkratesn
7. Havtapyaln	19. Shantakaln
8. Gizkan	20. Hrakatn
9. Lusatschemn	21. Hourtapyaln
10. Aravotn	22. Toghantyaln
11. Lusapayln	23. Aravarn
12. Paylatsumn	24. Arpoghn

The Six Pointed Star of Armenia

Reblogged from PeopleOfAr:

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A few months ago, I made a YouTube video about the history of the Armenian Wheel of Eternity. Maybe the most iconic among many ancient Armenian symbols. As expected people started to ask questions and post comments. Among the commentators a keen observer noticed that in some cases Armenians depicted the Wheel of Eternity inside a six pointed star. Because of the many questions I received since, I’ve decided to finally grant this symbol attention in a manner of a blog post.

Read more… 1,054 more words