Khachkar, a photo from Gegharkunik, East

Photographer's Note

Armenian cross-stones art.

A khachkar, also known as an Armenian cross-stone is a carved, memorial stele bearing a cross, and often with additional motifs such as rosettes, interlaces, and botanical motifs. Khachkars are characteristic of Medieval Christian Armenian art.

Since 2010, khachkars, their symbolism and craftsmanship are inscribed in the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The most common khachkar feature is a cross surmounting a rosette or a solar disc. The remainder of the stone face is typically filled with elaborate patterns of leaves, grapes, pomegranates, and bands of interlace. Occasionally a khachkar is surmounted by a cornice sometimes containing biblical or saintly figures.

Most early khachkars were erected for the salvation of the soul of either a living or a deceased person. Otherwise they were intended to commemorate a military victory, the construction of a church, or as a form of protection from natural disasters.The most common location for early khachkars was in a graveyard.

The khachkar both stimulated and reflects the unique development of Armenian culture; it is one of the most characteristic symbols of Armenian identity.

It is particularly tragic that khachkars are also endangered in Armenia and Artsakh. They are disappearing, being damaged or moved.

Khachkars are created usually using local stone and carved using chisel, die, sharp pens and hammers. The carvings are then ground using fine sand. Small breaks and rough surfaces are eliminated by plaster of clay or lime, and then painted. Once finished, the Khachkar is erected during a small religious ceremony. After being blessed and anointed, the Khachkar is believed to possess holy powers and can provide help, protection, victory, long life, remembrance and mediation towards salvation of the soul. Among more than 50,000 Khachkars in Armenia, each has its own pattern, and no two are alike.

holmertz, jhm, COSTANTINO, ikeharel, CMJC, jean113, pierrefonds, Fis2, PaulVDV, pajaran, macjake, jemaflor has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

holmertz (103660) 2020-07-30 10:02

Hello Piotr,
These are fantastic works of art, but they look like they have been in a fire. The note provides interesting information about these unique works. The photo is very nicely taken with fine colours and sharpness.
("Artsakh" is known to most as Nagorno-Karabakh, and the self-proclaimed republic is not recognized by any other government.)
Best regards,
Gert

Silvio1953 (222991) 2020-07-30 10:16

Ciao Piotr, great view of fantastic artworks, wonderful colors, splendid sharpness and fine details, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jhm (211738) 2020-07-30 10:20

Hello Piotr,

Happy that this still is kept
Excellent clear and colourfully too.
Nice captured image, and nice presentation.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

COSTANTINO (117850) 2020-07-30 10:33

Hello dear friend and have a nice day
original version
it is the first time I see
something like this ..armenian
cross stones art...
i agree according to your useful notes
that these are fantastic works of art
welldone
regards
costantino

ikeharel (114659) 2020-07-30 10:38

Good evening Piotr,
Well documented note about those Khachkar stones from Armenia. First time I learn about it, and this is TE-Mission par-excellance.
My best regards,
Ike

Tue (93504) 2020-07-30 12:35

Hello Piotr,
What a beautiful photo of these stone carvings with wonderful motifs. You captured them really well, superb clarity and sharpness. Excellent work.
Lars

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-07-30 12:40

Piotr, these steles belong to Armenian patrimony. Patterns and Armenian crosses are carved on the stone. The three khackars displayed were maybe exposed to the fire, their bases look burnt. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.

jean113 (28311) 2020-07-30 13:03

Hello Piotr, a very interesting note to help us understand your picture.
I had never heard of a khachkar before.
These are beautiful examples. The carving is very fine.
As Gert has commented, they look as if they have been in a fire.
Thanks for sharing, kind regards, Jean.

Fis2 (171991) 2020-07-30 13:30

Czesc Piotr!
A to dla mnie ciekawostka, pierwszy raz widze takie krzyze.
Znakomicie pokazane, widac tu misterna robote.
Super kadr, kolorki i swiatlo.
Notatka bardzo ciekawa, wyjasnila mi wszystko.
Dziekuje za pokazanie takich unikatow.
Dobrej nocy.
Krzysztof

pierrefonds (115596) 2020-07-30 13:32

Hi Piotr,

THe vegetation is framing well the khachkar. The point of view is showing the details of the khachkar. It is looking like a small shrine. Here in Quebec there are cross at some road intersection. Have a nice day.

Pierre

lousat (140026) 2020-07-30 15:25

Hi Piotr,your post is very interesting,i never seen nothing like that and it's a pity that now these artistics artworks are in danger as you wrote. An excellent capture very sharp and bright,very well done! Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

PaulVDV (63496) 2020-07-30 15:40

Hello Piotr,
I do remember the khachkars at the Sevan Lake.
Perhaps you've taken this photo near the Hayravank Monastery or at the Noraduz cemetery, both on the shores of the lake.
These very large and very heavy memorial stones have wonderful carved decorations.
The colour of the stone is also special.
Best regards, Paul

pajaran (117113) 2020-07-30 21:53

Greeting.
Beautiful Khachkar, well shown with beautiful colors, contrast and good text.
Nice cross and details, nice memorial stone.
I wish you all the best.
Paja.

macjake (98544) 2020-07-30 22:52

Hi Piotr
I enjoy our TE site very much, for many reasons, and this is one of them...learning new things. I have never heard of these before. excellent note and info, very interesting subject.
great post
cheers
craig

jemaflor (148292) 2020-07-30 23:07

Hi Piotr,
Interesting photo with these cross-stones well presented, good quality, sharpness and contrast, tfs.

emka (158900) 2020-07-31 0:09

cześć Piotrze, Widziałam dużo chaczkarów w Armenii. Ciekawa jestem dlaczego te wyglądają jak po pożarze. Ładna kompozycj.

Pozdrawiam MAłgorzata

ifege (49505) 2020-08-01 22:06

Hi Piotr
An interesting trio of these carvings with great detail in the large view.
cheers
Ian

abmdsudi (95869) 2020-08-02 20:01

Hi Piotr
A capture showing a fine piece of the ancient stone carving which brings out the tones & textures nicely. Excellent framing too.
Best regards

jmdias (116547) 2020-08-05 8:47

piotr

amazing these stones, so well sculpted with intricate details. I liked it a lot.marvelous view. curious these dark hues in the base, looks like fire was here.
take care

jorge

mkamionka (75171) 2020-08-21 13:01

Czesc Piotr,
a no wlasnie chcialoby sie w reportazach z podrozy pokazywac powalajace na kolana pejzarze czy oryginalnie pokazana nowoczesna architekture ale w miejscu jak TE nie mniej interesujace sa mieksca ktore nie tyle oszalamiaja uroda ale pokazuja cos interesujacego.
Otoz nigdy o tym nie slyszalem i ogromna ciekawoscia to ogladam.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie,
M