The Ancient Armenian Calendar: A Journey Through Time

The ancient Armenian calendar is a fascinating testament to the ingenuity and cultural richness of early Armenian civilization. Unlike modern calendars, it contained unique names for every hour, day, and month, reflecting a deep connection to nature, mythology, and daily life.

A Year in the Ancient Armenian Calendar

The calendar was structured with thirty days in each month and twelve months in a year, totaling 360 days. To account for the discrepancy with the solar year, an additional period of five or six days, known as the month of “avelyatz” (meaning “additional”), was included.

Names of the Months

Most months were named after gods or significant events. For instance:

• Agekan: Named after the God of Fire.
• Kagots: Named in honor of the harvest.

Names of the Days

Each day of the month had its own name, often tied to ancient gods, heroes, or natural objects. Examples include:

• Areg: Meaning “Sun”.
• Astghik: Meaning “Venus”.
• Masis and Aragats: Names of mountains in and around Armenia.

Names of the Hours

The hours of the day were also named, often reflecting natural phenomena:

• Arshaluys: Meaning “Dawn”.
• Mtatsyal: Meaning “Twilight” (literally “darkened”).
• Avakhos: Meaning “Bird’s chirp” (another term for dawn).

Calendar Reform and the Armenian Era

In 552 AD, a significant calendar reform introduced the Armenian Era. This system is still referenced in some church contexts. For example, 2014 AD corresponds to 1461 of the Armenian Era. The exact year change depends on the specific calendar system used, which may not align with January 1st.

Modern Adaptations

Over time, Armenians adopted the names of the seven days of the week and the twelve months that we use today. Historically, days were named after planets or gods, similar to modern English (e.g., “Sunday” and “Monday” named after the Sun and Moon).

In contemporary Armenian, days of the week are often numbered:

• Monday: Known as the “second day of the week” (Yerkushapti or Yergushapti in Western Armenian pronunciation).

Cultural Significance

Sunday, traditionally the start of the workweek, is called “Kiraki” or “Giragi” in Eastern and Western Armenian, respectively. This name derives from the Greek word for “Lord,” reflecting its significance as the “Day of the Lord” in Christian tradition.

The ancient Armenian calendar is more than a timekeeping system; it is a window into the values, beliefs, and daily life of early Armenians. Its intricate structure and meaningful names offer a glimpse into a civilization deeply connected to its environment and spiritual heritage.

Artatsolum

Learn more

1. Raham Asha. “Armenian Calendar (Tōmar Hayocʿ)” 
2. “Ancient Armenian Calendar” 
2. Wikipedia: “Armenian calendar”