The Enduring Legacy of Tir: The Ancient Armenian God of Writing

One of the special representatives of the ancient Armenian temple was the god of writing, Tir (Dir in Western Armenian). The worship of Tir is an intriguing argument in favor of the existence of Armenian writing before the creation of the Armenian alphabet in the 5th century CE, a hundred years after the adoption of Christianity.

Tir: The Writer and Keeper of Deeds

Tir, known as “the Writer” (“Grokh” in Eastern Armenian or “Krokh” in Western Armenian), was revered for his role in keeping track of good and evil deeds and escorting souls to the afterlife. The influence of Tir can still be felt today in Armenia. For instance, the phrase “Grokh Tani!” – “May Grokh take him!” is often used as a curse. Additionally, Armenians swear by the “sun of one’s father” (“Khors arev!”), a formulation that harks back to ancient objects of worship or guardian spirits.

Pagan Influences in Modern Armenian Culture

Although much of the ancient Armenian culture was discarded with the dominance of Christianity, some pagan influences persist. The Armenian language itself reflects this with the word for pagan deities, “chastvats” or “chestvatz,” which is a direct negation of the word “God” (“Astvats” or “Astvatz”) in the Christian context.

Several customs that date back to pre-Christian times are still connected to modern religion in Armenia. For example, during the Feast of the Transfiguration in July (known as “Vardavar”), people throw water at each other. Another custom is jumping over a bonfire during the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in February (also known as Candlemas; “Tyarnuntarach” or “Dyarnuntarach” in Armenian).

Names of Ancient Gods and Goddesses

Many common names among Armenians today are derived from ancient gods and goddesses, such as Aramazd, Vahagn, Anahit, and Astghik. These names serve as a reminder of the rich cultural and religious heritage that continues to influence Armenian society.

Conclusion

The legacy of Tir, the ancient Armenian god of writing, is a testament to the enduring cultural and religious traditions of Armenia. Despite the dominance of Christianity, pagan influences remain woven into the fabric of modern Armenian culture. From linguistic expressions to traditional customs and names, the echoes of ancient beliefs continue to resonate, preserving a connection to Armenia’s rich and diverse history.

Artatsolum

Links and other sources on the topic:

• 1. Mardiros H. Ananikian. “Armenian Mythology”, in The Mythology of All Races, Volume VII. Marshall Jones Company, 1925
• 2. Hacikyan, Basmajian, Franchuk, Ouzounian. The Heritage of Armenian Literature, Vol. 1: From the Oral Tradition to the Golden Age. Wayne State University Press, 1999, pp. 63-73
• 3. Vahan M. Kurkjian. A History of Armenia. AGBU, 1958, pp. 300-310
• 4. Zabelle C. Boyajian. Armenian Legends and Poems. Columbia University Press, 1916, pp. 126-131
• 5. The Armenian Church, Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. “Offering (Matagh)”
• 6. Wikipedia: “Armenian mythology”