The Birth of Vahagn: An Armenian Legend

The heavens and the earth were in the torments of their homelands, The crimson of the seas was in the suffering of their homelands, From the water arose a scarlet reed, From its throat arose a smoke, From its throat a flame arose, From that fire a baby arose, And his hair was of fire, His beard was of fire, And, like the sun, his face was beautiful.

(From the Song “The Birth of Vahagn”, History of Armenia by M. Khorenatsi)

Vahagn: The Progenitor of Armenians

The Armenians of ancient Armenia considered Vahagn to be their ancestor. The term “ancestor” here does not merely imply a temporal predecessor but signifies a progenitor. The great Armenian scientist, mathematician, and astronomer Anania Shirakatsi, who lived two centuries after Movses Khorenatsi, also attested to Vahagn as the progenitor of the Armenians. According to legend, Vahagn took straw from the forefather of the Assyrians, Barsham (Bel’s ancestor), and dropped it, forming the “path of the straw thief” (the Milky Way).

Vahagn’s Popularity and Legacy

The 20th-century historian Leo described Vahagn as an original Armenian ancient god who enjoyed great popularity. Over time, Vahagn’s place in religious beliefs evolved, but he remained one of the most beloved folk gods. Among the ancient Germans, the Scandinavian Odin was represented by Wotan (Wodan, Wôtan, Woden, or Wodan), and there are intriguing parallels between Vahagn and Odin.

The Song of Vahagn

Movses Khorenatsi noted that he heard the song “About the Birth of Vahagn” accompanied by a pandyrn (an Armenian musical instrument). The song described Vahagn’s battles with dragons and his heroic exploits, similar to those of Hercules. Khorenatsi mentioned that Prince Vahagn was deified, with a full-length statue in Georgia where sacrifices were made. Vahagn’s cosmic image as a giant with enchanting beauty made him the most enduring of all Armenian gods.

Vahagn in the Christian Pantheon

A thousand years later, Vahagn preserved his existence not only in the pagan but also in the Christian pantheon. His Christian counterparts were St. Gevorg (George the Victorious, the dragon-slayer) and St. Karapet, the patron saint of the brave and miracle workers. The monastery of St. Karapet in Mush was founded on the site of the former temple of Vahagn.

Vahagn’s Symbolism

The famous saying of Agathangelos, “May the courage of brave Vahagn descend upon you,” certifies that Vahagn was the god of strength and war. The expression “fiery red youth” in the song symbolizes both the deity of the sun and fire and the national description of the Armenian hero’s appearance. This description is echoed in the epic “David of Sasun,” connecting the Sasun heroes with the family of Hayk.

The Legacy of Vahagn and Odin

The history of the Sasun heroes begins with Berd-Kapotin, Kaput-kokh, or the fortress of Aykaberd, and ends with the “door of Mher” near Aykavank in Van. The history of Odin, the descendant of Vahagn, arose in Scandinavia and, through Armenia and the Song of Vahagn, returns to the same environment. The exploits of Vahagn, the symbol of the sun and light, were perceived by ancient Armenians as the personification of freedom and rebirth, just as the ancient Scandinavians and Germans perceived the god Odin.

“Rejoice, Armenia of thousands of vishaps, Sun of salvation, you have seen your Vahagn.” (I. Ioannisian, “The Birth of Vahagn”)

“Rejoice, Scandinavia and Germany of thousands of vishaps, you have seen the Sun of salvation, Odin or Vodin.”

Artatsolum

Based on the research of rock paintings of Armenia Prof. G. Vaganyan, Ph.D. in Art V. Vaganyan