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Khatchkars - "Stone Cross"
Khatchars are everywhere in Armenia; in and around churches, on streets and roads, and out in the countryside. There are tens of thousands all over. Some characteristics of khatchars are that they are seldom symmetrical left to right or top to bottom. This symbolizes the assymetry of the world. The carved background patterns (similar to celtic knots) on many khatchkars have no beggining or end - symbolizing the eterenity of the universe. And, finally, a common practice was to break a small piece of the carving with a chisel. This symbolizes the idea that nothing on earth is perfect. Khatchkars date from at least the middle ages if not earlier. .
About Me
- Bob Lawrence-Markarian
- I am Bob Lawrence-Markarian . In 2012 I will return to Armenia (Hayastan in the language) to reconnect, meet old friends and help build homes for the Fuller Center for Housing in Armenia (an offshoot of Habitat for Humanity). My grandmother, great-aunt, great-uncle and great-grandmother were the only members of my immediate family to escape the genocide of 1915-1923. Although they lived in Istanbul, Turkey for several generations, I will go back to historic Armenia, the country where our ancestors were born.
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