Ethnic Features of Armenians

Genealogy of Armenians

To understand the ethnic features of Armenians lets learn more about how and where Armenians came from. In the ancient and middle ages, a number of works on the origin of Armenians have been compiled. However, the work of Movses Khorenatsi is considered the basis of the genealogy of Armenians. According to Movses Khorenatsi, the Armenian origin is attributed to Hayk Nahapet. At that time Movses Khorenatsi didn’t know about the Urartian State and attributed the Urartian monuments of Van region to Ara the Beautiful. Hayk was considered the son of gods. According to Movses Khorenatsi, on August 11, 2492 BC, Hayk defeats the ruler of Mesopotamia Bel and reaffirms his independence. And from this day the Armenian calendar begins. According to the Armenian legend, our nation was named “Hay” after Hayk Nahapet, and our country was named “Hayastan”. And from the name of one of his heirs Aram Nahapet originated names “Armenia” and “Armen”.

But there is also an Arabian legend about the origin of Armenians, according to which Armenians originated from Noah’s sons after the Flood. According to this legend, Noah’s son Japheth had a son Gomer, and then a grandchild Togarmah. One of Togarmah’s sons was the ancestor of the Armenians. Georgians came from the sons of his brother. According to this legend, Armenians, Greeks, Slavs, Franks and Iranian tribes are considered related․

Anthropological Description

The first person to answer the question about the appearance of the people of the Armenian Highland was Movses Khorenatsi. Then we got an idea of ​​the appearance of the Armenians through the Artashesian coins. The features of the kings depicted on the coins are almost no different from the facial features of the modern people of Armenia. Many anthropologists studied the anthropology of Armenians. The reason was that Armenians were the only ones in the region with their own unique physical characteristics.

Various scientists and anthropologists claim that Armenians who belong to the Armenoid race, come from the ancient and middle ages when homo sapiens appeared. In Armenian Highland, it was formed as a southern branch of the Caucasian race and remained unchanged in the territory of its origin. The Armenoid type has survived since its formation, and today its distinctive features are found mainly among Armenians. The Armenoid anthropological type was formed and developed right in the territory of the Armenian Highland.

In Soviet times, according to the classifications of ethnic anthropology, Armenians were considered a Western Asian type, and the Armenoid type was considered to be highly nationalistic. But it should be noted that the name Armenoid was not about nationality, but the geographical location – Armenian Highland.

If we compare Armenian and Caucasian people, we will notice three main characteristics that distinguish Armenians: long profile nose, body hair, flat nape. Another feature is the eyes. The eyes of Armenian people are surrounded by thick hair: thick eyebrows and eyelashes. One more feature is the low position of the corners of the eyes, which gives a sad expression to the eyes of the Armenians. But this is a very common Western Asian feature.

The body features of Armenians are mainly related to the geographic mountain position. That is why Armenians are usually short, with a wide back and strong arm muscles. Hittite eagle noses formed as a result of the lack of oxygen. All this was formed as a result of adaptation to mountain conditions.

Geographical position affects not only physical but also psychological characteristics. The nervous system of mountain people is stronger. They are always ready to confront difficulties.

However, besides all this, it should be noted that there is no Armenian gene. Just as there is no Japanese or Swedish gene. There is a genotype frequency. It shows that for some people genes are frequent in one form and for other people in another. Of course, Armenians have some national characteristics, but they also have a lot in common with other nations of the world. Another thing is that in each nation there are certain gene groups that are more common.

Ethnic symbols

Any ethnic group from the beginning of its formation tries to separate itself from other ethnic groups. And the best way to stan out is to create your own ethnic symbols. Ethnic symbols are mainly taken from the natural world, the past, culture, myths and even the appearance of people. This is the reason that ethnic symbols are considered to be an important component of each nation’s identity and character.

Almost all nations have symbols of their ethnic identity, such as the Statue of Liberty in the USA, the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower in France, the Pop in Italy or Mahatma Gandhi in India. For Armenians, such symbols are Mount Ararat, the creator of Armenian alphabet Mesrop Mashtots, Vardan Mamikonyan as the military leader who brought victory in one of the most important battles in the life of the Armenian people, David of Sassoun as the main hero of an Armenian national epic and the embodiment of Armenian image.

Changing or replacing all of these ethnic symbols with new ones affects the identity of the nation. But if these ethnic symbols are not replaced with new ones over the years, it can lead to the nation’s fragmentation.

There is a widespread belief that ethnic symbols represent the psychological integrity of a nation. In this context, it can be said that they are unique codes, and if we decode them, we can reveal a number of important components of national identities, such as character, mentality, and perception of the world.

The creation of ethnic symbols is a constant and continuous process. If the nation is unable to form or borrow other ethnic symbols in parallel with its ancient symbols, then it affects the existence of an ethnic group.

It should also be noted that Armenians are considered an ethnically homogeneous nation since ethnic minorities make up only 3% of the population.

Armenian names

The name is often a way of emphasizing national features. Armenian names were created out of love for nature, relationships between nations, liberation movements, and wars. Hayk is the first Armenian name. Later, the Armenian state was named after this mythical hero – Hayk, Hayastan.

According to Movses Khorenatsi Hayk was the 5th generation of Noah. He defeated Bel and laid the foundations of the Armenian state. Hayk’s related names are Armenak, Aramayis, Aram, Ara. Mostly the names of historical and mythical heroes dominated. But after the adoption of Christianity, new Bible names began to spread. Over the years the list of names has been replenished with new ones, and many of the old ones have been forgotten.

Armenian names had a clear division between male and female names. Most men are named after gods, winners, and kings. And women are named not only after goddesses and Christian virgins but also flowers, natural phenomena, precious stones.

Along with their names, surnames were also important in the life of Armenians. In ancient times the surname was a way to find out the  son or heir. The meaning of surnames has remained the same for centuries, the only thing that has changed is its structure. 99% of the Armenian surnames are made up of a combination of the patriarchal name and the -yan particle. However, patriarchal names are not always attached to the -yan. Often surnames were connected to a profession (Nerkararyan, Bzhshkyan, Darbinyan). Very rarely you can meet surnames with the -uni particle, which roots are much older.

National values

The mirror of each nation is its values. Armenians, despite many wars, have preserved not only traditions but also their identity, culture, religion, and language. And for centuries they have been able to convey what is called national value.

The invention of the alphabet has played an important role in the preservation of national values. Since 405, Armenians had their own unique alphabet, which became one of the most important national values ​​of Armenia. In Europe, only Armenians and Georgians have their own alphabet. The rest of the nations use either the Latin or Cyrillic alphabet. The invention of the alphabet gave more value to the preservation of the Armenian language and culture.

Armenians have immortalized their cultural values ​​on the Armenian carpet as well. Сarpets have been woven in almost all provinces of historical Armenia. A famous traveler of the 13th century Marco Polo, after his trip to Lesser Armenia, told that Armenians and Greeks once created the most delicate and exquisite carpets.

Taraz, the national Armenian costume, has its unique place in the list of national values.  It reflects the thinking of the people. Taraz not only expressed our identity but also was one of the impulses to preserve that identity, having a centuries-long history and being as rich and diverse as our language.

Speaking of national costumes, we should also mention national song and dance among the national values. The national dance is perhaps the most unique and distinctive cultural element of the nation, an integral part of everyday life and festivities. It is an important way of expressing people’s characteristic lines, lifestyles, and the degree of civilization.

This list of national values ​​can be continued infinitely as the national values of Armenians are history and the passed journey, beliefs, tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

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