"Khndzoresk" type rugs are characterized by a design consisting of a square ornament enclosing a symbol of the sun and eternity, along with eight variations of a dragon that surrounds it. The design also includes motifs originating from the corners of the ornament. Along the vertical axis of the ornament, there is a "Tree of Life" depicted, either in a multi-sided frame or without one, shown in one or two rows. There are also ornamental pieces with a single design. The term "Khndzoresk" has been internationalized and is widely accepted by the majority of researchers. This is due to the fact that the village of Khndzoresk is a traditional center of carpet weaving, especially for this type of carpet. It is mainly characteristic of the carpet weaving centers in Artsakh, Syunik, and Gugark.
In the variations from Syunik, the central motif, the swastika, is formed by the intersection of a snake and birds, with the surrounding dragons being multicolored, each color symbolizing the nature of the respective dragon. In the center of Khndzoresk shields, there are decorative patterns symbolizing a turtle, on which swastikas are depicted. In Artsakh, it is said that these carpets depict a scene in which "...the dragon has abducted the girl, and the boy is looking for her." The word "looking for" indicates that the girl is concealed within a certain ornament, which could be the turtle, a symbol of the goddess Astghik during the pagan period. As for the "boy," he is either represented by the Sun god Mihr, symbolized by the swastika, or by the central figure of the ornament, the dragon-slayer Vahagn.
In the more isolated settlements of Syunik, a very ancient version of the Khndzoresk type was created, where the central dragon motifs end with an element resembling the posture of mountain goats. Just like the swastika formed by the intersection of a bird and a snake, this ornament is also composed of two different animal motifs — a dragon and a goat.
"Khndzoresk" carpets were woven in all the settlements of Syunik, Artsakh, and Gugark. There are also isolated workshops in Tavush (Choratan, Navur, Pravakar, Sevkar, Khastarak, Gandzakar), Lori (Dovegh, Jujivan, Jojkan, Vardablur), and even in Ayrarat (Kanakerr, Old Kond, Garni, Oshakan). In these separate centers, one can find specimens that are quite distinct from the typical Khndzoresk designs found in Syunik and Artsakh. This shows that the spread of this type began a long time ago, during the period when carpet weaving was being mastered and becoming widely popular. The "Khndzoresk" carpets should rightfully be considered one of the earliest shield-like designs with vivid totemic and cosmogonic motifs connected to tribal origins.
Source:
- Avanesian L., The Symbolic Meaning of Armenian Carpet Designs (Dissertation), Yerevan, 2014
- Tatikian V., The Clan Carpets of Artsakh, Yerevan, Lusabats, 2004
- Kyurtyan H., The Dragon in Armenian Carpets, Bazzmavep, 1931