ՀԻՆ ԱՇԽԱՐՀԻ ՀԱՅԿԱԿԱՆ ԳՈՒՅՆԸ. ՍՏՐԱԲՈՆ, ՈՐԴԱՆ ԿԱՐՄԻՐ ԵՎ ՀԱՅԿԱԿԱՆ ԿԱՐՄԻՐԻ ՔԱՂԱՔԱԿՐԹԱԿԱՆ ԻՄԱՍՏԱԲԱՆՈՒԹՅՈՒՆԸ

Saro Saroyan

24.07.2026

The article analyzes the role of the color red as a defining cultural code and symbol of prestige in Armenian civilization across more than two millennia.
Key aspects explored in the work include:

Ancient Testimonies (Strabo): Between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD, Strabo recorded the established term Ἀρμένιον χρῶμα ("Armenian color"), associated with the mineral sandix, which was used to produce high-quality red pigment. The author emphasizes that the ancient concept of "purple" did not denote a modern violet-purple shade, but rather a broad spectrum of prestigious, costly crimson-red dyes.
Medieval Sources and Vordan Karmir: 9th–10th-century accounts (such as those by Al-Istakhri and Al-Muqaddasi) describe the dye qirmiz, derived from Armenian cochineal (vordan karmir). This elite dye was supplied for royal and ecclesiastical vestments across Eurasia, laying the foundation for international color terminology (giving rise to words like crimson, carmesí, and kermes).
Symbolism of the Tsirani Color: The Armenian color tsirani (apricot) and traditional royal regalia fit into this same system of warm crimson and orange-red hues. Reflecting the shades of a ripe Armenian apricot with its blushing pinkish-crimson tint, it serves as a natural extension of the Armenian red palette rather than a variation of violet.
Civilizational Continuity: A comparative analysis of ancient and medieval sources demonstrates a continuous historical tradition rather than coincidental overlaps. Red emerged as an enduring code of Armenian culture, symbolizing craftsmanship, wealth, and high dignity throughout global history.