View source for Khachkar

{{Short description|Carved, memorial stele bearing a cross}}
{{redirect|Kachkar|the mountain range in Turkey|Kaçkar Mountains}}
{{italic title}}
{{pp-move-indef}}
[[Image:Khatchkar at Goshavank Monastery in Armenia.jpg|thumb|upright|''Khachkar'' at [[Goshavank]], carved in 1291 by Poghos]]
{{Infobox intangible heritage
| ICH         = Armenian cross-stones art. Symbolism and craftsmanship of Khachkars
| State Party = Armenia
| ID          = 00434
| Region      = ENA
| Year        = 2010
| Session     = 5th
| List        = Representative
}}

A '''''khachkar''''' (also spelled as '''''khatchkar''''') or '''Armenian cross-stone'''<ref name="Grove"/> ({{langx|hy|խաչքար}}, {{IPA|hy|χɑtʃʰˈkʰɑɾ|pron}}, խաչ ''xačʿ'' "cross" + քար ''kʿar'' "stone") is a carved, memorial [[stele]] bearing a cross, and often with additional motifs such as [[rosette (design)|rosette]]s, interlaces, and botanical motifs.<ref>Thierry, cover sleeve.{{ref|Thiery|Thierry 1989}}</ref> ''Khachkars'' are characteristic of [[medieval]] [[Christianity|Christian]] [[Armenian art]].<ref name="Grove">The Grove Encyclopedia of Medieval Art and Architecture. — [[Oxford University Press]], 2012. — Vol. 2. — P. 222.''"'Khatck'ar' [Armen.:'cross-stone'] Typical Armenian stone monument, comprising an upright slab (h. c. 1—3 m) carved with a cross design, usually set on a plinth or rectangular base. "''</ref><ref>Gough M., ''The Origins of Christian Art'', London, 1973</ref>

Since 2010, khachkars, their symbolism and craftsmanship are inscribed in the [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists|UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage]].<ref>{{cite web| title= Armenian cross-stones art. Symbolism and craftsmanship of Khachkars |url= http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?lg=en&pg=00011&RL=00434|publisher=UNESCO Culture Sector |access-date=2010-11-20}}</ref>

==Description==
[[File:Stonework at the Cathedral of Saint James in the Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem 3.jpg|thumb|upright|A 15th century khachkar at the Armenian [[Cathedral of Saint James, Jerusalem]]]]
The most common ''khachkar'' feature is a [[cross]] surmounting a [[Rosette (design)|rosette]] or a [[solar symbol|solar disc]]. The remainder of the stone face is typically filled with elaborate patterns of leaves, [[grape]]s, [[pomegranate]]s, and bands of interlace. Occasionally a ''khachkar'' is surmounted by a [[cornice]] sometimes containing [[Bible|biblical]] or saintly figures.

Most early ''khachkars'' were erected for the salvation of the soul of either a living or a deceased person. Otherwise they were intended to commemorate a military victory, the construction of a church, or as a form of protection from natural disasters.<ref>"Armenian Khatchkars" (Editions Erebuni, 1978)</ref>

The most common location for early ''khachkars'' was in a graveyard. However, Armenian gravestones take many other forms, and only a minority are ''khachkars''.

==History==
[[Image:Jugha-khachkar-CIMG1581.JPG|thumb|upright|Two 16th century Julfa ''khachkars'' in [[Etchmiadzin Cathedral|Etchmiadzin]], removed from the [[Julfa, Azerbaijan (city)|Julfa]] graveyard before its [[Khachkar destruction in Nakhchivan|destruction]] by Azerbaijan.]]
[[Image:Khachkars.jpg|thumb|Khachkars appear in large numbers in the [[Noratus cemetery]].]]
The first true ''khachkars'' appeared in the 9th century,<ref name="Grove"/> during the time of [[Armenians|Armenian]] revival after liberation from [[Arab]] rule. The oldest ''khachkar'' with a known date was carved in 879 (though earlier, cruder, examples exist). Erected in [[Garni]], it is dedicated to queen [[Katranide I]], the wife of king [[Ashot I of Armenia|Ashot I Bagratuni]].{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}  The peak of the khachkar carving art was between the 12th and the 14th centuries. The art declined during the [[Mongol invasions of Georgia|Mongol invasion]] at the end of the 14th century. It revived in the 16th and 17th centuries, but the artistic heights of the 14th century were never achieved again. Today, the tradition still remains, and one can still see khachkar carvers in some parts of [[Yerevan]].<ref>Anatoli L. Yakobson. Armenian Khachkars, Moscow, 1986</ref>

About 40,000 khachkars survive today.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}  Most of them are free standing, though those recording donations are usually built into monastery walls. The following three khachkars are believed{{by whom|date=October 2014}} to be the finest examples of the art form:
*One in [[Geghard]], carved in 1213, probably by master ''Timot'' and master ''Mkhitar''
*The Holy Redeemer khachkar in [[Haghpat]] (see gallery), carved in 1273 by master ''Vahram''
*A khachkar in [[Goshavank]], carved in 1291 by master ''Poghos''.

A number of good examples have been transferred to the Historical Museum in [[Yerevan]] and beside the cathedral in [[Echmiadzin]]. The largest surviving collection of khachkars is in Armenia, at [[Noraduz cemetery]] on the western shore of the [[Lake Sevan]], where an old graveyard with around 900 khachkars from various periods and of various styles can be seen. The largest number was formerly located at the [[Armenian cemetery in Julfa]] in the [[Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic]] of [[Azerbaijan]], which contained approximately 10,000 khachkars in 1648.<ref name="SAE">{{cite book|last=Aivazian|first=Argam|title=[[Armenian Soviet Encyclopedia]] Volume IX|publisher=[[Armenian Academy of Sciences]]|year=1983|location=Yerevan|page=550|contribution=Ջուղայի գերեզմանատուն (The Cemetery of Jugha)|author-link=Argam Aivazian}}</ref> The number of khachkars dwindled over time through destruction of various causes until the only 2,700 khachkars remained in 1998,<ref name="BBCreport2">"[http://news.bbc.co.uk/ Armenian intellectuals blast 'barbaric' destruction of Nakhchivan monuments]." ''BBC News'' in ''BBC Monitoring Central Asia''. February 13, 2003. Retrieved April 16, 2007</ref> when the Azerbaijani government embarked on a systematic campaign destroying and leveling the entire medieval cemetery between 1998 and 2005.<ref>{{cite news 
  | title = Tragedy on the Araxes
  | publisher = [[Archaeology (magazine)|Archaeology]]
  | date = 2006-06-30
  | url =http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/djulfa/index.html
  | access-date = 2006-06-30 }}</ref>

==Present==
[[Image:Խաչքարի արհեստանոց.JPG|thumb|right|A modern-day ''khachkar'' carver's workshop in downtown [[Yerevan]].]]
The art of carving khachkars has witnessed a rebirth as a symbol of [[Culture of Armenia|Armenian culture]] in the 20th century. 

There are hundreds of khachkars worldwide, many of which are memorials to commemorate the victims of the [[Armenian genocide]]. Khachkars have been placed in various locations, including at the [[Vatican Museums]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Medieval Armenian cross-stone unveiled in Vatican |url=https://www.aysor.am/en/news/2014/09/20/serzh-sargsyan-vatika/846590 |website=aysor.am |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702131733/https://www.aysor.am/en/news/2014/09/20/serzh-sargsyan-vatika/846590 |archive-date=2 July 2019 |date=20 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The story behind the Medieval Armenian Cross that's now in the Vatican Museums |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBl3ZEyH13k  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/VBl3ZEyH13k |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|publisher=ROME REPORTS in English |date=Mar 29, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Canterbury Cathedral]]'s memorial garden,<ref>{{cite news |title=The Canterbury Khachkar: A Historic Day in the Heart of the Anglican Church |url=http://asbarez.com/178156/the-canterbury-khachkar-a-historic-day-in-the-heart-of-the-anglican-church/ |work=[[Asbarez]] |date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404172740/http://asbarez.com/178156/the-canterbury-khachkar-a-historic-day-in-the-heart-of-the-anglican-church/ |archive-date=4 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=1st Armenian cross-stone dedicated to memory of Armenian Genocide victims unveiled in Great Britain's spiritual center |url=https://armenpress.am/eng/news/966493.html |agency=[[Armenpress]] |date=5 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190305210806/https://armenpress.am/eng/news/966493.html |archive-date=5 March 2019}}</ref> [[St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rodrigues |first1=Marilyn |title=Armenian monument unveiled at cathedral |url=https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/armenian-monument-unveiled-at-cathedral/ |work=[[The Catholic Weekly]] |date=December 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Armenian khachkar unveiled at Sydney's St. Mary's Cathedral (PHOTO) |url=https://news.am/eng/news/486878.html |date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621050835/https://news.am/eng/news/486878.html |archive-date=21 June 2019}}</ref> [[Colorado State Capitol]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Colorado Governor Unveils America's First State Capitol Khachkar |url=http://asbarez.com/136097/colorado-governor-unveils-americas-first-state-capitol-khachkar/ |work=[[Asbarez]] |date=May 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Colorado Governor Unveils First State Capitol 'Khachkar' on Genocide Centennial |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2015/05/15/colorado-khachkar/ |work=[[The Armenian Weekly]] |date=May 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502112433/https://armenianweekly.com/2015/05/15/colorado-khachkar/ |archive-date=2 May 2019}}</ref> [[Temple of Peace, Cardiff]],<ref>{{cite news |title=The Armenian Genocide Monument in Wales |url=https://www.armenian-genocide.org/Memorial.158/current_category.62/memorials_detail.html |work=armenian-genocide.org |agency=[[Armenian National Institute]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228031730/https://www.armenian-genocide.org/Memorial.158/current_category.62/memorials_detail.html |archive-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> [[Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Service of Remembrance |url=http://armenians.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Service_of_Remembrance_Programme_24April2017.pdf |publisher=The Armenian Church & Community in Ireland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114021336/http://armenians.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Service_of_Remembrance_Programme_24April2017.pdf |archive-date=14 November 2017 |page=3 |date=April 2017 |quote=In December 2015 we unveiled the Khachkar Memorial (Stone-Cross) in Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide “MEZ YEGHERN” and in dedication to the massive destruction that took place 102 years ago.}}</ref> and elsewhere. 

According to one count, there are nearly 30 khachkars on public locations in France.<ref>{{cite web|title=Toponymie et Monuments arméniens|url=http://www.acam-france.org/contacts/index_lieux.php|website=acam-france.org|publisher=Association Culturelle Arménienne de Marne-la-Vallée (France)|language=fr}}</ref> Some 20 khachkars are located in [[Poland]],<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Chaczkar stanął w Białymstoku|magazine=Awedis|issue=48|year=2021|language=pl|page=2}}</ref> which is home to an important [[Armenians in Poland|Armenian community]] since the [[Late Middle Ages]].

Armenian khachkars have been acquired or donated to many museums or temporarily represented at significant exhibitions all around the world such as at the [[British Museum]], the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]] or the Special Exhibition of the [[National Museum of Ethnology (Japan)|National Museum of Ethnology]], Osaka, Japan.<ref>{{cite web|title=Khachkar (Stone Cross)|url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/478063|language=en}}</ref><ref>[https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1977-0505-1 British Museum Collection]</ref>

==Endangered khachkars==
A large portion of khachkars, which were created in historic Armenia and surrounding regions, in modern times are now located in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Iran. As a result of systematic eradication of khachkars in [[Turkey]] since the [[Armenian Genocide]], today only a few examples survive. These few survivors are not cataloged and properly photographed. Thus, it is difficult to follow up with the current situation.<ref>[[Sirarpie Der-Nersessian|Der Nersessian S.]] Armenian Art, Paris, 1978.</ref> One documented example of such destruction took place in the [[Armenian Cemetery in Jugha]], in [[Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic|Nakhchivan]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://iwpr.net/?p=crs&s=f&o=261191&apc_state=henh | title = Azerbaijan: Famous Medieval Cemetery Vanishes | work = Caucasus Reporting Service, [[Institute for War and Peace Reporting]] |date=April 19, 2006 | access-date = 2007-04-15 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = World Watches In Silence As Azerbaijan Wipes Out Armenian Culture | publisher = [[The Art Newspaper]] | date = 2006-05-25 | url = http://www.theartnewspaper.com/article01.asp?id=281 | access-date = 2006-05-25 | archive-date = 2006-09-11 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060911033444/http://www.theartnewspaper.com/article01.asp?id=281 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news  | title = Tragedy on the Araxes | publisher = [[Archaeology (magazine)|Archaeology]] | date = 2006-06-30 | url =http://www.archaeology.org/online/features/djulfa/index.html | access-date = 2006-06-30 }}</ref> The government of [[Azerbaijan]] has denied claims that members of the [[Azerbaijani Armed Forces]] smashed the khachkars with sledgehammers in December 2005.<ref>{{Cite news| last = Castle| first = Stephen| title = Azerbaijan 'flattened' sacred Armenian site| work = Belfast Telegraph| access-date = 2018-05-14| date = 2006-05-30| url = https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10731370.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180514213758/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-10731370.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2018-05-14}}</ref> The destruction of khachkars was despite a 2000 [[UNESCO]] order demanding their protection, in what has been termed "the worst [[cultural genocide]] of the 21st century."<ref name="LA Times">{{cite news |last= Womack|first= Catherine|date=7 November 2019|title=Historic Armenian monuments were obliterated. Some call it 'cultural genocide'|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2019-11-07/armenian-monuments-azerbaijan|newspaper=LA Times}}</ref><ref name="The Guardian">{{cite news |last= Sawa|first= Dale Berning|date=1 March 2019|title=Monumental loss: Azerbaijan and 'the worst cultural genocide of the 21st century'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/mar/01/monumental-loss-azerbaijan-cultural-genocide-khachkars|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

One source says that khachkars are being damaged, neglected, or moved in Armenia.<ref name="Khachkar.am">{{cite web|url=http://khachkar.am/en/endangered.php |title=Endangered Khachkars |publisher=Khachkar.am |access-date=2012-05-06}}</ref> Reasons cited for moving these khachkars include; decoration, to create new holy places, or to make space for new burials.

== Types ==
'''Amenaprkich''' ({{langx|hy|Ամէնափրկիչ}}, meaning ''Holy Saviour'') is a particular type of khachkar in which on the cross is a depiction of the crucified [[Christ]]. Only a few such designs are known, and most date from the late 13th century.{{Cn|date=January 2021}} One of the few such surviving khachkars today is located in the [[Sevanavank|Sevanavank monastery]], which also depicts scenes from the Bible.<ref>{{Cite web |last=vahemart |date=2012-01-25 |title=Хачкар Айрапета и Ребекки (Всеспаситель) в Севанаванке |url=https://vahemart.livejournal.com/117481.html |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=Vahe Martirosyan's blog}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Dadivank-khachkars2.jpg|13th century Armenian-inscribed double khachkars of the Memorial Bell-Tower of the [[Dadivank Monastery]]
Image:Khachkar.jpg|A khachkar behind the cathedral in Echmiadzin, Armenia. Place of origin is unknown.
Image:Khachkar Beirut.jpg|A modern khachkar at Sourp Kevork church- Beirut, Lebanon (2016)
File:Khachkar1 Gyumri.jpg|in [[Gyumri]]
Image:Khachkar-raffi kojian-IMG 0513.JPG|Khachkar at [[Haghartsin Monastery]], near [[Dilijan]], Armenia.
Image:Haghpat Amenaprkich.jpg|The ''Holy Savior'' khachkar in [[Haghpat]] (1273)
Image:Khachkars at Makaravank Monastery, Armenia.JPG|Various khachkars at [[Makaravank Monastery]] in Armenia
Image:Khachkar in Novi Sad.jpg|Khachkar in [[Novi Sad]], [[Serbia]]
Image:Amenaprgich khatchkar at Sourp Nshan church in Beirut.JPG|A modern Amenaprkich-type khatchkar with two others at the ''Sourp Nshan Church'' in downtown [[Beirut]], [[Lebanon]] (2001)
Image:Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia - khatchkar.jpg|A modern khackhar at the [[Armenian Catholicossate of Cilicia]] in [[Antelias]], Lebanon
File:Armenian 'khachkar'.jpg|Armenian Khachkar
File:Armenian 'khachkar' 1.jpg|Armenian Khachkar
File:NYC Khatchkar Metropolitan.JPG|Khackar in [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]]
</gallery>

==See also==
{{commons category|Khatchkars}}
*[[Değirmenaltı, Turkey|Değirmenaltı]] - village in Turkey containing preserved khachkars 
*[[Trei Ierarhi Monastery]] - a 17th-century church in [[Iași]], [[Romania]], decorated with Khachkar motifs
*[[High cross]] - Monumental Celtic crosses.
*[[Preaching cross]] - Monumental crosses used as open air pulpits
*[[Hill of Crosses]] - A hill in Lithuania covered with ornamental crosses.

==References==

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Other sources===
* {{Note|Thierry}} {{Armenian Art 1989}}

==External links==
*[http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/en/RL/armenian-cross-stones-art-symbolism-and-craftsmanship-of-khachkars-00434 Armenian cross-stones art. Symbolism and craftsmanship of Khachkars]
*[http://www.virtualani.org/por/index.htm Photos of 15th/16th CE khatchkars near Bitlis, Turkey]
*[http://www.djulfa.com/ Djulfa Virtual Memorial and Museum]

{{Intangible Cultural Heritage in Armenia}}

{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Azerbaijan]]
[[Category:Armenian art]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Armenia]]
[[Category:Stones]]
[[Category:Monumental crosses]]
[[Category:Christian symbols]]
[[Category:Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]]