Armenian textile art is a colorful and lasting part of the country’s culture, carefully passed down and improved over thousands of years. More than just weaving fabric, each piece tells the story of Armenian people-sharing their beliefs, daily routines, and history. Whether looking at the complex patterns in ancient carpets or the fine details in modern embroidery, Armenian textiles use symbols, a wide range of techniques, and show an impressive history that covers more than 3,000 years.
This craft represents Armenian life itself-how Armenians have stayed connected, grown, and changed while holding on to what makes them who they are. Even through tough times, like the trials of 1915 that almost ended many traditions, the heart of Armenian textile art survived. Immigrants preserved it and brought new ideas, making sure that even if the homeland was left behind, its story carried on in every fiber.
Main traits of Armenian textile traditions
Armenian textile art stands out because of its creative designs and the strength of its makers. Symbolism is at the center. Patterns such as the eight-pointed star, the sideways “S”, dragons, and crosses aren’t just pretty-they have deep meanings related to faith, safety, and identity. Bright colors, especially the famous Armenian red dye (vordn karmir), help define how these pieces look.
The careful skills used are just as important. From tightly-knotted carpets to precise embroidery and detailed lace, Armenian artists show great patience and talent. Many rugs even include names and dates woven into them, turning each one into a small piece of history and making them special as personal records.
History and origins
Armenian textile work goes back to the early first millennium B.C., with a continuous tradition of making textiles. This grew in a region known for its old civilizations and many cultures. Sometimes, only burned pieces of fabric have been found at ancient Armenian sites, but even these show how deep the roots go.
One of the oldest proofs of Armenian woven art is the Pasyryk carpet-from the 5th to 3rd century B.C.-found in Scythian burial mounds and kept at the Hermitage Museum. Its design is very similar to known Armenian patterns, and the type of weaving has a history in Armenia, all showing likely Armenian origins. Accounts from Greeks, Arabs, and travelers like Marco Polo described Armenian rugs, confirming their long-standing fame.
What types of Armenian textiles exist?
Armenian textile art comes in many forms. These include the gentle beauty of embroidery, the bold look of carpets, and the useful but stylish traditional clothing. Each type is unique and shows Armenian creativity and attention to detail.
Armenian embroidery: Patterns and methods
Armenian embroidery is well-known for its detailed needlework. It has a long history and was especially important during the Middle Ages. Patterns in Armenian embroidery tell stories-using images of plants, geometric shapes, animals, and sometimes pictures of buildings or everyday objects. These designs are more than decoration; they show spiritual views and the many differences between regions.
Different areas developed their own styles, usually named after the city or region they came from, such as “Van’s thread” or “Aintab’s thread.” For instance, Marash embroidery is known for its bright geometric and flower patterns on dark backgrounds with a special “woven” stitch. This technique and others like the Ayntap stitch (which removes threads to form grids) set Armenian embroidery apart. Whether simple or fancy-using gold, silver, or pearls-embroidery was made by nearly every Armenian family, often over the winter, and used to decorate towels, bags, socks, scarves, and church items.
Armenian carpets and weaving
Weaving rugs is one of Armenia’s oldest crafts. The Pasyryk carpet illustrates the early skill in this area. Armenian carpets generally fall under the Caucasian style, known for their bright colors and strong geometric patterns. Sometimes, small animals or figures are tucked into the designs.
Main symbols in these carpets include the eight-pointed star, sideways “S”, dragons, and crosses. “Dragon” carpets from Artsakh (Karabagh) are especially famous. What’s interesting is that some weavers added their own names and messages to the rugs, which helps experts study and identify them. Examples include the Kohar carpet from 1700 and many more from the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, carpet making in Armenia is still active, with people returning to older styles and natural dyes after a period when factory dyes were more common.
Tapestry and felt work
Besides carpets and embroidery, Armenian textile tradition also covers tapestries and felt pieces. These are seen in things like altar curtains, large textile panels often made by mixing printing and embroidery. In some cases, felt pieces were added for decoration, as seen in textiles from Lake Van. Some altar curtains were made in places like India based on Armenian patterns, showing Armenian textile art also involved other cultures.
Traditional dress and accessories
Armenian traditional clothing is another key part of its textile story. These outfits reflect different regions, historical times, and social status. Not many old costumes have survived, but the 19th century left many examples. Key features include long skirts, striped or scalloped edges, and bright trims-used today by Armenian dance groups or shown in museums.
Accessories like scarves and kerchiefs were often decorated with tiny lace flowers, a sign of Armenian lace-making skill (called janyak or oya). Beaded purses often included messages, and some clothing-like wedding dresses-were used for more than just one day, showing the value placed on practical but beautiful clothing. These costumes and accessories sent a clear message of cultural pride and identity.
Main techniques and materials in Armenian textiles
Strong Armenian textile traditions depend on natural materials and careful methods. Knowledge was passed down through families, allowing artists to make complex designs and use colors that last.
Natural dyes and fibers
The colors of Armenian textiles almost always came from nature. The famous red dye, vordn karmir, was especially sought-after. Using natural dyes meant the colors stayed bright for centuries, as seen in the Pasyryk carpet, which is still colorful after 2,500 years.
Armenia’s landscape provided wool from sheep and plants for dyes. The volcanic ground also gave important minerals like copper, tin, and alum. These minerals helped the dyes stay fixed in the fibers. Besides wool, silk, linen, and cotton were used for fancier clothes and church items, sometimes with gold and silver threads.
Hand weaving, knotting, and stitches
Armenian textile art relies on a range of hand-made techniques. Carpets are woven and knotted by hand, with the density and type of knot affecting their look and durability. This long history of tufted carpet weaving shows great technical skill.
For embroidery and lace, Armenian creators used a variety of stitches-some simple, some very detailed. For example, Marash embroidery uses a distinctive “woven” stitch, while Ayntap embroidery removes threads to form a grid for very detailed designs. Armenian lace (janyak/oya) is mainly made with a needle, an old practice shared between generations of women. There are many unique stitches, including those from Aintab, Vaspurakan, Bitlis, and Kharpert, which show how expert the makers were.
Some added their own flair. For instance, at the start of the 20th century, Armenians used silk cocoons for embroidery-a local solution, turning leftover materials into art.
Different regional styles in Armenian textile art
Styles in Armenian textile art often reflect the region where they appeared. Each style has its own look, depending on what materials were nearby and the traditions of the people living there.
Ourfa, Sebastia, Marash, Van, and Ayntap styles
- Ourfa: Known for flat embroidery with colored silk threads, sometimes with gold, on silk or cotton. Patterns are usually flowers. Women used these techniques for home cloths or gifts to the church.
- Sebastia: This style is rich in geometric and flower designs with decorated borders. The key stitch is the “Sebastia-Swazi” (also called “Tars” or backward) stitch, where the shape is formed from under the fabric. Different threads were used based on what the item was for.
- Marash: Famous for its “woven” stitch that goes over the same spot several times. Marash embroidery uses thin cotton threads on cloth or velvet, creating colorful geometric and flower patterns. It’s especially meaningful because the city’s Armenian population suffered during the Genocide, making the craft a symbol of remembrance.
- Van: Among the oldest styles, not just from Van but also used in other regions. It’s noted for fine lace with ancient designs, showing a connection to old Armenian beliefs and nature.
- Ayntap: Known as the most detailed style, Ayntap uses a threading method where threads are removed to make grids for complicated geometric designs like diamonds or squares. It takes a lot of care and precision.
Local rug weaving and embroidery
Besides these main styles, there are many village-level and local variations, especially in carpet weaving and embroidery. The Karabagh area, for instance, is known for special rug types-like those with sunburst, eagle, cloudband, and Lesghi star designs. Armenian Kazak rugs can be grouped into types based on patterns and regions.
Local differences often came from what materials were on hand, influence from nearby cultures, and each community’s traditions. Usually, older family members taught these skills, keeping the local uniqueness alive through generations.
How does Armenian textile art shape culture and identity?
Armenian textile art is more than just decoration; it is a key way Armenians show their culture and who they are. It holds spiritual, historic, and communal meaning and is a physical link to their past-even more important for those living outside Armenia.
The meaning behind patterns and colors
Designs in Armenian textiles often have hidden meanings. Common elements like the cross, eight-pointed star, and sideways “S” are tied to early Christianity and older myths. Dragons in carpets refer to mythical creatures from old stories, representing links to water and the land.
Geometric shapes, plants, and color choices-like the deep red vordn karmir-all stand for ideas such as nature, fertility, and protection. In times when expressing faith openly was risky, symbols could be disguised (like turning a cross into a wine glass in a carpet). The patterns themselves are a visual language sharing the history and beliefs of Armenian people.
Use in ceremonies, religion, and daily life
Textile art is a part of every level of Armenian life. In churches, special embroidered garments, altar cloths, and banners tell religious stories and honor sacred events. The ceremonial banner from 1448, showing saints, is a well-known example.
Everyday items, like clothing, tablecloths, or dowries, were often decorated. Making embroidery was a common activity, especially for women, giving families a way to pass on skills and traditions. Wedding dresses-which were worn for many special events, not just the wedding-show the importance placed on quality and meaning.
For Armenians who moved away from their homeland, textiles became a way to keep their memories and identity alive. Items like the beaded bag given to orphan Frances Paelian, with the words “To All My Loved Ones Be Happy,” show how much meaning these items can hold.
Examples and care of Armenian textile heritage
Much of Armenian textile art is preserved in museums and through experts’ efforts. These priceless objects not only show the makers’ skills but also help teach about Armenian history and culture.
Historic carpets, tapestries, and clothing
The most famous example is the Pasyryk carpet – possibly the world’s oldest tufted carpet. Its colorful, detailed patterns and animal images show high skill from centuries ago. Many later carpets also include handwritten notes or names.
In embroidery, the 1448 ceremonial banner at Etchmiadzin shows pictures of saints in great detail. Many older altar cloths, priestly outfits, and other items are decorated with gold thread, pearls, or gemstones. Not much everyday clothing from before the 1800s survives, though a 13th-century child’s dress from Ani does exist.
Where these textiles are kept and maintained
Major collections help protect and share this art today. The Armenian Museum of America in Massachusetts has the largest collection in North America, including hundreds of rugs, dozens of authentic clothes, and thousands of textile objects. Curators regularly display and explain these collections.
Other valuable collections are in Armenian monasteries-Etchmiadzin, Jerusalem, Venice, and Vienna-holding church clothes and altar pieces. Museums in Yerevan-like the State Historical Museum and Folk Art Museum-also have important collections.
However, the formal study of Armenian textiles is still developing, as many collections aren’t fully cataloged. Still, interest is rising, and workshops and teaching efforts are growing. Schools like TUMO Studios in Yerevan now teach traditional embroidery methods to keep the knowledge alive.
Current trends and modern Armenian textile artists
Armenian textile art today is growing again, not just as an old-world craft but as a fresh, creative practice. Modern artists revisit traditional techniques, use old symbols in new ways, and experiment with updated ideas-making sure this heritage stays lively and relevant.
Bringing back old techniques and new uses
Over the past decades, more people have become interested in traditional methods, wanting to save old knowledge, find out more about their roots, and use these skills in a new context. Artists do more than copy old styles-they mix the past and present, sometimes changing colors or where the design appears to make original, modern work.
There’s a stronger focus on making these older skills easy to learn for everyone. Online classes and beginner kits help Armenians wherever they live to pick up crafts that were once taught in families or workshops. This helps make sure that special stitches and patterns aren’t lost again.
Some notable Armenian textile artists and groups
- Emma Welty: Emma taught herself janyak (needlelace) using diagrams and books, later making it the topic of her thesis. She now teaches janyak and Marash embroidery, and sometimes mixes the old style with modern materials or images, connecting tradition and new ideas. Her work encourages using hand techniques to save culture and support eco-friendly habits.
- Lizzy Vartanian: Lizzy learned embroidery as a child from her Armenian mother. She now combines old patterns with new art, stitches over family photographs, and offers embroidery kits with background info, making learning Armenian stitches easy worldwide.
- Araks Mirzoyan: Trained as a journalist, Araks started her own embroidery brand, Shogher. She connects classic motifs (like Marash) with updated looks and runs online courses about each style’s history and techniques.
- Ali: Ali began embroidery during the pandemic, mixing it with printmaking. Her screen prints use janyak and carry messages about hope and justice. She sees embroidery as exploring cultural roots and often holds community workshops to keep traditions going.
These and other artists, like Mariam Gharibyan, work to keep Armenian textile skills alive-not just as a museum piece but as living culture, renewed and reshaped by every new hand.
Where can you experience or learn more about Armenian textile art?
There are many ways to connect with Armenian textile art today-whether in museums, by taking classes, or visiting special exhibits and workshops. These options are open to beginners, researchers, and anyone interested in this lasting tradition.
Main museums and galleries
In Armenia, places like the Yerevan State Historical Museum and the Yerevan Museum of Folk Art show many carpets, embroidery pieces, and costumes. These exhibits offer a full look at Armenian textile history. Outside Armenia, the Armenian Museum of America has more than 3,000 textile items-including hundreds of signed carpets and real garments. Other collections in Armenian monasteries in Jerusalem, Venice, and Vienna also hold important pieces, though not all are displayed or catalogued for the public.
Workshops, shows, and tours
- Workshops: Modern artists such as Emma Welty, Lizzy Vartanian, and Araks Mirzoyan teach both online and in person. They focus on basic stitches but also explore more involved patterns. Many participants bring family textiles, sharing stories and learning together. Some artists make kits with instructions and background, making it easier for anybody to start.
- Educational Courses: At places like TUMO Studios, students can take ongoing classes in Armenian embroidery, taught by specialists. These programs help train a new group of artists who will carry the tradition forward.
- Exhibitions: Museums like the Armenian Museum of America regularly display parts of their collection. Other museums and Armenian cultural organizations around the world sometimes feature special exhibits on textiles.
- Cultural visits: Tours in Armenia or in areas with many Armenians often include stops at museums, workshops, or historical places tied to textiles.
Whether you prefer studying in a museum, joining a class, or seeing what modern artists are making, exploring Armenian textile art today offers a powerful way to experience a rich culture through craft-showing that each piece, stitch by stitch, continues telling the Armenian story.
Leave a comment