Armenian traditional clothing, called Taraz (Armenian: տարազ), is more than just clothes – it represents Armenian history, identity, and art. These outfits, full of color and detail, show the Armenian people’s values, lifestyle, and strong connection to their culture. Every part of Taraz, from the patterns and colors to the type of stitch used, has meaning and helps carry Armenian traditions through generations.
Taraz also showed important social information. In the past, you could tell a person’s social rank, wealth, region, and gender just by looking at what they wore. Traditional clothing was a way for Armenians to remember their shared history, show their skills, and express their customs.
Origins and historical context
Armenian clothing has very old roots, with examples from as early as the Urartu period (900-600 BCE). Back then, people wore tunics and shawls similar to those in Assyria, and decorated themselves with metal jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pins, many of which had carved lion heads. They also wore metal belts, often decorated with scenes and animals thought to offer protection. Dresses were sometimes made from fine white silk with gold embroidery, showing early interest in quality materials and careful handiwork.
Armenian clothing changed over time, influenced by different cultures due to Armenia’s location between East and West. While they borrowed from neighbors, Armenians also added their own ideas to other cultures’ clothing. This exchange led to different styles in each Armenian region, just like the language developed its own dialects. The mix of local and outside influences helped create a style that is both unique and rooted in a long history.
Cultural significance and symbolism
Traditional Armenian dress is full of meaning and symbolism. Every part is selected with care. Wearing Taraz is a way to declare Armenian identity and to keep culture alive. Clothing worked as a kind of language, letting people express who they were and what group they belonged to without using words.
The main colors of Armenian dress stand for the four elements: earth, water, air, and fire. Philosopher Grigor Tatatsi (14th century) wrote that black means earth, white means water, red stands for air, and yellow means fire. Other colors have special meanings too: orange for wisdom, red for bravery, blue for justice, and white for cleanliness. Patterns and symbols in the clothing add more meaning, making each item a story of Armenian belief and culture.
Materials and handmade techniques
Making Armenian traditional clothing required skill and resourcefulness. People mostly used materials they had, like wool, fur, and cotton grown locally. Royal and wealthy people used silk, first brought from China. Soon, Armenians started making their own silk too. Over time, fabrics such as satin, velvet, and cashmere became common, especially among the rich.
Embroidery was an important detail in Taraz, with places like Van-Vaspurakan, Karin, Shirak, Syunik-Artsakh, and Cilicia known for their special designs and pretty colors. Though some old skills have been lost, many are still used, especially by people working in crafts today, which keeps this part of Armenian culture alive.
How has Armenian traditional clothing changed through the years?
Armenian traditional clothing has changed a lot over time. Through ancient times, contact with other cultures, and changing societies, Taraz kept parts of its old look while adding new parts. This shows how Armenian culture is able to hold on to its roots while also taking in new ideas.
Ancient period: 900-600 BCE
The earliest Armenian clothes come from the Urartian period, about 3,000 years ago. People wore tunics with or without shawls, and rich people used creamy silk dresses with gold embroidery. Metal belts and ornaments like necklaces, pins, and jewelry were also common, both as decoration and as protection. This era marks the start of Armenian women’s clothing collections.
Classical period: 600 BCE-600 CE
When the Kingdom of Armenia became more defined (600 BCE-600 CE), men started wearing fitted pants and the “Phrygian cap,” a hat with a forward curve, which became a symbol of this period. Later, it changed to the “balshik,” now used by shepherds and religious leaders. Clothing at this time became more fitted and personal to each region.
Medieval period: 600-1600 CE
From 600-1600 CE, Armenian upper-class clothing often looked like Byzantine and Arab royal dress, including turbans. Still, Armenians kept their unique styles. Women began wearing more head coverings, partly due to Islamic influence, which sometimes required women to cover up further when leaving home. Even while borrowing from other cultures, Armenian clothing remained distinct and recognizable.
19th century transformations
In the 19th century, travelers described Armenian merchants in cities like Istanbul wearing unusual hats and stylish coats, with expensive jewelry and pipes. Wealthy Armenians had elegant clothing mixing tradition and new fashion influences. By the end of the 1800s, European clothing slowly took the place of traditional Armenian costumes in some areas, starting a decline in daily Taraz wearing.
21st century and modern influences
By the 1920s, Armenian traditional clothing was rarely used every day, and by the 1960s, modern clothes had taken over. But Taraz didn’t disappear-it became an important symbol of national pride. Now, Taraz is mostly seen in dances, celebrations, and photo shoots. Some elderly women continue to wear traditional scarves in certain areas, and some women have also started wearing Taraz more regularly. Annual festivals, like Taraz Fest in Yerevan and Stepanakert, help keep the tradition alive, and modern designers often use old patterns in today’s fashion.
What are the main types of Armenian traditional dress?
Armenian traditional clothing is divided mostly into Eastern and Western Armenian styles, each with their own sub-styles and variations. These differences depended on history, geography, and the social group, and often reflected wealth, class, and gender.
Taraz: definition and features
Taraz (Armenian: տարազ) is the name for the full set of Armenian traditional clothes, including garments, jewelry, and accessories used in everyday life and at celebrations. Taraz reflects the Armenian way of life and stands as a symbol of their national identity. While shape and cut were often similar across regions, decoration methods and styles were different. Each area developed its own set of patterns and designs, with common elements like the use of red fabric and colorful decorations being widespread.
Regional variations across Armenia
Taraz looks different in different Armenian areas. Western Armenian style has two main types: one stays close to old traditions (Taron, Sasun, Bardzr Hayk, Vaspurakan, Baghesh), while the other (Sebastia, Kayseri, Cilicia, Kharberd-Tigranakert) shows more Anatolian influence. Both use lots of embroidery and bright colors.
Eastern Armenian clothing can be separated into three main groups: Syunik-Artsakh/Zangezur/Ayrarat; Goghtan (Agulis, Ordubad); and Gandzak/Gugark/Shirak/Javakheti. These clothes often look similar to those worn by other Caucasus groups (Azerbaijanis, Georgians, Dagestanis). Each province and sometimes even each village had its own special details and style.
How do traditional clothes differ for men and women?
Armenian traditional clothing is different for men and women, showing their different roles and customs. Women’s clothes were often more similar across regions but tended to be decorated with more embroidery and jewelry, especially in Western Armenia. Men’s clothes changed more by region, especially in things like hats and coats.
Men’s clothing in Eastern Armenia
Eastern Armenian men’s clothes were practical and layered, with a style shaped by neighboring Caucasian cultures but with unique Armenian touches.
Main items
- Shapik (shirt): Long-sleeved, often with embroidered collars.
- Vartik (pants): Basic pants, usually without decoration; worn by all ages.
- Ballovars/shalvar: Loose over-pants, usually black, blue, or brown.
Belts and sashes
- Belt: Worn over jackets (arkhalugh), belts could be leather or, for formal occasions, silver – especially for weddings.
- A silver belt showed maturity; a gold one showed wealth.
Outerwear
- Arkhalugh: A long, tight jacket, lined and decorated based on status.
- Chukha: Outer jacket, also marked by region and sometimes clan status.
- Burka: Cape-like coat, made of goat hair or felt, mostly worn by shepherds.
Headgear and accessories
- Papakh (fur hat): Different styles by region, with social expectations for when it was worn or removed.
- Accessories included daggers and, for the very wealthy, jewelry.
Men’s clothing in Western Armenia
Western Armenian men’s clothing had similarities with Eastern styles but included regional differences due to Anatolian influence.
Main items
- Shirts with a unique neck opening
- Body pants with special wide strips, often from colorful wool
- Ishlik (upper shirt) with red embroidery
- Vest and short wool jacket (“batchkon”)
Outerwear and headgear
- Different coats for warmth, like the “juppa” and “aba”
- Variety of hats: felt or wool hats, including the white, cone-shaped “koloz” and embroidered “arakhchi”
Women’s clothing in Eastern Armenia
Women’s attire in Eastern Armenia kept close to tradition, with many similarities across regions, though embroidery and jewelry were less common than in the west.
Main Garments
- Halav (red shirt): Worn by girls and young women, with visible pants made of fine fabric under outer clothes.
- Upper shirt (“virvi khalav”) made from red silk or calico and decorated with silver jewelry.
Outerwear and Vests
- Arkhalugh: Long over-dress, often in blue, green or purple; one for daily use, one for special occasions.
- Mintana: Worn over the arkhalugh for special events, with no side seams for a sleeker look.
- Belts made from embroidered silk or leather with silver plates, depending on region.
Headwear and Jewelry
- Before marriage: simple pigtails and headscarves.
- After marriage: Special headpieces with coin ribbons and hanging ornaments, plus scarfs covering the mouth and nose in some regions.
- Jewelry included necklaces and bracelets; some regions had tall, hat-like headpieces for women.
Women’s clothing in Western Armenia
Western Armenian women wore clothes known for vibrant colors and heavy decoration, with more embroidery and jewelry than in the east.
Main Garments and Accessories
- White cotton shirts under one-piece dresses (“ant’ari”).
- For special occasions: “juppa” (festive coat or dress), “salta” or “kurtik” (jackets decorated with embroidery).
- Mezar (apron): Always worn, especially red; very important for weddings.
- Bib (“krckal”): Embroidered neck covering for girls and young women.
Headwear and Jewelry
- Multiple hair braids woven with threads and decorated with silver balls.
- Felt hats covered in silver jewelry, with longer decorative brushes added after marriage.
- Lots of jewelry, especially necklaces, bracelets, and wide belts with large buckles.
Traditional attire in Hamshen and other subregions
Some areas, like Hamshen, developed their own local styles influenced by both Armenian and neighboring groups like the Laz or Pontic Greeks. Typical items included wide pants (later replaced by narrow pants called “zipkas”), outercoats with hoods (“kepenek”), and practical sashes. Headgear included “bashlyk,” and men often carried knives and daggers if they owned weapons.
What are the main symbols and themes in Armenian traditional clothing?
Each part of Armenian traditional clothing has a meaning. Colors, patterns, and even the choice of material all say something about Armenian beliefs and values.
Color meanings
| Color | Represents |
|---|---|
| Black | Earth |
| White | Water, also purity |
| Red | Air, courage, sacrifice |
| Yellow | Fire |
| Apricot orange | Wisdom, common sense |
| Blue | Heavenly justice |
Motifs and embroidery
- Plant motifs, symbolizing nature and fertility
- Geometric shapes (rhombuses, triangles) for balance and harmony
- Objects, buildings (like church domes), and animals or birds for protection or religious meaning
Famous embroidery centers such as Van-Vaspurakan and Cilicia developed their own recognizable styles. Embroidery was done with wool, cotton, silk, gold or silver thread, beads, and buttons.
Fabrics and craft skills
- Wool and fur from local animals; cotton and, later, silk (imported at first, then locally produced)
- For the rich: satin, velvet, cashmere
- Hand skills: embroidery, weaving, sewing, and fabric painting
Many craft techniques, such as special embroidery and sewing, are still taught today in cultural centers and workshops.
What accessories and shoes are worn with Armenian traditional clothing?
Accessories and footwear finish the Armenian outfit. They are both beautiful and practical, adding meaning and showing status, region, or even if you are married.
Belts, sashes, and jewelry
- Men: Leather belts over their jackets, with silver or gold buckles for special occasions (like weddings).
- Women: Silk belts with gold and silver embroidery or leather belts with decorated silver buckles and plates. Ribbons with coins and hanging ornaments were worn on the forehead.
- Common jewelry: Necklaces, headbands, bracelets, rings, and even diadems. Wealthy women especially had large jewelry sets for weddings and parties.
Shoes and socks
- Jorabs and gulpas: Knitted woolen socks, often with colorful patterns; important for dowries and ceremonies.
- Leather shoes, called “trekh,” worn by both men and women.
- In Ottoman times, shoe color sometimes showed ethnic or religious identity, with Armenians at one time required to wear red.
- Boots and moccasins, mostly for men or for certain regions.
Other accessories
- Men: Daggers, pipes, bejeweled rings (especially among the wealthy)
- Women: Krckal (bib), mezar (apron), and lots of hair and head jewelry
All these details help tell the wearer’s story and connect them to the family and village they came from.
Where can you see Armenian traditional clothing today?
Even though Taraz is not used in everyday life, you can still see or experience it in several ways:
Museums and cultural centers
- History Museum of Armenia – Holds and displays old costumes, headpieces, aprons, belts, and other items.
- Lusik Aguletsi House-Museum – The private collection of an artist and ethnographer known for her love of Taraz.
- Museum of National Architecture and Urban Life in Gyumri – Shows costumes from that city and region.
Festivals and performances
- Taraz Fest – Annual celebration of traditional clothing, with displays, dances, and photo ops.
- Dance groups and folk ensembles – Perform in costume at events and concerts.
Modern revivals and designers
- Fashion designers now use old Armenian motifs in new clothing collections.
- Photo studios in Armenia let people dress in Taraz for special shoots.
- Some women are returning to everyday use of traditional elements.
- Zanan Cultural House in Gyumri offers sewing classes and allows visitors to try on and be photographed in traditional outfits from Gyumri, Karin, and Akhaltsikhe.
How is Armenian traditional clothing kept alive and celebrated?
Keeping Taraz alive combines education, community activities, careful preservation in museums, and adapting traditional elements to today’s style.
Community and education
- Workshops and classes teach old sewing and embroidery techniques to new generations.
- Visitors (including students and tourists) can join in fabric painting and Armenian script art lessons at places like Zanan Cultural House.
- Photo sessions in Taraz create a new connection for families to their cultural roots.
Preservation and research
- Museums save historical pieces and allow public viewing and study.
- Documentation of clothing types, materials, and sewing methods is ongoing, with calls for more published research and photo collections of existing costumes.
Linking tradition with new fashion
- Designers add Taraz colors, patterns, and shapes to modern clothes, making them fashionable and relevant.
- Traditional Armenian jewelry, especially silver sets, is popular again, especially for weddings or special occasions.
- Traditional carpet weaving also draws on Taraz colors and patterns, linking different arts.
By mixing education, careful storage, and creativity, Armenians are making sure their traditional clothing stays an important and proud part of their culture today and in the future.
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