Tir The Armenian Deity Of Knowledge and Writing
Tir is a revered deity in Armenian mythology, embodying the air element and symbolizing masculinity above and femininity below. He was honored with the rainbow, known as the belt of Tir, and initially represented as the bowstring-rainbow of Sagittarius, later anthropomorphized into an archer. Additionally, he was a fortune teller and interpreter of dreams, recording both good and bad deeds of humans and guiding souls to the underworld.
According to legend, individuals passing under the rainbow arch of Tir would transform into the opposite gender, reflecting the Aryan perception of element transfer.
The Armenian word "Ter" (God) is thought to be derived from Tir's name. Tir’s worship day is February 13, coinciding with the feast of Trndez, a purification festival in the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches. Trndez is believed to derive from "Tr" (fire) and "dez" (to you) or from the phrase "Ter ind dez" (God is in you). The festival involves newlyweds jumping over a bonfire, symbolizing fertility and the gender of future children.
Armenian King Artashes I built a shrine for Tir, later the site of the Zvartnots Cathedral. Tir was also known as a learned deity, patron of science, arts, writing, and oratory. His main shrine, Yerazamuyn, was associated with prophetic dreams interpreted by priests.
Tir’s temple, called Erazamoyn, was situated near the city of Artashat. The fourth month of the ancient Armenian calendar, Trē or Tri, was named after Tir. Various geographical features, including the mountain Tirinkatar, the city Tirakatar, and the villages Tre and Tirarich, also bear his name.
During annual feasts, poets competed in creating verses inspired by themes announced by the chief priest, "hramanatar", who held a fire chalice ("hraman"). The best poets received willow wreaths, symbolizing dreams and poetry.
Tir was also identified with the spirit Grogh, meaning "scribe" or "writer", responsible for recording the fates of individuals at birth and watching over their deeds. Grogh was invoked in Armenian curses and the term "grogh" still denotes writers.
During the Hellenistic period, Armenians identified Tir with the Greek gods Apollo and Hermes. Interestingly, Tir shares his name with an Iranian god (Avestan Tishtrya, Modern and Middle Persian Tir), who is also associated with the planet Mercury. This connection suggests an intriguing blend of indigenous Armenian beliefs and external influences.
