Yeghishes

Yeghishes was a Phoenix-like creature from ancient Armenian mythology, often associated with the sun. It is said to have originated in the Armenian-speaking cultures of the Near East. The mythology of Yeghishes dates back to the 6th century BC.

According to legend, Yeghishes was a magnificent creature that emerged from the belly of a meteor. This creature was described as having the head and body of a lion, the feathers of a bird, and the fiery plumage of a phoenix. Its strength was said to be so great that the sun itself relied on Yeghishes for guidance across the firmament. The creature was a powerful symbol for the Armenians who believed that Yeghishes would ensure a successful harvest, an end to wars, and a lasting reign for their rulers.

The mythology surrounding Yeghishes shares similarities with the mythological concept of the winged lion and other otherworldly beings found in various ancient Near Eastern cultures. Although the influence of Zoroastrianism may have played a role in shaping Yeghishes, Yeghishes was primarily associated with the honor of the lesser gods. Yeghishes played a vital role in supplying supernatural omen readers and kings with invaluable astronomical omens.

In the modern era, scholars have seen Yeghishes as part of an animated exchange about constellations and animals that roamed the Armenian world. These cultural associations have expanded past the textual record and more into broader visual landscapes of the symbolic interplay between light sources, fire, sun, and creatures that reside within an immersive metaphysical setting.