Pages: 345-357 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.55086/sp245345357

Tsovinar is the foremother of the heroes of the Armenian epic “Sasna Tsrer” (“Daredevils of Sassoun”), which was formed during the period of Arab invasions of Armenia in the 7th—9th centuries and the people’s struggle against the caliphate. There is no comprehensive study about her as the most archaic character of the epic, meanwhile, a fresh interpretation based on historical-comparative analyses and retrospective reconstruction can reveal the entire process of evolution of her multi-layered image.
The prototype of Tsovinar is rooted in the primordial Chaos and the Heavenly Sea. Then, turning into the personification of thunder and lightning, Tsovian, over time, transforms into the water goddess Nar. Her next evolution is Nuard, the wife of King Ara the Handsome, with whom they constitute the feminine and masculine principles. Tsovinar also goes back to the goddesses Anahit and Astghik. All those manifestations are reflected in archeological evidence.
In the Christian Middle Ages, mythological characters merged into Great Mother Tsovinar — beautiful, wise, selfless, and invincible, getting her strength from nature. In the epic, she is the daughter of king Gagik. Her descendants built an indestructible fortress and determined the world order, defending their homeland and restoring its independence.
Having originated from time immemorial and undergone various transformations over thousands of years, Tsovinar becomes a symbol of the struggle for a kind and just world, and is unique for her eternity, vitality and significance in the time continuum of Armenian history.

Keywords: epic, Daredevils of Sassoun, Heavenly Sea, Tsovian, Nar, Nuard, Bagratid Armenia, King Gagik, King Ara, Arab Caliph, Sanasar, vishap-stone, petroglyph

Information about authors:

Gohar Vardumyan (Yerevan, Armenia). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Armenia. Marshal Bagramyan Ave., 24/4, Yerevan, 375019, Armenia; Brusov State University. Tumanyan St.,42, Yerevan, 0002, Armenia.
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0009-0006-4120-9929

Karen Tokhatyan (Yerevan, Armenia). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute of History of the National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Armenia. Marshal Bagramyan Ave., 24/4, Yerevan, 375019, Armenia; Brusov State University. Tumanyan St.,42, Yerevan, 0002, Armenia.
E-mail: [email protected]
ORCID: 0009-0001-3246-9116