Albanian Crosses

Albanian cross stones is a group of monuments created by Caucasian Albania.
Types
Crosses of the Khachin
Crosses are mainly distributed in Kalbajar, Dashkasan, Gazakh and Agstafa districts. These crucifixes are relics of the Principality of the Khachin. A large part of the Kalbajar region was part of the Albanian Khachin principality. All the stelae studied in this region are distinguished by the originality of their architectural images, but they do not go beyond the canons and forms typical of the crosses of Caucasian Albania and other types of stelae. The art of two religions - Christianity and most likely Mithraism - is observed in the stelae, which are located near the ancient temple in the form of a Chahartagh (quadrangular composition) and erected on a high stilobate with an arch. The influence of various local religions is also expected.
A headstone scientists D.A. Akhundova and M.D. Akhundov later erected a typical mitraist stella found at the foot of a mountain in the Kalbajar area. The anthropomorphic god is depicted inside the double rectangular frame on the cross. Instead of a face, he was given a star inside the circle - the sun, cosmic light, the sphere of paradise; Inside the circle in his hand is a round moon - a symbol of fertility. Below his abdomen, in a circle slightly smaller than his head, depicts another star - the underworld or entrance to it. These are a clear three-tier model of the world in the minds of the ancient Albanians. The human figure, on the other hand, reads the world that unites all the worlds shown. Just outside this cross, another pre-Christian stella was discovered. This stella depicts a woman with the technique of drawing inside a rectangular frame, probably the goddess of the moon - Selena, Artemida, Ardivisura, Anahita.These stelae belong to the pre-Christian period of our era (early I century), perhaps even earlier.
Due to the cross silhouette on the left, it is resolved similar to its neighbor on the right. In its lower part there is a large khoncha woven from lattice circles and skillfully embroidered. Above are two small khonchas on the sides, which together with the large khoncha form the divine trinity (father, son, holy spirit). At the top of the triangle between the two khonchas are two small circles inside each other. The triangle and the circle represent the sun,
Artsak cross stones
These types of crosses were discovered and studied mainly in Khojaly, Agdara, Tartar, Gadabay, Shusha and other regions. One of the most interesting examples is the Khachvari Artsak cross made in 1633. This cross was also settled within the canons adopted throughout Caucasian Albania. The crucifix was smuggled from the Azerbaijani SSR to the Armenian SSR during the USSR and is currently being held in the Uchmuadzin city of the Armenian Republic.
Another 14th-century Artsakh khashdash was executed in a completely different style. The entire surface of the stele is decorated with many thematic images. The principle of decor is similar to that of Juga 's Albanian crosses, and the shape of the cross and wicker patterns are similar to the Chahartag crosses of Kalbajar. The winged circle at the top of the stele (the winged circle is a symbol of Ahura Mazda) depicts religious-symbolic images of the god. Next to it are three angels and two companions, and below are two devil faces, one of which is very broken.
The upper third of the stele depicts two horsemen in a wide frame on either side - St. George, who killed the dragon with a spear on the left, and a horseman with a torch in his upward right. There are two flying human figures on either side of the cross, and it was not possible to determine who they were depicting because they were bad.
According to another inscription on a cross depicting a Mongol cavalry holding a spear, it was established in 1274 in honor of the repair of the Ganjasar Monastery. After the conversion to Islam by Qazan khan in 1295, it seems that the Christian clergy broke the first stele and used the second as a throwing stone during the construction of the monastery canteen, which is still in a state of disrepair. stops. The warrior depicted on the cross is believed to be the son of Carmagan Boro Nouo, who married Ruzuka, the daughter of Hasan Jalal.

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