[6] Armenian babies have their eyes bandaged when they are put to sleep, and they are tied into their cradles. [7] Santoukhd was martyred by the order of her father, King Sanadroug, for becoming a Christian. [8] The late Hagop Bey Balian. [9] A great number of these little poems exist. They are traditional, and are used for fortune-telling. On the Eve of Ascension Day all those who wish to have their fortunes told place some little trinket into a bowl containing seven different kinds of flowers and water from seven springs. The bowl is left open to the stars until dawn, when the party assemble and select a child who cannot tell where the sun rises to take the trinkets out as the verses are repeated. The owner of the token takes the verse preceding its being brought out as his or her fortune. [10] The Eve of Ascension Day is the time when betrothals are arranged and destinies decided. [11] The patron saint of lovers. [12] The poem entitled “Complaints,” written a few days before his death. [13] “Ner”—the Antichrist, concerning whom the Armenians have many traditions. [14] Haberban. [15] The Paradise of Mohammed, where the souls of the blest are waited upon by beautiful houris, and fed with delicious fruits. [16] Above the summit of Aragatz, the mountain that faces Ararat on the far side of the plain, a weird light is sometimes visible, traditionally called the Lamp of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. [17] Anoush - sweet. [18] This and the following poem are reprinted from Nuove Liriche, by Vittoria Aganoor Pompilj, Roma. Nuova Antologia. [19] Navasard fell, according to the later calendar of pagan Armenia, in August. [20] See Agathangelos (fourth century A.D.). [21] Annual bonfires are kindled by Armenians on the festival of Candlemas, or the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (February 13/2). [22] Agathangelos. [23] Statues of massive gold were consecrated to her, one of which was captured by the soldiers of Antony (Pliny, H. N., xxx. 24). [24] At each festival, the Armenians had to show what progress they had made during the past year, in art and in other occupations, and races and other competitions took place, the victors being crowned with wreaths of roses. When the doves were set flying the High Priest sprinkled the people with the waters of the Aradzani—a tributary of the Euphrates—and the people in their turn sprinkled each other. The customs dated back to traditions of the deluge—that universal baptism with which God cleansed all the sinful earth, and the same expression of love and forgiveness is manifested in the presence of the dove at the baptism of Jordan. See Raffi’s Samuel, chap. ix. [25] Astghik means in Armenian “little star.” [26] It is a curious coincidence that Venus, the Greek goddess of beauty, was also the wife of a fire-god, Vulcan. [27] Some say that Ammanor was an ancient Armenian god and not foreign. [28] Kadjk means in Armenian “brave ones.”