Armenian Karabagh Bee Rug 1880s.

The three medallions on this rug represent and celebrate the importance of Bees in Armenian culture.

Honey is one of the oldest foods consumed by humans; beekeeping is a branch of agriculture that has been widespread in the Armenian highlands since ancient times. Honey is an integral part of an Armenian breakfast table, and beliefs about its health benefits pass down from generation to generation.

Xenophon of Athens (431-354 BC) wrote in his book “Anabasis”: “10000 Hellenes, during its retreat through historical Armenian mountains encountered villages which have numerous bee-hives.” In the 17th century, Evliya Çelebi, who traveled through Armenia, in his “Seyahatnâme” (“Book of travels”) wrote about the high-quality honey, the sweet-tasting syrup and the peculiar heady beverage made from it kept in Van’s caverns around Mount Varaga (Mount Erek). The secrets of beekeeping and the recipes of foods and beverages made from honey were passed on, both verbal and written, from one generation to another.