Portakar

Portakar or navel stones (Armenian: պորտաքար) are traditional ritual stones in Armenia. They are bound up with cult of the fertility goddess, called in ancient Armenia, like the cult of the goddess Anahit.

Portakar, ritual ceremony, Armenia, 19th century

History

According to Armenian mythology, women who wished to become pregnant must lean their stomach against the stone. Candle lighting was part of the cult. If a woman became pregnant she should come back and make a mark at the stone.[1][2]

References

А.Е. Тер-Саркисянц // Армяне: история и этнокультурные традиции.// стр. 188(394) Восточная литература 1998 г. ISBN 5020180025, 9785020180024
В. Белый // Армения:Энциклопедия путешественника// Изд-во Армянской Советской энциклопедии; 1990 г. ISBN 5897000026, 9785897000029

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[1] А.Е. Тер-Саркисянц // Армяне: история и этнокультурные традиции.// стр. 188(394) Восточная литература 1998 г. ISBN 5020180025, 9785020180024

[2] В. Белый // Армения:Энциклопедия путешественника// Изд-во Армянской Советской энциклопедии; 1990 г. ISBN 5897000026, 9785897000029