Vardavar<\/strong> (\u054e\u0561\u0580\u0564\u0561\u057e\u0561\u057c), one of Armenia\u2019s most joyful and unique traditions. A celebration that brings together family, friends and communities through something as simple as water.<\/p>But behind the chaos, laughter and super soakers is a tradition with thousands of years of history.<\/p>
The Origins of Vardavar<\/h3>
Vardavar dates back to ancient Armenia, long before Christianity became part of Armenian culture.<\/p>
Many historians trace Vardavar\u2019s roots back to ancient Armenian traditions associated with Astghik, the Armenian goddess of love, beauty and water.<\/p>
During these celebrations, people are believed to have offered roses and used water as symbols of love, renewal, purity and life. Even the word \u201cvard\u201d (\u057e\u0561\u0580\u0564) means rose in Armenian, highlighting the connection between the festival and these ancient traditions.<\/p>
When Armenia became the first nation to officially adopt Christianity in 301 AD, many older traditions became connected with Christian celebrations.<\/p>
Today, Vardavar is celebrated by the Armenian Apostolic Church as the Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ and takes place 98 days after Easter.<\/p>
The tradition changed over time, but the joy of celebrating with water has continued through generations.<\/p>
How is Vardavar Celebrated Today?<\/h3>
Today, Vardavar is one of the most exciting days in Armenia\u2019s calendar.<\/p>
Across Yerevan and beyond, the streets become filled with people of all ages joining in. Children chase each other with water guns, families throw buckets of water, and it\u2019s common for strangers to become part of the celebration.<\/p>
The rule is simple:<\/p>
Nobody stays dry.<\/p>
It\u2019s one of the few days where getting soaked is not only accepted, it\u2019s expected.<\/p>
My Memories of Vardavar<\/h3>
Some of my earliest memories of Vardavar are from summers spent in Iran with my cousins and my brother.<\/p>
We would run around my uncle\u2019s courtyard armed with water balloons and our super soakers, trying our best to stay dry, even though we all knew that was impossible.<\/p>
Growing up Armenian outside of Armenia, traditions like Vardavar became even more important. They were a way of feeling connected to our culture, our family and the generations before us.<\/p>
We also celebrated Vardavar through Armenian school in the UK, creating those same memories even thousands of miles away from Armenia.<\/p>
Although celebrating Vardavar in Armenia is still on my bucket list, every year I watch the videos from Yerevan and imagine joining the chaos.<\/p>
One day I\u2019ll be there, super soaker ready.<\/p>
The Story Behind Locked & Loaded<\/h3>
At Hye Society, every design starts with a story.<\/p>
Locked & Loaded was created as a tribute to those Vardavar memories. The excitement of filling up balloons, preparing your water gun and spending the day outside with friends and family.<\/p>
Because Vardavar isn\u2019t just about throwing water.<\/p>
It\u2019s about joy.<\/p>
It\u2019s about connection.<\/p>
It\u2019s about keeping traditions alive.<\/p>
A little piece of Armenian summer, captured in a t-shirt.<\/p>
Explore the Locked & Loaded collection.<\/u><\/a><\/p>","urlTitle":"what-is-vardavar-armenian-water-festival","url":"\/blog\/what-is-vardavar-armenian-water-festival\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/what-is-vardavar-armenian-water-festival\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/hyesociety.co.uk\/blog\/what-is-vardavar-armenian-water-festival\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1783724486,"updatedAt":1784485604,"publishedAt":1784485604,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":387530,"name":"Hye Society"},"tags":[{"id":4641,"code":"stories","name":"Stories","url":"\/blog\/tagged\/stories\/"}],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/eiphnfknjjcdpt9zxostplpre8rdnfftpd96ilrbzbj3qmsr.jpeg?z=1.8654751176834&fx=0.50165545748287&fy=0.49882941743429","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/eiphnfknjjcdpt9zxostplpre8rdnfftpd96ilrbzbj3qmsr.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855&z=1.8654751176834&fx=0.50165545748287&fy=0.49882941743429","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/eiphnfknjjcdpt9zxostplpre8rdnfftpd96ilrbzbj3qmsr.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&z=1.8654751176834&fx=0.50165545748287&fy=0.49882941743429"},"metaTitle":"What is Vardavar? Armenia\u2019s Water Festival","metaDescription":"Discover Vardavar (\u054e\u0561\u0580\u0564\u0561\u057e\u0561\u057c), Armenia\u2019s famous water festival. Explore its origins, traditions, Christian meaning and the story behind Locked & Loaded.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":51664,"title":"Behind the Tee: The Story Behind the Pomegranate T-Shirt","url":"\/blog\/behind-the-tee-the-pomegranate-t-shirt\/","urlTitle":"behind-the-tee-the-pomegranate-t-shirt","division":387530,"description":"\ud83c\udf77 The Story Behind the Pomegranate T-ShirtIt\u2019s hard to walk through a market in Armenia and not see a pomegranate. Whether it\u2019s jewellery, art, textiles or souvenirs \u2014 it\u2019s everywhere. And for good reason","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/1uhkuznvqm0jd1zd2yiuvuipizz62kli8zycwlp8zbsfdqdi.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/1uhkuznvqm0jd1zd2yiuvuipizz62kli8zycwlp8zbsfdqdi.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":51492,"title":"How What\u2019s Your Dream? by Simon Squibb Gave Me the Push to Start HYE SOCIETY","url":"\/blog\/how-whats-your-dream-by-simon-squibb-gave-me-the-push-to-start-hye-society\/","urlTitle":"how-whats-your-dream-by-simon-squibb-gave-me-the-push-to-start-hye-society","division":387530,"description":"One question changed everything: \u201cWhat\u2019s your dream?\u201d In this blog, Shunt Yenokian shares how Simon Squibb\u2019s book gave him the courage to stop overthinking, push past perfectionism, and finally launch HYE SOCIETY \u2014 a streetwear brand inspired by Armenian culture and shaped by diaspora life.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/uazpjdhiwqxobpnpfwkerlx9i9yhrmoyo6owaa6tgxy5wnr0.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/uazpjdhiwqxobpnpfwkerlx9i9yhrmoyo6owaa6tgxy5wnr0.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":52977,"title":"Behind the Tee: The Story Behind the Let\u2019s All Be Kind & Are You Okay? Tees","url":"\/blog\/behind-the-tee\/","urlTitle":"behind-the-tee","division":387530,"description":"A look behind the designs created with my nephews, Charles and Arthur. What started as a fun family project became two heart-warming t-shirts \u2014 \u201cLet\u2019s All Be Kind\u201d and \u201cAre You Okay?\u201d \u2014 reminding us all to be kind, check in on one another, and spread a little joy.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/sdaxbbmw8mlghe4eboma5bb9kf5hh1ihiy09wwkqr0yczsqx.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/sdaxbbmw8mlghe4eboma5bb9kf5hh1ihiy09wwkqr0yczsqx.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}
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Every summer, the streets of Armenia turn into one giant water fight.<\/p>