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":1783725805,"publishedAt":1783725805,"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":"How What\u2019s Your Dream? Inspired HYE SOCIETY","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":52131,"title":"Lessons I\u2019ve Learnt (So Far) From Launching a Clothing Brand","url":"\/blog\/lessons-ive-learnt-so-far-from-launching-a-clothing-brand\/","urlTitle":"lessons-ive-learnt-so-far-from-launching-a-clothing-brand","division":387530,"description":"Launching a clothing brand has been a rollercoaster of small wins, big lessons, and a few mistakes along the way. From misspelt designs to learning patience, marketing, and the value of samples, here are 8 lessons I\u2019ve learnt so far. All told through my own journey of building a streetwear brand inspired by Armenian culture.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/xhsggm7gh7jkc2vxkpmp8sa95unnzjhh3fmxjbjflvuegzb5.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/xhsggm7gh7jkc2vxkpmp8sa95unnzjhh3fmxjbjflvuegzb5.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":52195,"title":"Behind the Tee: The Story Behind the Soorj Sundays T-Shirt","url":"\/blog\/behind-the-tee-the-soorj-sunday-t-shirt\/","urlTitle":"behind-the-tee-the-soorj-sunday-t-shirt","division":387530,"description":"From the smell of Soorj\/ \u054d\u0578\u0582\u0580\u0573 (Soorh) filling the house to watching his Gran\/ \u054f\u0561\u057f\u056b\u056f (Dad-eek) read coffee cups, this blog shares the memories that inspired our Soorj Sundays tee. A tribute to Armenian coffee culture, cartoons, and Sundays spent with family.","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ilhz05kjy0fn1mwuwz1bfcdcdqpbzela1amoqoqinds7h4xi.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/ilhz05kjy0fn1mwuwz1bfcdcdqpbzela1amoqoqinds7h4xi.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":52200,"title":"4 Books That Changed How We Think (And What We\u2019re Reading Next)","url":"\/blog\/books\/","urlTitle":"books","division":387530,"description":"Books have the power to shift perspective, spark creativity, and inspire action. Here are 4 that changed the way we think \u2014 from Simon Squibb\u2019s What\u2019s Your Dream? to Mark Manson\u2019s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*. And we want your input on what comes next. Should we pick up Marc Ecko\u2019s Unlabel or Phil Knight\u2019s Shoe Dog?","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/o6inxqzd9ehx1zw4tuqd4bqazczb5scexzyyfpvmaurjhsxc.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/o6inxqzd9ehx1zw4tuqd4bqazczb5scexzyyfpvmaurjhsxc.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>