PRE-ORDER 2025 Vahagn the Dragon Reaper 1 oz Silver Proof Coin

*** This coin is currently in production and will be released in mid 2025! You are able to pre-order your low serial number copy now!

Limited Edition, Second of the Legendary Armenian Heroes & Mythical Beasts Series!

"Vahagn the Dragon Reaper" (Վահագն Վիշապաքաղ in Armenian), is a prominent figure in ancient Armenian mythology. He is a heroic deity of fire, war, and valor, and is one of the most celebrated figures in the pre-Christian Armenian pantheon. His mythos is richly interwoven with themes of cosmic struggle, natural phenomena, and the triumph of light over darkness.

Origins and Role in Mythology

1. Association with Fire and Thunder:
• Vahagn is closely linked with fire and thunder, embodying both destructive and life-giving forces. His fiery nature is central to his mythos, representing purification and transformation.
2. Dragon Slayer:
• Vahagn is famously titled "Vishapakagh" (Վիշապաքաղ), meaning "Dragon Reaper" or "Dragon Slayer." In Armenian mythology, dragons (vishaps) are often seen as chaotic forces of nature or evil beings blocking the flow of water, which was vital for agriculture. Vahagn's role as their slayer emphasizes his status as a hero who ensures life and prosperity by overcoming chaos.
3. Cosmic Protector:
• He is depicted as a protector of the Armenian people and their lands. His battles against the vishaps symbolize the struggle to maintain order and stability against destructive forces.
4. Comparable Figures:
• Vahagn's characteristics are often compared to Indo-European deities such as Indra in Vedic mythology and Heracles in Greek mythology. Like these figures, Vahagn embodies strength, bravery, and the ability to vanquish great beasts.

The Birth and Legacy of Vahagn the Dragon Reaper

Vahagn Vishapakagh, known as "Vahagn the Dragon Reaper" (Վահագն Վիշապաքաղ), is a central figure in Armenian mythology, embodying the ideals of valor, protection, and cosmic order. Revered as the god of fire, war, thunder, and the sun, Vahagn symbolizes strength, heroism, and the triumph of light over darkness. His mythos is a rich tapestry of cosmic struggle, divine origins, and the interplay of destructive and life-giving forces.

One of the most famous tales about Vahagn is his divine birth, recounted in the ancient hymn known as the "Song of Vahagn." This hymn was preserved by the 5th-century Armenian historian Movses Khorenatsi in his History of the Armenians. The vivid imagery in the hymn portrays the dramatic and supernatural circumstances of Vahagn's emergence:

The Birth of Vahagn

Ծնաւ երկին, ծնաւ երկիր,

The heavens groaned, the earth trembled,

Ծնաւ եւ ծիրանի ծով, 

The purple sea churned with pain.

Ծովուն մէջ ըսպասէին, 

The sea held its breath,

Եւ կարմիր եղեգն ելան։ 

And a red reed swayed in its depths.

Եղեգան խոռոչէն ծուխ ելան, 

From the hollow of the reed, smoke rose,

Եղեգան խոռոչէն բոց ելան, 

From the hollow of the reed, flames leapt high.

Եւ բոցէն ելաւ վահագն։ 

And from the flames, the hero emerged.

Հերու հրայրք ունէր, 

His hair blazed with fire,

Մօրուքն՝ բոց ուներ, 

His beard flowed like flame,

Եւ աչքունքներուն՝ արեգակներ։ 

And his eyes glowed like twin suns.

Vahagn’s birth is portrayed as a cosmic event, the result of a celestial union between Aramazd, the sky god, and Anahit, the earth goddess. Emerging from smoke and flame through the sacred reed, he is a divine protector linked to the sun, light, and vitality.

The Dragon Slayer and Cosmic Protector

Vahagn is famously known as the "Dragon Reaper" for his legendary defeat of Vishap, a fearsome dragon symbolizing chaos and destruction. Armed with a mighty thunderbolt or flaming spear, Vahagn’s victory restored harmony to the land, ensuring the flow of water and fertility essential for survival. This epic battle symbolizes the eternal struggle between order and chaos, good and evil, with Vahagn embodying resilience and cosmic balance.

Beyond his role as a warrior god, Vahagn also influences agriculture and fertility, ensuring bountiful harvests and the prosperity of the Armenian people. His fiery essence and heroic deeds highlight his dual nature as both a fierce protector and a nurturing force of life.

Symbolism and Legacy

• Fire and Light: Vahagn’s flaming hair and sun-like eyes signify his connection to purification, transformation, and life-giving forces.
• The Reed: As a conduit between divine and earthly realms, the reed represents creation, fertility, and cosmic harmony.
• Dragons (Vishaps): The dragons he vanquishes symbolize chaos and obstacles, reinforcing his role as a liberator and restorer of natural order.

Vahagn’s enduring legacy is deeply embedded in Armenian culture. Once worshiped in temples and celebrated through rituals, his mythos survived Christianization, becoming a symbol of resilience and identity. Depicted in art, literature, and folklore, Vahagn remains a timeless figure, embodying strength, divine intervention, and the balance of nature.