Ask AI: "Wheel of fortune" in Armenian culture, literature, art with examples explained and excerpts provided!

"Wheel of Fortune" (or "Wheel of Life") is a concept that appears in many cultures, including Armenian, as a representation of the ever-changing nature of life and the cyclical aspects of existence. While it is not exclusive to Armenian culture and literature, the theme is present in various forms. It is often depicted as a wheel, which turns as an allegory for the rise and fall of power, fortune, and misfortune. This theme is featured in many cultures, such as ancient and medieval European, Hindu, and Buddhist traditions. In Armenian culture, literature, and art, the concept of the "Wheel of Fortune" is sometimes associated with the medieval poet Grigor Narekatsi's writings. Grigor Narekatsi, also known as Saint Gregory of Narek, was a 10th-century Armenian monk and poet who is best known for his work "Narek," a series of spiritual and mystical prayers. For example, in Armenian literature, an interpretation of the “Wheel of Fortune” could be found in Narekatsi’s work "Matenadaran 7734", consisting of seven folios. In this work, Narekatsi presents an allegory of Lady Fortune, who is said to govern the world for the good of people. She chooses the balance of Fate's wheel, and individuals are offered the choice to appreciate or lessen their position on the wheel. A passage from Matenadaran 7734: "Fortune has her abode on the crown of false appearances, And spins her wheel, with the foot-span of the deluded, The turning wheel of life, ever moving Swings in the balance of her feet." Here, Lady Fortune's position on the "Wheel of Life" is portrayed as unpredictable and constantly changing. It illustrates the vicissitudes of human existence and the need for humility and acceptance in the face of fate. In Armenian art, the theme of the "Wheel of Fortune" can be prominently seen in "Lady Fortune and a knight in the battle", a 16th-century Armenian manuscript illustration. The image depicts a female figure, Lady Fortune, holding a wheel with a knight standing in the middle. It symbolizes how the wheel of fortune governs the events of human life and the rising and falling of luck in various situations. Overall, the "Wheel of Fortune" concept is an important theme in Armenian literature, serving as a metaphor and reminder of the ever-changing, uncertain, and unpredictable nature of life.