Made by hand in our partner workshop in China  ·  Shipped worldwide  ·  Every symbol comes with its sources
Atlas  /  For children  /  Hmayil prayer scrollNo. 86
Plate IWest Asia & Middle East · ArmeniaHmayil prayer scroll, drawn by Wishlore
Pl. IHmayil prayer scroll. A long, narrow parchment scroll unrolling from its case, its writing shown as plain lines around a small, empty arched panel. Drawing: Wishlore.
No. 86  ·  For children  ·  West Asia & Middle East

The hmayil

An Armenian Christian prayer scroll of parchment, kept rolled in a case. Women’s scrolls were written against Al, a demon blamed for difficult births; men’s asked for safe journeys and good trade. The oldest known dates from 1428.

Earliest record
Oldest known scroll, 1428
Source
AGBU Magazine, on the hmayil (2025)
Region
West Asia & Middle East · Armenia
Wish
For children
Layers
Record Folk Modern
Keep this symbol · from £2.99Read the sources
The story · three layers

The story, in three layers.

Record, Folk and Modern are kept apart, and each one carries its source.

I
Record
Armenia, from 1428

1428, and about 600 more

The oldest hmayil known dates from 1428. The Matenadaran, the Armenian manuscript library, holds about 600 of these scrolls.

To verify: Where the 1428 scroll is kept, and its catalogue number

II
Folk
Armenian Christian tradition

Women’s scrolls, men’s scrolls

Women’s scrolls were written against the demon Al, who was blamed for difficult births and miscarriages. Men’s scrolls asked for safe travel, good trade, and favour with judges and officials.

III
Modern
Wishlore, today

For learning only

A hmayil is a Christian devotional manuscript. We tell its story for learning only: we make no replica scroll, and none is for sale.

Hmayil prayer scroll
Oldest known scroll, 1428
Story and sources on the reverse
Pl. IIThe story card. Every printed piece carries the story and a code that opens the full source list.
Keep it close

How would you like to keep it?

Add to bag · £8
  • No jewellery for this symbol yet; story card and download only
  • Printed cards are made in our partner workshop in China and shipped worldwide
  • Delivery: [UK/EU/US days TBC]; duties shown at checkout
In one breath
Prayers on parchment, rolled into a case. Who would you keep it for?
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