The present article is devoted to the use of metaphors in the works of Armenian hymnographers from the 5th to the 8th centuries (Mesrop Mashtots, Sahak Partev, Movses Khorenatsi, Hovhan Mandakuni, Stepannos Syunetsi (I), Komitas Aghtsetsi, Sahak Dzoroporetsi, Hovhan Odznetsi, Barsegh Tchon, Sahakdukht). When describing and praising the Persons of the Holy Trinity, the Mother of God, Christian sacred symbols, and saints, the earliest Armenian hymnographers sought to make their language more vivid and impactful. To achieve this, they primarily employed metaphor, the fundamental form of allegory. The spiritual metaphors used in hymns were largely drawn from Biblical texts and their interpretations, gradually evolving and giving rise to original metaphors as well. This article explores the metaphors employed in 5th–8th century Armenian spiritual poetry to depict the Persons of the Holy Trinity, the Virgin Mary, and John the Baptist, including the following: Light, Source, Ray, Sun, Love, Lover of mankind, Life, Life-Giving Fruit, Fountain of Immortality, Treasure of Life, Bread of Life, Path, King, Staff, Judge, Physician, Shepherd, Captain, Bridegroom, Church, Vine, Rock, Dove, Heavenly Dew, Bright Heaven, Luminous Cloud, Burning Bush, etc. All these metaphors later served as a solid foundation for Grigor Narekatsi’s spiritual symbolism.

KeywordsArmenian literature medieval spiritual poetry metaphor Bible Christ Mesrop Mashtots Movses Khorenatsi.

Within proverbial discourse, the linguocognitive model of metamorphosis reveals how French and Armenian proverbs portray human nature and the cognition of human traits. In this context, human nature and behavioral patterns are analyzed through the prism of animal imagery and conceptual metaphors, and the negative connotations associated with metamorphosis are highlighted. At the core of this analysis lies the issue of behavioral and, more broadly, identity shifts, analyzed both on an ontological plane and at the level of conceptual perception, at the intersection of being and seeming. Furthermore, the analysis emphasizes the role of causality in the construction of a new identity. It should be noted that proverbial discourse highlights the immutability of human nature: the external manifestations of metamorphosis do not result in any substantive internal change. From a linguocognitive and linguostylistic perspective, the proverbs under study reveal cognitive models that illustrate the failure of external influence to alter innate attributes, as well as the mapping of human nature onto behavioral patterns.

Keywordsmetamorphosis proverbial discourse human nature zoonym conceptual metaphor being seeming.