The most recognizable Armenian art is the traditional stone carving. The carving of Khatchkars is an artistic Armenian tradition. An Armenian trademark and monopoly. Khatchkar, literally means "cross-stone"; "khatch" means cross and “kar” means stone.Khatchkars appeared widely between the 9-10th centuries in flourishing Armenian cities of Ani, Lori, Kars and Van which became important centers of spiritual culture.
Katchkars are not the first carved stones in Armenia. In the pre-historic times of Armenia, sculptured stones existed in the form of a very large and free-standing stone monuments of various forms and designs, usually taking the shape of a fish. They were called: Vishaps, and were referred to as the “dragon stones”. They were regularly found nearby creeks, lakes, rivers and fountains due to their religious and worshiping relationship with water. In fact, early Armenians worshiped Astghik, the goddess of water. Vishaps can still be found in Erevan, nearby Arayr, Mt. Aragats and mountain Geghama.
The Khachkars can be traced to Armenian prehistoric monuments, and more accurately to the 5th millennium B.C. Their earliest roots may be traced to the gigantic polished black Neolithic obelisks Menhirs which appeared as early as 4,000 B.C. around Mokhra Blur near the capital Yerevan and to the colossal stones monuments found at Karahundj which were enigmatic and unique, for they contained perforated holes with telescopic measurements and scientific characteristics.