For Armenians, few images carry as much meaning as Mount Ararat — Masis in Armenian. Its snow-capped peaks rise above the Ararat plain and, on a clear day, dominate the skyline of Yerevan. It is no surprise that this mountain became the signature of our workshop.
A national symbol
Mount Ararat is a dormant volcanic massif with two peaks: Greater Ararat, which rises to about 5,137 metres, and Lesser Ararat. Although the mountain stands across the border in present-day Turkey, it remains a central symbol of Armenian identity. Mount Ararat with Noah's Ark appears at the heart of Armenia's coat of arms, and the mountain is a constant presence in Armenian art, poetry and song.
Noah's Ark and an ancient story
In tradition, the mountains of Ararat are where Noah's Ark came to rest after the Flood. This story of survival and new beginnings has inspired some of our most detailed boards, such as our walnut backgammon set with a carved Noah's Ark scene.
How the outline became our signature
Master Hrachya Ohanyan began his work in 1985, and over the years the contour of Masis became the hallmark of our company. Today our copyrighted Mount Ararat outline appears on many of our chess, backgammon and 2-in-1 sets — sometimes as a delicate border, sometimes as the centrepiece of the design.
Where you will find it
The outline also appears on gifts such as our wooden duduk case. Each piece is carved by hand, so no two are exactly alike.
A gift with meaning
For many Armenians living abroad, a board carrying the outline of Masis is more than a game — it is a piece of home. That is why Ararat designs make such meaningful gifts for weddings, anniversaries and new homes. Learn more about the workshop in our story, or see how each piece is made in the handcrafted process.
