Nakhichevan miniatures are marked by their placing illuminations in the margin, and by a rigorous use of symbolism in their depictions: a vessel containing myrrh symbolises The Baptism, a group of shepherds and frolicking lambs stands for The Nativity, and fish in a bowl represent The Last Supper.

In this miniature, note the sun and moon placed above Christ on the cross. These symbols are directly inherited from the earliest pre-Christian traditions, and can be found on 4^th-5^th century khachkars.