Monogram is ... Monograms and monograms (photo)

For many centuries it has been considered that a monogram is a symbol that indicates a high social status of a person, family or clan, belonging to the highest, ruling strata of society. Such a sign, along with the family coat of arms, was a source of special pride. It was placed on palaces and houses, family services and household items, decorated elements of the wardrobe. Today, after a brief oblivion, monograms and monograms once again became popular. About this, what are these stylish elements of decor, what are their similarities and differences, this article will tell.

What it is?

The word "monogram" is Greek, in literal translation it means "simple line". The very first monograms really were written as one continuous and continuous line. However, over time, the simplicity was replaced by a large number of details, ornaments and various additions. In its original form, the monogram consisted of only one initial letter of the name.

Then the first letter of the surname was added to this symbol. Thus, today a monogram is a decorative pattern from the initials of a person or the initial letters of the name of a company or firm. It is important to note that simply initials (for example, BP) are not a monogram. In order to become it, the letters should be made in the form of a single figure, beautifully intertwined with each other and placed in any shape (for example, an oval or a square).

What is the difference between a monogram and a monogram?

Modern people (with rare exceptions) believe that these words are synonyms. However, it is not. Monograms and monograms really do have a lot in common, but they are different symbols.

The very word "monogram", meaning "knot", has Polish roots. Without going into details, a monogram can be called a complicated form of a monogram, into which additional decorations were added, and interlacing of the letters was made even more difficult. It can be decorated with any symbols, for example a wreath, a shield or a crown. Many modern monarchs, like their predecessors, have their own special, monogram monograms, which are applied to coins, documents and jewelry.

Thus, between these symbolic images there are the following differences:

1. Monogram - this is a special sign, showing the belonging of a particular subject to a particular person. The monogram can carry information about one as well as several people united on some basis.

2. Unlike a monogram, which is an artistically executed and interwoven initials, a monogram can be supplemented with various heraldic symbols that carry a rather large amount of additional information.

3. Monogram of letters in most cases can be easily reproduced by hand, but to reproduce this way monogram is quite difficult.

A bit of history

The data of archaeological excavations allow us to say that even in ancient Egypt, seals with monogram cut out were used. Then similar symbols, namely the initial letters of names, were used in Greece and Rome. It is documented that monograms were used there in the 4th century BC. E. One of the most famous of them is the "Christogram" - HR "Hi-Ro", which includes the first letters of the Greek spelling of the name of Jesus Christ. Around the same time, many Roman and Greek city-states put monograms on their coins. Approximately since the 7th century, representatives of the higher clergy and rulers of different principalities and countries used such symbols on personal seals, which they certified documents and letters instead of signature. Medieval aristocrats and rich men, tesha own vanity, decorated jewels, cigarette cases and caskets, vessels for wine and cutlery. In addition, monograms were executed on the underwear of aristocrats and kings, embroidery of which was supplemented by various crowns corresponding to the title of the owner: royal, baronial, county or noble. At the same time there were special rules, what color the crown could be embroidered from this or that class. So, the crown embroidered on the baron's underwear could be two-colored, but the one executed on the noble family - only white.

In medieval Europe, craftsmen, artists and engravers displayed monograms on their wares. Not always it was the letters, like Leonardo da Vinci or Durer. Quite often, artists painted their paintings with a figure, placing it in a secluded place in the picture. So, for example, B. Garofalo drew a carnation flower, L. Cranach - winged snake, P. Brill - glasses.

Beginning in the 16th century, the monogram is not only a personal symbol of rulers and aristocrats, but also a trademark that the masters made.

Russian history

In Russia, the appearance of monograms is customarily associated with the tsar-reformer Peter I. Before he became emperor, Peter Alekseevich's personal monogram consisted of the Latin letter "P" with a mirror image. But already in 1722, monograms of the letters of the Russian alphabet appeared on the ruble - "P" with the number I.

In the future, all Russian autocrats had monograms consisting of the initial letter of the name and serial number. Such symbols on shoulder straps and epaulettes of various military units were also widely used. The uniforms of officials of high ranks were decorated with monograms, the embroidery of which was made by special gilded threads.

Until the 20th century monograms were widely used in everyday life: they were placed on jewelry, dishes, linens and clothes.

Types of monograms

Depending on the number of initials, a monogram of letters can be simple (belong to one person) or complex - a monogram, in which several names and a family name are connected. Complex patrimonial monograms were transmitted earlier from one generation of the family to another and were put on houses belonging to the family, jewelry, dishes, furniture, clothes. Let us consider in more detail the features of each of these species.

Personal Monograms

Such symbols can be:

• One-letter letters, that is, consisting of one initial letter - a first or last name. So, for Timothy Zaitsev, this can be either "T" or "Z".
• Consist of two letters denoting the name and surname.
• The three-letter monogram of the name is most popular in the Russian-speaking environment, which is due to the cultural features of communications, when a respected person is called by patronymic.
• Monograms-ciphers, which are practically unknown in Russia. To execute such a sign, all letters from the surname or name are used.

When composing a monogram, as a rule, the letter denoting the surname is executed a little larger or is allocated in some other way.

Family monograms

Pair (or family) monograms in recent years are very popular as a wedding attribute used to decorate invitations and visiting cards of guests, when decorating the wedding cortege and cake, the hall where the celebration takes place. Can be used as a single letter - the initial one in the family name of the young family, for example, the Krutikovs - "K", and two, composed of the initials of the names of the newlyweds.

The most popular and frequently used are the pair Russian monograms, which consist of three letters, which must be placed in a special way: first comes the first letter of the female name, in the middle - the surnames of the couple, and then the initial letter of the male name.

Female or male?

When composing a monogram of the letters of the Russian alphabet, one should remember some unspoken rules:

• For male characters only printed letters are used;
• Calligraphic and capital inclinations are used when creating female symbols;
• In the female monogram of the three letters of the first will be the initial letter of the name, then the largest by the size - the surname, and the last - the patronymic (same as the name);
• In the male three-letter monogram, the size of all the letters will be the same;
• In monograms consisting of two symbols, first comes the name, then the surname, and the size of the letters is the same.

Monograms today

Moving away for a while in the "shadow", today monograms and monograms are again popular. A modern monogram does not necessarily contain the initials of the owner, it is quite possible to use it and as Elvis Presley, from whom she was a TCB (Taking Care of Business) and meant the first letters of her personal motto. Exquisitely and unusually executed symbol attracts attention and emphasizes the individuality of the owner. Wealthy businessmen quite often order the development of a personal monogram signature, which has the same legal force as the ordinary one.

Today monograms are decorated not only with jewelry and costume jewelery, clothing and footwear, but also logos of large companies, business cards, business papers and executive accessories.

Recently, more and more of our contemporaries are ordering the development of a family monogram that is inherited.