For many centuries, it has been believed that a monogram is a symbol that indicates the high social status of a person, family or kind, belonging to the higher, ruling strata of society. A similar sign, along with the family coat of arms, was a subject of special pride. It was placed on palaces and houses, family services and household items, decorated with wardrobe elements. Today, after a brief oblivion, monograms and monograms have again become popular. This article will tell you about what these stylish decor elements are, what are their similarities and differences.
What it is?
The word "monogram" is Greek, in literal translation it means "simple line". The very first monograms were really written as one continuous and continuous line. However, over time, simplicity has been replaced by a large number of details, decorations and various additions.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 began to be 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 just the initials (for example, B.P.) are not a monogram. In order to become it, the letters must be made in the form of a single picture, beautifully interwoven with each other and placed in some shape (for example, an oval or square).
What is the difference between monogram and monogram?
A modern person (with rare exceptions) believes that these are synonymous words. However, it is not. Monograms and monograms do have a lot in common, but they are different characters.
The word "monogram" itself, meaning "knot", has Polish roots. Without going into details, the monogram can be called a complicated form of a monogram, in which additional decorations were added, and the interlacing of letters made it even more difficult. It can be decorated with any symbols, for example, a wreath, shield or crown. Many modern monarchs, like their predecessors, have their own special, monogram monograms, which are applied to coins, documents and jewelry.
Thus, there are the following differences between these symbolic images:
1. A monogram is a special sign showing the belonging of an object to a specific person. A monogram, on the other hand, can carry information about one or several people united on some basis.
2. Unlike a monogram, which is an artistically executed and intertwined initials, a monogram can be supplemented with various heraldic symbols that carry a rather large amount of additional information.
3. A monogram of letters in most cases can be easily reproduced by hand, but it is rather difficult to reproduce a monogram in this way.
A bit of history
Data from archaeological excavations suggest that even in ancient Egypt, stamps with cut monograms were used. Then, similar characters, namely the initial letters of names, began to be used in Greece and Rome. It is documented that monograms were used there already in the IV 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 affix monograms on their coins.
From about the 7th century, representatives of the higher clergy and rulers of various principalities and countries used similar symbols on personal seals, with which documents and letters were certified instead of the signature. Medieval aristocrats and rich, tending their own vanity, adorned jewelry, cigarette cases and caskets, wine vessels and cutlery. In addition, monograms were performed on the linen of aristocrats and kings, the embroidery of which was supplemented by various crowns corresponding to the title of the owner: royal, baron, count or noble. At the same time, there were special rules about the color of the crown of this or that estate. So, a crown embroidered on baronial linen could be two-tone, but a crown performed on a nobleman’s could only be white.
In medieval Europe, artisans, artists and engravers put monograms on their products. These were not always letters, as in Leonardo da Vinci or Durer. Quite often, artists marked their canvases with a figure, placing it in a secluded place in the picture. So, for example, B. Garofalo painted a carnation flower, L. Cranach - a winged snake, P. Bril - glasses.
Starting from the XVI century, the monogram is not only a personal symbol of rulers and aristocrats, but also a trademark, which was put down by the masters.
Russian history
In Russia, the appearance of monograms is usually associated with the Tsar-reformer Peter I. Before he became emperor, the personal monogram of Peter Alekseevich consisted of the Latin letter “P” with a mirror image. But already in 1722, monograms of the letters of the Russian alphabet appear in rubles - “P” with the number I.
Subsequently, all Russian autocrats had monograms consisting of the initial letter of the name and serial number. Such symbols were also widely used on epaulettes and epaulets of various military units. The uniforms of high-ranking officials were decorated with monograms, the embroidery of which was made with special gilded threads.
Until the 20th century, monograms were widely used in everyday life: they were put down on jewelry, dishes, linen and clothes.
Types of monograms
Depending on the number of initials, a monogram of letters can be simple (belong to one person) or complex - monogram, which combines several names and a family name. Complicated generic monograms were transmitted earlier from one generation of a family to another and were affixed to family-owned homes, jewelry, dishes, furniture, clothes. Let us consider in more detail the features of each of these types.
Personal monograms
Such characters may be:
- One-letter, that is, consisting of one initial letter - name or surname. So, for Timofei Zaitsev it can be either “T” or “Z”.
- Consisting of two letters denoting the first and last name.
- The three-letter monogram of the name is most popular in the Russian-speaking environment, which is due to the cultural characteristics of communications, when a respected person is called by middle name.
- Monogram-ciphers, which are almost unknown in Russia. To execute such a sign, all letters from the last name or first name are used.
When compiling a monogram, as a rule, the letter denoting the surname is executed slightly larger or is allocated in some other way.
Family Monograms
Paired (or family) monograms have recently been very popular as a wedding attribute used to decorate invitations and business cards of guests, when decorating a wedding procession and cake, the hall where the celebration is held. It can be used as one letter - the initial in the surname of a young family, for example, the Krutikovs have “K”, and two made up of the initials of the names of the newlyweds.
The most popular and often used are paired Russian monograms, consisting of three letters, which should be arranged in a special way: first comes the first letter of the female name, in the middle - the name of the couple, and then the initial letter of the male name.
Female or male?
When compiling a monogram of letters of the Russian alphabet, you should remember some unspoken rules:
- for male characters use only block letters;
- calligraphic and uppercase oblique are used to create female characters;
- in a female monogram of three letters, the first letter will be the initial letter of the name, then large in size - the last name, and the last - the middle name (the same as the name);
- in a male three-letter monogram, the size of all letters will be the same;
- in two-character monograms, first comes the name, then the last name, and the size of the letters is the same.
Monograms today
Having departed for some time in the “shadow”, today monograms and monograms are again popular. The modern monogram does not necessarily contain the initials of the owner, it is quite possible to use it as Elvis Presley, in whom she had TCB (Taking Care of Business) and meant the first letters of a 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 a regular one.
Today, monograms adorn not only jewelry and jewelry, clothes and shoes, but also logos of large companies, business cards, business papers and representative accessories.
Recently, more and more of our contemporaries have ordered the development of a family monogram, which is inherited.