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{{Short description|Motif made by overlapping two or more letters}}
{{Distinguish|Monograph|Nomogram|Nonogram}}
{{Other uses}}

A '''monogram''' is a [[motif (visual arts)|motif]] made by overlapping or combining two or more letters or other [[grapheme]]s to form one [[symbol]]. Monograms are often made by combining the initials of an individual or a company, used as recognizable symbols or [[logo]]s. A series of uncombined initials is properly referred to as a cypher (e.g. a [[royal cypher]]) and is not a monogram.<ref>The [[Shorter Oxford English Dictionary]] (Fifth edition; 2002) defines it as a "device composed of two or more letters... interwoven together." Volume 1, p. 1820.</ref>

Many of today's monograms are embroidered on items for the home like towels, bedding, robes etc. 

==History==
[[File:Albrecht Dürer Monogramm.svg|thumb|The "AD" monogram that [[Albrecht Dürer]] used as a signature]]

Monograms first appeared on coins, as early as 350 BC. The earliest known examples are of the names of Greek cities which issued the coins, often the first two letters of the city's name. For example, the monogram of [[Achaea (ancient region)|Achaea]] consisted of the letters [[alpha]] (Α) and [[chi (letter)|chi]] (Χ) joined together.<ref>Henry Noel Humphreys, ''The Coin Collector's Manual, Or Guide to Numismatic Student in the Formation of a Cabinet of Coins'' (Bibliolife, 2008), 226.</ref>

Monograms have been used as signatures by artists and [[Artisan|craft workers]] on paintings, sculptures and pieces of furniture, especially when [[guilds]] enforced measures against unauthorized participation in the trade. A famous example of a monogram serving as an artist's signature is the "AD" used by [[Albrecht Dürer]].

==Christograms==
{{Main|Christogram}}
Over the centuries, monograms of the name of Jesus Christ have been used as [[Christian symbolism|Christian symbols]]. The [[IX monogram]] consists of the initial Greek letters of the name "Jesus Christ," "I" for Ιησούς, ([[Jesus]] in Greek) and "X" for Χριστος ([[Christ (title)|Christ]] in Greek). The "IHS" Christogram, denoting the first three letters of the Greek name of Jesus, is usually written as a cypher, but sometimes as a monogram.
Perhaps the most significant [[Christogram]] is the [[Chi Rho]], formed from the first two letters of Χριστος. The symbol was used by the Roman emperor [[Constantine I (emperor)|Constantine I]] (r. 306–337) as part of a [[military standard]].
<gallery mode="nolines" widths="250" heights="250">
File:Sarcophage de Drausin 03 chrisme.jpg|The [[Chi-Rho]], a monogram of the first two letters of the Greek word for [[Christ (title)|Christ]]
File:Chrisme Constantinople.jpg|The [[IX monogram]]
File:Interlaced IHS monogram on ceiling of church of Saint-Martin de L'Isle-Adam.jpg|IHS monogram
</gallery>

==Royal monograms==
{{Main|Royal cypher}}
[[File:Signum manus of Charlemagne.svg|thumb|upright|{{Lang|la|Karolus}} – The cross-signature of [[Charlemagne]] ]]
''[[Signum manus]]'' (sometimes also known as ''Chrismon'') refers to the medieval practice, current from the [[Merovingian period]] until the 14th century in the [[Frankish Empire]] and its successors, of signing a document or charter with a special type of monogram or royal cypher.

Monograms of the names of [[monarch]]s are used as part of the insignia of public organizations in kingdoms, such as on police badges. This indicates a connection to the ruler. However, the [[royal cypher]], so familiar on [[pillar box]]es, is not technically a monogram, since the letters are not combined.

Royal monograms often appear on coins, frequently surmounted by a crown. Countries that have employed this device in the past include [[Bulgaria]], [[Great Britain]], [[Russia]], [[Sweden]] and many [[List of historic states of Germany|German states]]. Today, several [[Danish krone|Danish coins]] carry the monogram of [[Margrethe II of Denmark|Margrethe II]], while the current Norwegian 1 [[Norwegian krone|Krone coin]] has the "H5" monogram of [[Harald V of Norway|Harald V]] on the [[Obverse and reverse|obverse]].<ref>[http://www.norges-bank.no/templates/article____12369.aspx Coins] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203082931/http://www.norges-bank.no/templates/article____12369.aspx |date=2011-02-03 }}, at the [[Norges Bank]] website.</ref> The only countries using the [[Euro]] to have a royal monogram as their [[Identifying marks on euro coins|national identifying mark]] are [[Belgian euro coins|Belgium]] and [[Monegasque euro coins|Monaco]].<ref>A [[€2 commemorative coins|commemorative €2 coin]] from [[Luxembourgish euro coins|Luxembourg]] carried the monogram of [[Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Grand Duke Henri]].</ref> In Thailand, royal monograms appear on the individual flag for each major royal family member.

==Individual monograms==
[[File:Dress shirt monogram locations.svg|thumb|Dress shirt monogram locations]]

An individual's monogram may appear in stylized form on stationery, luggage, clothing, or other personalized items. These monograms may have two or three letters.

A basic 3-letter monogram has the initial of the individual's last name (surname) set larger, or with some special treatment in the center, while the first name initial appears to the left of it and the middle name initial appears to the right of it. There is a difference in how this is written for men and women. For example, if the individual's name is Mary Ann Jones, and Jones is the surname, then the arrangement of letters would be thus: '''M<big>J</big>A''', with the surname initial set larger in the center, the '''M''' for Mary to the left and the '''A''' for Ann to the right.<ref name="3LM">Jeanine Twigg, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=j6e847_n3MUC&pg=PA43 Embroidery Machine Essentials: How to Stabilize, Hoop and Stitch Decorative Designs]'', KP Craft, 2001, {{ISBN|0-87341-999-5}}, p. 43.</ref> Traditionally, individual monograms for men<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.simplystamps.com/blog/2016/06/30/monogram-guide-how-to/ |title = Monogram Guide {{!}} Simply Stamps How-To| date=30 June 2016 }}</ref> are based on the order of the name. The name Kyle George Martin would be written ('''KGM''').

Married or engaged couples may use two-letter monograms of their entwined initials, for example on [[wedding invitations]]. Married couples may also create three-letter monograms incorporating the initial of their shared surname. For example, the monogram '''M<big>J</big>A''' might be used for Michael and Alice Jones.<ref name="3LM"/> However, monogramming etiquette for the married couple varies according to the item being monogrammed. [[Linens]], for example, typically list the woman's given initial first, followed by the couple's shared surname initial and then the man's given initial ('''A<big>J</big>M''').
Monograms can often be found on custom dress shirts where they can be located in a number of different positions.

Some personal monograms have become famous symbols in their own right and instantly recognizable to many, such as [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s monogram.

==Other monograms==
[[File:UT&T text logo.svg|thumb|100px|The [[University of Texas at Austin|University of Texas]] monogram]]

{{see also|Logo}}
Some companies and organizations adopt a monogram for a logo, usually with the letters of their [[acronym]]. For example, as well as having an official [[Seal (emblem)|seal]], and the [[Texas Longhorns]] logo, the [[University of Texas at Austin]] uses a "UT" monogram (in the same color as the Longhorns logo, [[burnt orange]]). The [[New York Yankees]] baseball team also uses a monogram on their [[ball cap]] insignia. <!-- (I'm commenting out this bit because it makes no sense. If you can explain, please do. Thanks!)  and French [[soccer]] team [[Olympique de Marseille]] use a monogram taken from in funder. --> The [[Consolidated Edison]] logo, with a rounded "E" nested inside a "C", has been described as a "classic emblem."<ref>[[Bloomberg BusinessWeek|BusinessWeek]] online, [https://web.archive.org/web/20050813024652/http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/aug2005/id20050811_494381.htm Con Ed: The Power of a Logo], 11 August 2005.</ref>

Many fashion companies have a monogram for a logo, including [[Louis Vuitton]] and [[Fendi]]. The connected "CC" company logo, created by [[Coco Chanel]], is one of the most recognizable monograms internationally.

The [[victor (symbol)|victor]] is a monogram of the Latin {{lang|la|victor}} or Spanish {{lang|es|vítor}} painted on Spanish and Hispanic universities to celebrate a student receiving a [[doctorate]].

Athletes have also been known to brand merchandise with their monogram logo; notably [[Tiger Woods]] and [[Roger Federer]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brubach|first1=Holly|title=The Main Characters of Tennis, and Style|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/31/sports/tennis/31logo.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0|access-date=21 August 2014|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=August 29, 2009}}</ref>
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| image2            = Clayton Kershaw on May 20, 2015.jpg
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| image5            = Jurickson Profar in left field, Oct 07 2022 (cropped).jpg
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== Resistance symbols in wartime ==

A notable example of a royal monogram is the [[H7 (monogram)|H7]] monogram of King [[Haakon VII of Norway]]. While in exile during World War II, Haakon VII spearheaded the Norwegian resistance to the [[Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany|German occupation]], and H7 became a symbol used by the Norwegian populace to mark solidarity and loyalty to the King, and adherence to the [[Norwegian resistance movement]]. The act of drawing or creating a H7 symbol in German-occupied Norway was punishable by imprisonment.<ref>{{cite news|title=Meldinger fra Norge|last=Hjeltnes|first=Guri|author-link=Guri Hjeltnes|date=7 April 2008|work=VG|pages=2|language=no}}</ref>

Similarly, in [[Poland in World War II|Poland]] during the war, the "PW" monogram was used as a resistance symbol, known as 'The Anchor' ({{langx|pl|[[Kotwica]]|links=no}}), due to its characteristic shape. Its meaning varied, as the initials were useful for many different slogans, such as 'Poland Fights', 'Warsaw Uprising', 'Polish Army', and others. Like the Norwegian example above, its use was punished by the Nazi occupation authorities.
Another example is the monogram of [[La Liga Filipina]]. The monogram sees the letters [[L]] and [[F]] as well as two hexagons.
<gallery>
Kotwica symbol.svg|{{lang|pl|Polska Walcząca}} – "Fighting Poland"
La Liga Filipina monogram.svg|Monogram of LLF
</gallery>

==Zirkel==
[[File:Zirkel wiki glatt.JPG|thumb|upright|[[w:Zirkel (Studentenverbindung)|Zirkel]] composed of E, F, V.]]
{{main|Zirkel (Studentenverbindung)}}
In the [[Germanosphere]], certain student societies (''[[Studentenverbindung]]'') use monograms known as ''[[Zirkel (Studentenverbindung)|Zirkel]]'' ("circle", as in "circle of friends"), consisting of the initial letter of the organization's name and/or the letters v,c,f or e,f,v, together with an exclamation mark if the society is still active.

==Japanese==
{{main|Japanese rebus monogram}}
A Japanese rebus monogram is a monogram in a particular style, which spells a name via a [[rebus]], as a form of [[Japanese wordplay]] or [[visual pun]]. Today they are most often seen in corporate logos or product logos.

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="170px">

File:Chi Rho Mosaic, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, AD 425, Ravenna.jpg|Late Roman-early [[Byzantine architecture|Byzantine]] [[Chi Rho]] and [[Alpha and Omega]] monogram in the [[Mausoleum of Galla Placidia]], [[Ravenna]], Italy, unknown architect or mosaic craftsman, 425-450

File:Hagia Sophia upper gallery capital in 2009 0858.jpg|Byzantine monogram of [[Justinian I]] in [[Hagia Sophia]], [[Istanbul]], [[Turkey]], unknown sculptor, [[capital (architecture)|capital]] designed by [[Anthemius of Tralles]] and [[Isidore of Miletus]], 537

File:Cognac 16 Linteau&chiffre François Ier 2014.JPG|[[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] monogram of [[Francis I of France]] on the [[Château de Cognac]], [[Cognac]], France, unknown sculptor or architect, 1517

File:Kronene i Håvet.JPG|[[Norway|Norwegian]] royal monograms carved in a mountainside to mark royal visits to [[Kongsberg]] since 1623

File:Cartouche Regnaudin Amelot de Bisseuil.jpg|[[Baroque architecture|Baroque]] monogram on the door of the [[Hôtel Amelot de Bisseuil]] ([[Rue Vieille-du-Temple]] no. 47), Paris, designed by [[Pierre Cottard]], 1657-1660

File:Paris - le Dôme des Invalides - détail de la porte - 104.jpg|Baroque monogram of [[Louis XIV]] made of [[acanthus (ornament)|acanthuses]], on the entrance door of the [[Les Invalides|Dôme des Invalides]], Paris, designed by [[Jules Hardouin-Mansart]], 1677–1706<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bailey |first1=Gauvin Alexander |title=Baroque & Rococo |date=2012 |publisher=Phaidon |isbn=978-0-7148-5742-8 |language=en|pages=238}}</ref>

Jatte à punch (Louvre, OA 10969) - Monogramme.jpg|[[Rococo]] monogram on the punch bowl "with small vases and garlands" of [[Madame du Barry]], by the [[Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory]], 1771, painted and gilded porcelain, [[Louvre]] 

File:Service of Cardinal Prince Louis de Rohan, Sevres Porcelain Manufactory, 1771-1772 - Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art - DSC08919.JPG|Rococo monogram on a plate from a service of [[Louis-René de Rohan|Cardinal Prince Louis de Rohan]], by the Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, 1771-1772, painted and gilded porcelain, [[Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art]], [[Kansas City]], [[Texas]], US

File:Monogram on a cone-shaped vase, part of a pair, by Nicolas Bugeard?, mid-19th century, hard-paste porcelain, painted and gilded, given by Charles Bastien, 1922, inv. 22766 B, Museum of Decorative Arts, Paris.jpg|[[Rococo Revival]] monogram on a cone-shaped vase, part of a pair, possibly by [[Nicolas Bugeard]], mid-19th century, hard-paste porcelain, painted and gilded, [[Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris|Museum of Decorative Arts]], Paris

File:Père-Lachaise - Division 69 - Miton 05.jpg|[[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] monogram of the Grave of the Miton family in the [[Père-Lachaise Cemetery]], Paris, unknown architect or painter, {{circa}}1870

File:Porte-monnaie, 1990.116.9.jpg|Rococo Revival monogram on a box, {{circa}}1880, ivory, metal and [[satin]], [[Musée Galliera]], Paris

File:25 Strada Lipscani, Bucharest (14).jpg|[[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux-Arts]] monogram of the [[National Bank of Romania]] in the [[BNR Building]], [[Bucharest]], [[Romania]], designed by [[Paul Louis Albert Galeron]], [[Grigore Cerchez]] or [[Constantin Băicoianu (architect)|Constantin Băicoianu]], 1883-1900

File:115 Calea Victoriei, Bucharest (15).jpg|[[Romanesque Revival architecture|Romanesque Revival]] monogram on the entrance door of the [[Monteoru House]], Bucharest, designed by [[Ion Mincu]] or [[Nicolae Cuțarida]], 1887-1889

File:Monogram Opera Comique.jpg|Beaux-Arts monogram on the [[Salle Favart|Théâtre de l'Opéra-Comique]], Paris, designed by [[Louis Bernier]], 1893-1898

File:Grave of Georgiev Brothers in the Bellu Cemetery in Bucharest, Romania (03).jpg|[[Romanian Revival architecture|Romanian Revival]] monogram on the Grave of Georgiev Brothers, [[Bellu Cemetery]], Bucharest, by Ion Mincu, {{circa}}1900

file:Troitske014.jpg|[[Art Nouveau]] monogram, part of the illustration that is on the back of a photo, illustration created around 1900, ink on cardboard, [[Troitske Local History Museum]], [[Troitske]], [[Ukraine]]

File:Paris May 2012 - ESPCI ParisTech (18).jpg|[[Art Deco]] monogram of the [[ESPCI Paris]] ([[Rue Vauquelin]] no. 10), Paris, unknown architect of blacksmith, {{circa}}1925

File:Chanel logo interlocking cs.svg|[[Coco Chanel]]'s logo
File:Christian VII AR Speciedaler 79001450.jpg|Speciedaler of [[Denmark]], bearing the double C7 monogram of [[Christian VII of Denmark|Christian VII]]
File:Louis Vuitton Bucket GM Large Shoulder Bag – Preowned4u.jpg|[[Louis Vuitton]] monogram patterned on a shoulder bag
File:Mark Twain-The American Claimant-1896-Logo on Cover.jpg|Logo on cover of 1896 edition of ''[[:en:The American Claimant|The American Claimant]]'' by [[Mark Twain]]
File:Mongr Serv 01.jpg|[[Napkin]] with embroidered monogram
File:Royal Monogram of King Boris III of Bulgaria.svg|Royal Monogram of [[Kingdom of Bulgaria|Bulgarian]] king [[Boris III of Bulgaria|Boris III]]
File:Royal Monogram of King Rama X.svg|Royal monogram of King [[Maha Vajiralongkorn]] of Thailand
File:Somerville and Ross monograms.png|Paired monograms of the authors [[Edith Somerville|Edith Œnone Somerville]] and [[Violet Florence Martin|Martin Ross]]
File:Royal Monogram of Princess Margarita Of Romania.svg|Cypher of [[Margareta of Romania]].
File:Tolkien monogram.svg|[[John Ronald Reuel Tolkien|John Ronald Reuel Tolkien's]] monogram, stylistically referring to the [[Tengwar]] writing he developed.
File:House flag of the Pickands Mather Company (blue and red monogram).svg|[[House flag]] of the [[Pickands Mather Company]].
File:Toyota EU.svg|1989 [[Toyota]] logo containing all letters of the name in the Latin alphabet.
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[One-letter word]]
*[[Siglum]]
*[[Signum manus]]
*[[Interrobang]]
*[[Huaya]]
*[[Typographic ligature|Ligature]]
*[[Varsity letter]]
*[[Nicolas Verrien]], 17th-century French monogram designer
*[[Sigil (magic)]]
*[[Tughra]]
*[[Wordmark]]

==References==
{{Commons category|Monograms}}
<references/>

{{Personal names}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Monograms]]