A khelrtva (Georgian: ხელრთვა, pronounced [χeɫɾtʰʷa]) is a Georgian calligraphic signature, monogram or seal, originally used by the Georgian monarchs, queens consort, patriarchs, royalty and nobility,[1][2][3] universally used since the early eleventh century.[4]
The word khelrtva literally means 'to decorate, adorn or beautify with hand' in Georgian, kheli (ხელი) meaning a hand and rtva (რთვა) meaning to decorate or adorn.
Khelrtva signatures were written in one of the three Georgian scripts, mostly in Nuskhuri and Mkhedruli scripts, though the monograms especially the royal ones were written in Asomtavruli script. Every Georgian monarch had their own individual khelrtva and was known as საუფლოჲ ხელი (sauploy kheli) literally meaning 'Hand of the Lord'. The tradition of khelrtvas is still in use in Georgia.[5]
Khelrtvas
Kings
Khelrtva of King Bagrat IV
Khelrtva of King George IV
Khelrtva of King Vakhtang VI
Khelrtva of King Solomon II
Khelrtva of King George XII
.svg)
Queens regnant
Queens consort
Khelrtva of Queen consort Ketevan the Martyr
Khelrtva of Queen consort Darejan of Kakheti
Khelrtva of Queen consort Mariam Dadiani
.svg)
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Patriarchs
.svg)
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.svg)
Presidents, Prime Ministers, Speakers
Khelrtva of President Salome Zurabishvili
Khelrtva of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze
Khelrtva of Speaker Shalva Papuashvili
.svg)
See also
- Huaya (Japanese: 花押), stylised calligraphic signatures used in East Asia
- Tughra (Ottoman Turkish: طغرا), stylised Arabic signatures used by Ottoman sultans
References
External links
- Khelrtva: Vignettes and Monograms Γεωργιανά Χειρόγραφα Ιεράς Μονής Ιβήρων Αγίου Όρους
- ჯიმშერ რეხვიაშვილი ხელრთვა - ისტორიისა და ხელნაწერის მშვენება (Jimsher Rekhviashvili - The Beauty of History and Manuscript) Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
- ოთხი რესტავრირებული ეტრატი "განადგურებას გადარჩენილი საბუთები საცავში ბრუნდება" თამარ კიკნაველიძე, 24 საათი (Four Restored Etrats Documents Surviving the Destruction Returned to the Repository, Tamar Kiknavelidze)