Monograms

The first Ottoman tughra, Orhan (1326).|thumb|right A tughra (; ) is a calligraphic monogram, seal or signature of a sultan that was affixed to all official documents and correspondence. Inspired by the tamgha, it was also carved on his seal and stamped on the coins minted during his reign. Very elaborate decorated versions were created for important documents that were also works of art in the tradition of Ottoman illumination, such as the example of Suleiman the Magnificent in the gallery below.

A monogram is a motif made by overlapping or combining two or more letters or other graphemes to form one symbol. Monograms are often made by combining the initials of an individual or a company, used as recognizable symbols or logos. A series of uncombined initials is properly referred to as a cypher (e.g. a royal cypher) and is not a monogram.

symbol with X and P together, representing Christ

thumb|Chrismon thumb| Chi-Rho symbol with [[Alpha and Omega on a 4th-century sarcophagus (Vatican Museums)]]

A '''''' (, ) is a Georgian calligraphic joined-up style signature, monogram or seal, originally used by the Georgian monarchs, queens consort, patriarchs, royalty and nobility, universally used since the early eleventh century.

McDonald's logo

monogram of a country's reigning sovereign

thumb|upright|The Staurogram, also called the Tau-Rho, and the Monogrammatic cross.|class=skin-invert-image [[File:P. Bodmer XIV-XV, staurogram.jpg|thumb|A staurogram used as τρ-ligature part of the spelling of the word σταυρον (as ) in Luke 14:27 (Papyrus Bodmer XIV, 2nd century).]] thumb|A Solidus (coin)|solidus minted under [[Anastasius I Dicorus (struck in Constantinople between 507–518). On the obverse is Victory standing left, holding a staff surmounted by a staurogram.]] thumb|An Early Christian lamps|oil lamp with staurogram from [[Caesarea Maritima. Glass Factory Museum, Nahsholim, Is

symbol on ancient manuscripts

Christian monogram

symbol celebrating a doctorate in Spanish and Hispanic universities

award in American schools