Beta Sigma
Greek Alphabet – A Source of Tattoo Lettering Designs by Romeo Rodriguez
The Greek Alphabet surfaced at about the same time the first Olympic Games came into play during 700 BC. This alphabet was set apart from the rest when it became the first ancient writing system in the West to have a symbol for very sound – vowels and consonants alike. Like the modern alphabet, the ancient Greek alphabet has symbols for upper and lower case, with the latter more frequently used. It was written primarily right to left, but was later reversed and has remained so until today. There were two main categories of the Greek Alphabet – one became the Latin alphabet, while the other is the Greek we know at present times.
Throughout history, scholars, astronomers, and scientists used the Greek Alphabet for symbols in their study and research. For instance, the science of physics uses the Greek letter λ (lambda) for example to mean ‘wavelength’, while the Greek letter ω (omega) represents ‘ohms’, a measure of electrical resistance. Computer users are most probably aware of the symbol σ (sigma) appearing in the toolbar of Microsoft Excel, which represents a ’sum’.
As the 18th century wound to a close, university students had grown to become enamored with Greek Classics and had become adept in Greek and Latin languages. During this period, a person of higher learning would have been naturally acquainted with Homer’s Odyssey in its original Greek text. This overwhelming fascination with Greek literature has led university students to take certain Greek letter to identify their secret societies within universities and colleges. These secret societies became later known as fraternities and sororities.
Fraternities and sororities were distinct because of their passion of learning and recognized for their codes of high ethical conduct, secret rituals, oaths, and membership badges. Their descendant societies in colleges and universities today all still proudly sport the particular letters of the Greek Alphabet of their society. Whether you were – or are – a member of a Greek Fraternity or not, there are very few among people today who could truthfully claim that they have no idea what Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma and Epsilon mean. Most likely they have heard about the Greek alphabet list all the way to Omega at some point in their daily lives.
Among the brothers of many fraternities and the sisters of many sororities, getting a tattoo of your society’s name is as every bit a rite of passage and a ritual as the “secret handshake” that identifies fellow members.
If you’re considering a tattoo lettering design using the Greek alphabet, click here to learn more.
About the Author
Romeo Rodriguez is a tattoo enthusiast and blogger. Having gotten his first ink at the age of 15, he has been in love with tattoos, their design and their past ever since.
Beta Sigma Fraternity Palawan Medical Mission
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