Borjgali
Borjgali (Georgian: ბორჯღალი; also Borjgala or Borjgalo; Borçgali in Laz) is a Georgian symbol of the Sun and eternity.[1][2] The Borjgali is often represented with seven rotating wings over the tree of life which can be used to create various shapes and variations and is considered one of the main symbols of Georgian culture.[3]
Etymology
The term Borjgali translates to "the flow of time" from Megrelian borj "time" and gal "pass" or "flow". The word is believed to derive from the Megrelian term ბარჩხალი (barchkhali), which means "brilliance" or "glitter." Other scholars believe its origin is from Old Georgian ბურჯი (burji) "time" and "ღალ" (ghal) "holy fruit" or "harvest," together meaning "holy fruit sprouting from time."[4]
Usage
This pre-Christian symbol was widely used in both western (Colchis) and eastern (Iberia) Georgia, appearing in Georgian architecture’s Dedabodzi (ka) (“mother-pillar”), a central sacred pillar comparable to a king post, as part of a Darbazi in the Kura–Araxes culture, where it served as a holy symbol.[5] During the medieval period, this symbol was incorporated into Christian symbolism. It is depicted on well-known cathedrals such as Svetitskhoveli and Bagrati Cathedral.[6] Nowadays, the symbol is used on Georgian IDs and passports, as well as on the national currency and by the Georgian Rugby Union. Georgian rugby team players are called ბორჯღალოსნები (borjgalosnebi), which means “men bearing the Borjgali.” It was also used on the naval ensign of Georgia during the late 1990s and early 2000s.[7]
Gallery
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Colchian representation of the Borjgali -
Borjgali on the Cathedral of Oshki -
Borjgali on a Georgian coin -
Borjgali on 100 Georgian lari -
Georgian rugby player with Borjgali on his shorts and shirt -
Borjgali on Georgian Airways -
Borjgali in Fereydunshahr -
Borgali on the former Georgian naval ensign, used during the late 1990s and early 2000s
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See also
- Laz people
- Arevakhach
- Hilarri
- Lauburu
- Triskelion
- Swastika
- Western use of the swastika in the early 20th century
References
- ↑ Evolving Virtual and Computational Paleontology. (2020). (n.p.): Frontiers Media SA. p.131 : "seven-rayed symbol of sun and eternity typical of Georgia"
- ↑ Mikaberidze, A. (2015). Historical Dictionary of Georgia. United Kingdom: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p.204
- ↑ "Georgian National Museum". https://www.behance.net/gallery/80748061/GEORGIAN-NATIONAL-MUSEUM.
- ↑ "ბორჯღალას წარმოშობა, ეტიმოლოგია და მნიშვნელობა" (in ka-GE). 2017-04-20. https://www.doctrina.ge/borjghalas-tsarmoshoba-eti/.
- ↑ რატი იონათამიშვილი, ”ბორჯღალასა და სვასტიკის გენეზისისთვის”, თბ. (2006) [Rati Ionatamishvili, Genesis of the Borjgali and the Swastika, Tbilisi, 2006]
- ↑ Zurab Kiknadze, Georgian Mythology, Tbilisi: Bakmi, 2007, pp. 46–47.
- ↑ Armand du Payrat, CV(R) (2000) (in French, English). Album des pavillons nationaux et des marques distinctives / National flags and distinctive markings. Daniel Roudaut (ill.) (8th ed.). Brest (France): S.H.O.M. (Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine). pp. 238. 978-2-11-088247-9. ISBN 2-11-088247-6.Previous edition: [pie90]
Format: A4 (tall) (279×210 mm)
Further reading
- Symbol dictionary [1]
- Historical Dictionary of Georgia, Alexander Mikaberidze
- T. Wilson „The swastika, the earliest known symbol and its migrations“ Wosh. 1990
- Transcaucasian Banknotes, Arutiun Airapetian, p. 52
Template:Symbols of Georgia (country) Template:Georgia (country) topics
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