Theta nigrum
Symbol of death
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The theta nigrum (lit. 'black theta') or theta infelix (lit. 'unlucky theta') is a symbol of death in Greek and Latin epigraphy.[1] Isidore of Seville notes the letter was appended after the name of a deceased soldier and finds of papyri containing military records have confirmed this use.[1] Additionally it can be seen in the Gladiator Mosaic.
The term theta nigrum was coined by Theodor Mommsen. It consists of a circle with a horizontal line and thus resembles the majuscule Θ (theta) of the Greek alphabet. The theta signified Thanatos, the Greek deity of death.[2]
Computer encoding
The symbol is not encoded in Unicode but the U+0398 Θ GREEK CAPITAL LETTER THETA (Θ), U+03F4 ϴ GREEK CAPITAL THETA SYMBOL and U+2C90 Ⲑ COPTIC CAPITAL LETTER THETHE can all be used as a substitute. However, the theta nigrum can be reproduced most accurately by the U+A74A Ꝋ LATIN CAPITAL LETTER O WITH LONG STROKE OVERLAY, as this is the only symbol in which the cross stroke consistently protrudes beyond the circle.
See also
- Scribal abbreviation – Abbreviations used by ancient and medieval scribes
