Khelrtva

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]

A royal charter of King George IV of Georgia with his khelrtva. AD 1222. Kept at the National Archives of Georgia in Tbilisi.

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

Queens regnant

• 
  Khelrtva of Queen Tamar
• 
  Khelrtva of Queen Rusudan

Queens consort

• 
  Khelrtva of Queen consort Ketevan the Martyr
• 
  Khelrtva of Queen consort Darejan of Kakheti
• 
  Khelrtva of Queen consort Mariam Dadiani

Patriarchs

• 
  Khelrtva of Patriarch Zachary
• 
  Asomtavruli khelrtva of Patriarch Joseph
• 
  Khelrtva of Patriarch Anton II
• 
  Khelrtva of Patriarch Ilia II

Presidents, Prime Ministers, Speakers

• 
  Khelrtva of President Salome Zurabishvili
• 
  Khelrtva of Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze
• 
  Khelrtva of Speaker Shalva Papuashvili

See also

• Huaya (Japanese: 花押), stylised calligraphic signatures used in East Asia
• Tughra (Ottoman Turkish: طغرا), stylised Arabic signatures used by Ottoman sultans