Eternal Alphabet: Th (t‘o) - Թ (թo)

The numerical value of Թ is 9. Number nine, which is the triple repetition of three, similarly represents the idea of the Holy Trinity. That is why, in the alphabetic acrostic written by Mashtots, letter Թ stands for a word that is the metaphor of the God – Թագաւոր (Таgаvоr – the king). The God was addressed as the king by the authors of sharakans (spiritual songs), wherein the God is called the “King of Heaven”, “King of Glory”, “King of Eternity”. The source of such titles is the Bible, which says: “Lord is the King of the earth” (Psalm 46:8), “Lord is the great King above all gods” (Psalm 94:3).

The first version of this letter with a curl lying on the line ( ), can be seen in the earliest patterns of the written language. The second one appeared later, approximately in the X century: its curl was slightly raised and its only supporting part was the left vertical line. What was the cause of such transformation? Aesthetic reasons or anything else?

There is no definite answer to this question, but in any case this innovation imparted certain dynamics and grace to this static and even a little stocky letter. Թ թ is one of the most originally and gracefully constructed letters, he many varieties of which resemble rather an ornament that a written character. In present-day type fonts there are two principal variants of the capital letter Թ. As to the small letter թ, its structure is similar to the second type, but its sizes are smaller.