Borjgali

Borjgali (Georgian: ბორჯღალი; also Borjgala or Borjgalo) is a Georgian symbol of the Sun with seven rotating wings around a tree of life. The borjgali can be considered as a main symbol of Georgian culture.

Etymology

The term Borjgali is believed to derive from Megrelian word ბარჩხალი (barchkhali), which literally means "strong shining". Some other scholars believe that it has different origins. In old Megrelian borj means "time" and gal means "pass" or "flow". So the whole phrase would mean "the flow of time".

Usage

Georgian rugby player with Borjgali on his shorts and shirt

This pre-Christian symbol was widely used in both western (Colchis) and eastern Georgia (in Georgian architecture's Dedabodzi (pillar) as part of the Kura–Araxes culture) as a holy symbol. During the medieval period, this symbol was incorporated as a part of Christian symbolism Nowadays, the symbol is used in Georgian IDs and passports, as well as on currency and by the Georgian Rugby Union. Georgian rugby team players are called ბორჯღალოსნები (borjgalosnebi), which means "Men bearing Borjgali". It was also used on the naval ensign of Georgia during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Georgian nationalists often use symbol to emphasize national pride.

Gallery

• 
  Colchian representation of the Borjgali
• 
  Borjgali on a Georgian coin
• 
  Borjgali on 100 Georgian lari
• 
  Borjgali on Georgian Airways
• 
  Borjgali in Fereydunshahr
• 
  Borgali on the former Georgian naval ensign, used during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

See also

• Armenian eternity sign
• Hilarri
• Swastika
• Triskelion
• Western use of the swastika in the early 20th century

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