Borjgali

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."

Usage

This pre-Christian symbol was widely used in both western (Colchis) and eastern (Iberia) Georgia, appearing in Georgian architecture’s ** (“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. During the medieval period, this symbol was incorporated into Christian symbolism. It is depicted on well-known cathedrals such as Svetitskhoveli and Bagrati Cathedral. 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.

Gallery

File:Simon Janashia Museum of Georgia 101.jpg|Colchian representation of the Borjgali File:Borjgali and Star of David in Oshki.jpg|Borjgali on the Cathedral of Oshki File:1-50 Tetri back.png|Borjgali on a Georgian coin File:Ge-money-lari-100.jpg|Borjgali on 100 Georgian lari File:Tedo Zibzibadze 2011.jpg|Georgian rugby player with Borjgali on his shorts and shirt File:Airzena Boeing 737-500 Pichugin.jpg|Borjgali on Georgian Airways File:სამშობლო.jpg|Borjgali in Fereydunshahr File:Naval ensign of Georgia (1997–2004).svg|Borgali on the former Georgian naval ensign, used during the late 1990s and early 2000s

References

References

1. Evolving Virtual and Computational Paleontology. (2020). (n.p.): Frontiers Media SA. p.131 : "''seven-rayed symbol of sun and eternity typical of Georgia''"
2. Mikaberidze, A. (2015). Historical Dictionary of Georgia. United Kingdom: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p.204
3. "Georgian National Museum".
4. (2017-04-20). "ბორჯღალას წარმოშობა, ეტიმოლოგია და მნიშვნელობა".
5. რატი იონათამიშვილი, ”ბორჯღალასა და სვასტიკის გენეზისისთვის”, თბ. (2006) [Rati Ionatamishvili, ''Genesis of the Borjgali and the Swastika'', Tbilisi, 2006]
6. Zurab Kiknadze, ''Georgian Mythology'', Tbilisi: Bakmi, 2007, pp. 46–47.
7. Armand du Payrat, CV(R). (2000). "Album des pavillons nationaux et des marques distinctives / National flags and distinctive markings". S.H.O.M. (Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine).