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THE ESTRANGELA

LETTERS

03-09-2000
The estrangela script is the same as the common script, except that it is the ancient form and vowels are not used. Everything before 500 A.D was written in estrangela, including the patristic scrolls. Currently, most of biblical quotes and writings, are written estrangela. The script is also used for titles, headings, and book and album titles. The word estrangela come from two words, (STDAARR) = "to write" and (E-WUN-GAA-LEE-ON) = gospel. There are six letters that look different. The rest look almost the exact same.
Here are the six letters and a comparison to the common script:


Quickview of the the Estrangela Letters


ALAP

(Equivilant to "A")
ORR-HAAY
- - - - Edessa.
The city where Christianity began for Assyrians.
In modern day Urfa, Turkey, it is called by Assyrians,
"the blessed city". King Abgar Okooma V (the black one),
son of Mano, was an AASHOORREE (Assyrian) king. He
had a mortal sickness (leprosy) and told EESHO (Jesus)
in a letter that he had heard a great deal of him and
his miracles. He said he believes in him, "you must
be God or the son of God and I ask you to come and cure
my sickness". Jesus wrote back and said that his time was
occupied but he would send two of his apostles, MAR TOOMAA
(Thomas) and MAR ADDAI (Thaddaeus). After he was cured,
the entire kingdom and the ASHOORREE population converted
to Christianity and dressed in sackcloth. Everyone,
including the animals, fasted for 3 days and we still
celebrate and fast on Dec. 20. Thus, Assyrians were one
of the first Christians (300 years before Constantinople).
After 2000 years, we still liturigically honor him.

EEL / AA-LAA-HAA- - - - God.
EEL is the ancient word for God. It is used in conjuntion
with names like; Emmanuel (God with us (UMUN EEL)) and Daniel
(God's Judgement (DYAANTAA D EEL)) and Gabriel (powerful God
(GAA-BAA-RRAA EEL)) etc..
AA-NIN-QAA-YAA (MO) / AA-NIN-QE-TAA (FO)- - - - necessary / anything indespensible / important.
Writing the letter.

  • Beginning on right side above top line, make a long slanted slope downward toward the left 3/4 above base line.
  • On left-end of line, make a short, slightly angled, downward stroke to base line in a slight angle.
  • From middle of top line, make another short, slightly angled, line to base line in a slight angle.










    DALAT

    (Equivilant to "D")
    DAA-YAA-NAA / DYAAN-TAA - - - - judge / judgement. (QAA-NOON = law).

    DURR-BAA - - - - wound / laceration / sore / scab / syphilis / venereal disease.

    DI-KAA-NAA - - - - store / shop.
    Writing the letter.


  • Make a short vertical line with a downward (upward if preceeded by a connecting letter) stroke.
  • On top of line, from right to left, draw a very slightly curved line to top of vertical line.
  • Draw a dot on bottom left-hand corner of letter.


    HEH

    (Equivilant to "H")
    HU-KEEM - - - - doctor.

    HOOJ-RRAA- - - - office / a small room where business is transacted.

    HU-DAA-MAA (M) / HU-DAAM-TAA (F) - - - - member / an essential part of anything / one of an association or community / a limb or organ.
    Writing the letter.

  • Make a short vertical line with a downward (upward if preceeded by a connecting letter) stroke.
  • On top of line, to the left, draw a straight line.
  • From the left of line, connect a curved line to base line.
  • From the middle of top line, make a line from top to base line.











    MEEM

    (Equivilant to "M")
    MHU-DYAA-NAA / MHU-DYAAN-TAA - - - - leader / a guide / director

    MUN-SHOOQ-TAA     - - - - kiss.
    (BAA-CH'E = kiss (word used by children))

    M-DEE-TAA- - - - city / a large town / a municipality.
    (MAA-TAA = VILLAGE), (MAAT-WAA-T'E = villages)





    Writing the letter.

  • Begin with a short downward stroke.
  • On top of line, leftward, draw a long horizontal line.
  • From right of bottom line, draw a line to the left without going past the center of top line.
  • From center of top line, draw a short line to base line.
  • Finish off with a short line to the left.











    RESH

    (Equivilant to "R")
    RROO-KHAA - - - - spirit / ghost.
    (GAA-NAA = soul / spirit).

    RRAA-YAA - - - - shepherd.

    RRU-KEE-KHAA    - - - - soft.
    (RRUQ = hard / stiff / solid.)





    Writing the letter.

  • Begin with a short downward stroke.
  • Connect the top of the line with a short, very slightly curved, horizontal line going rightward.
  • Place a dot above horizontal line in the center.











    TAW

    (Equivilant to "T")


     TUL-GAA - - - - snow.
    GDEE-LAA = ice, MI-TDRRAA = rain.

     TURR-BAA- - - - fat / greasy or oily matter of an animal.

    TUK-LAAT     - - - - I wish... / Let us hope / an expression of desire or with.





     Writing the letter.

  • Make a short vertical line with a downward (upward if preceeded by a connecting letter) stroke.
  • On top of line, to the left, draw a straight horizontal line.
  • From left of letter, draw a semi-circle to center of horizontal line.
  • Finish off with a vertical stroke past the upper base line.

    All of the the Estrangela and common Letters