The Yodh Heh symbol

[Paul Younan]

July 4, 2009

I would appreciate an explanation of the Yodh Heh symbol [font=Estrangelo (V1.1)] hy [/font] used by the Church of the East. I know that the three dots above the symbol represent the trinity, but what is the dot below and what does Yodh Heh represent? One presentation that I have seen has a circle surrounding the symbol, and this web site has a cross inserted between the letters. Are these variations traditional?

Thanks

Otto

Hi Akhan Otto,

The Cross is kinda our own little variation here on this website. My friend made the symbol for me based on the more traditional YH of the CoE.

You know, I've heard all sorts of explanation regarding the dots. Some people say it's the Trinity and the one underneath is Unity. Others have told me that it was an ancient vowel marking system that we don't use anymore, others say it was in part akin to some early Hebraic vowel markings.

I'm sure there's an explanation in some yet to be translated manuscript somewhere. That's all I've ever been able to gather about it.