Greek Letter Origins
Semitic peoples used the original Palaeo
Hebrew alphabet which represented a list of every day items in the
order of their importance for survival. You can find some interesting linguistics in these books about Greek and Hebrew.
You can order any of these books on the history of the Greek Alphabet below.
The Origin of the Greek Letter Alpha
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Aleph
The original Semitic letter Aleph from which we get the Greek Alpha was a pictograph meaning ox, which was the principal staple for food and clothing for Semitic peoples.
The Origin of the Greek Letter Beta
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Beth
The original Beth, from which we get the Greek Beta, was a pictograph meaning house. This represented shelter for Semitic peoples.
The Origin of the Greek Letter Gamma
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Gimmel
The original Semitic letter Gimmel, from which we get the Greek Gamma, was a pictograph meaning camel. It was the principal possession for transportation for Semitic peoples.
The Origin of the Greek Letter Delta
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Daleth
The original Semitic letter Daleth, from which we get the Greek Delta, was a pictograph meaning door. This was a necessary part of Semitic life.
The Origin of the Greek Letter Epsilon
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter He
The original Semitic letter He, from which we get the Greek letter Epsilon, was a pictograph for a window meaning behold, and also carried the meanings "the" and "to reveal".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Zeta
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Zayin
The original Semitic letter Zayin, from which we get the Greek letter Zeta, was a pictograph meaning weapon, which also carried the meaning cut, or cut off.
The Origin of the Greek Letter Eta
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Heth
The original Semitic letter Heth, from which we get the Greek Eta, was a pictograph for fence or inner room. It also carried the meaning "private" or "to separate".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Theta
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Teth
The original Semitic letter Teth, from which we get the Greek Theta, was a pictograph meaning snake or surround. Some sources say that it meant "teeth".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Iota
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Yodh
The original Semitic letter Yodh, from which we get the Greek Iota, was a pictograph meaning "a closed hand". It also carried the meaning "work", "a deed", or "to make".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Kappa
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Caph
The original Semitic letter Caph, from which we get the Greek Kappa, was a pictograph of a palm or open hand. It also carried the meaning of "to cover", "to open", or "to allow.
The Origin of the Greek Letter Lambda
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Lamedh
The original Semitic letter Lamedh, from which we get the Greek Lambda, was a pictograph for a cattle goad. It also carried the meaning "control", "authority", "the tongue".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Mu
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Mem
The original Semitic letter Mem, from which we get the Greek Mu, was a pictograph meaning water, which was necessary to sustain life.
The Origin of the Greek Letter Nu
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Nun
The original Semitic letter Nun, from which we get the Greek Nu, was a pictograph for a fish darting through the water. It also carried the meanings "activity", or "life".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Ksi
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Samech
The original Semitic letter Samech, from which we get the Greek Ksi, was a pictograph for a prop. It also carried the meaning "support, twist slowly, turn".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Omicron
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Ayin
The original Semitic letter Ayin, from which we get the Greek letters Omicron and Omega, was a pictograph for an eye. It also carried the meaning "to see, know, experience".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Pi
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Pe
The original Semitic letter Pe, from which we get the Greek Pi, was a pictograph for mouth. It also carried the meaning "to speak", "a word", or "to open".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Rho
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Resh
The original Semitic letter Resh, from which we get the Greek Alpha, was a pictograph for a head. It also carried the meanings "a person", "the head", or "the highest".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Sigma
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Sin
The original Semitic letter Sin, from which we get the Greek Sigma, was a pictograph for teeth. It also carried the meanings "to consume" or "to destroy".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Tau
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Taw
The original Semitic letter Taw, from which we get the Greek Tau was a pictograph for a sign. It also carried the meanings "to seal" or "to covenant".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Upsilon
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Waw
The original Semitic letter Waw, from which we get the Greek Upsilon, was a pictograph for a nail or peg. It also carried the meanings "and", "to add", or "to secure".
The Origin of the Greek Letter Phi
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter source is under dispute
The source of the Greek letter Phi is unknown.
The Origin of the Greek Letter Chi
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter source is under dispute
The Origin of the Greek Letter Psi
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter source is under dispute
The Origin of the Greek Letter Omega
The Palaeo-Hebrew letter Ayin
The original Semitic letter Ayin, from which we get the Greek Alpha, was a pictograph for eye. It also carried the meanings "to see", "know", "experience".
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