Monograms are part of history and culture. They have been used for centuries not only as an artful design adorning a favorite item, but as a religious symbol in Christianity. Though the modern monogram is only about 150 years old, it is still a rich and classic way to identify ones self.

The standard monograms we are all accustomed to are the three letter monograms. This type of monogram will have three letters each identifying the first, middle, and last initial of a name. The first initial will go on the left, the middle initial on the right, and the last initial directly in the middle. Often times these monograms are decorated with artistic calligraphy or flowing embellishments. This type of monogram is commonly used in items such as wedding invitations, towels, jewelry, and other household items to identify the owner.

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Monograms have been used for many years as signatures for many things, but gained the most popularity and use in the early 20th century. In the 1920′s and 1930′s the monogram was in the height of fashion and the classiest gentlemen and ladies had theirs on their most fashionable pieces. The classic monograms most people will recognize are monogrammed towels or the always classic monogrammed piece of jewelry. A monogram is made from two or more overlapping letters to form a symbol or design. The most recognizable would be the first, middle, and last initials of ones name.

Monograms on gravestones were very popular not more than 200 years ago and are now being used for history buffs looking for information about their ancestors. A family monogram was especially popular with the Irish and many families had their own unique monogram designed to separate them from others.

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