Chronogram

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Chronogram on the Golden Roof in Innsbruck . The year 1671 shown is a reminder of the restoration work after a severe earthquake.

A chronogram (or Eteostichon ) is a part of a sentence, a sentence, a motto or an inscription, usually a verse in Latin , in which those letters that can also be read as Roman numerals (I, V, X, L, C, D, M), indicate in their total the year of the event to which the text refers. Each letter that has a corresponding Roman numeral should actually have a meaning for determining the year; Chronograms in which readable letters as numbers have to be ignored in order to reach the desired year are referred to as "unclean". The only decisive factor is the sum of the numerical value letters, the subtraction of smaller numerical values ​​from the following larger ones, which is otherwise common with Roman numerals, does not take place.

The number letters are usually emphasized, for example by capitalization or thickening of the letters or by color highlighting by means of reddening or gold plating. A special feature are crypto (chrono) grams in which the number letters are not marked and remain “hidden”.

The letter Y can be counted as I + I = 2 , similar to W as V + V = 10 .

Importance and distribution

A chronogram consists of two text levels, in which an in-text with a time statement is hidden in the basic text. As occasional and artificial poetry, chronograms represent a literary form of small art. They also form part of the culture of remembrance .

historical development

Chronodistichon at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Požega in Croatia (1842)

Chronograms were not yet known in ancient times. They appeared in the Middle Ages and were particularly popular in the Renaissance and Baroque periods . Chronograms experienced their heyday in the first half of the 18th century. The use of this encryption technique spread throughout Europe and is still effective today.

As an encryption technique, the chronogram is connected with gematria or isopsephy . According to the Greek-Hebrew model, there have also been attempts at “fully alphabetical encryption ”, but these have not found widespread use.

Occurrence

Chronograms are mainly attached to architectural and art monuments (on sacred and profane buildings, memorial columns, epitaphs, church bells, organs, sundials), on coins and medals (see Achtbrüdertaler ) as well as in manuscripts and printed matter. Only more recent research has also produced the only evidence in the world to date for the use of a chronogram on a seal of the German Imperial Knighthood for the year 1779.

Chronograms are mostly made at the time of the event; But they can also be created retrospectively as a memorandum or memorial number.

Double and multiple chronograms are nothing special. Chronicles and devotional writings can also consist of chronograms.

Types of chronograms

  • In the pure chronogram , every word contains a number sign ("dummy words" are avoided).
  • In the natural chronogram the numerals are also in the correct order, e.g. B. A M ORE M AT V R I TAS = MMVI = 2006.
  • One speaks of an unclean chronogram if possible number letters are ignored.
  • A traditional, mostly religious text from which a chronogram is read is referred to as a pseudo-chronogram .
  • A chronogram whose text follows the meter of the hexameter is called a chronostichon .
  • A chronogram made of hexameter and pentameter is a chronodistichon .

Depending on the calendar system used, the indicated year can also refer to the creation of the world (3761 BC) according to the Jewish calendar .

Examples in ascending order

Until the 14th century

  • 810
    Merkspruch of Georg Philipp Harsdörffer (1647) on the occasion of the application of the "theodisca lingua":
    Kar L D it big V nserer te V ts C hen spra C hey pf L eger = DCCLLVV
Achtbrüdertaler from 1613, reverse with chronogram
  • 1156
    Eight Brothers Thaler of the Duchy of Saxony-Weimar with portraits of the eight sons of Duke Johann (1603–1605); The inscription on the reverse is broken up by two (below three) coats of arms, above the heads is the inscription:
    8.FRAT (res): DUC (es): SAXON (iae): / I UL (iaci): C L (iviae): M ONT (ium).
    (Eight brothers, dukes of Saxony, Jülich, Kleve and Berg.)
    In the section there is the inscription:
    L INEAE V INA = / = RIENSIS / 16 WA 13
    Explanation: The year 1156 refers to Henry the Lion (1156–1180, † 1195), who also had to fight for the inheritance of his father, Heinrich the Stolzen , Duke of Bavaria (1126–1138, † 1139). His cousin, Staufer King Friedreich I. Barbarossa (1152–1190) only awarded him his ancestral land, Duchy of Bavaria, in 1156 .
  • 1282
    Memorial number:
    fran C or VM t V rb I s s ICVLV S fert f V nera V esper = MCCLVVVVVVII
    (The Sicilian Vespers brings bad luck to the crowds of Franks)
  • 1307
    templis exilium dant C to LILIVM = CC + MLLVII
    (The Templars are sent into exile)
  • 1315
    On the terrible famine this year:
    ut lateat nullum tempus famis, ecce CVCVLLVM = MCCLLVVV
  • 1345
    On a votive table in the Beguinage in Amsterdam:
    C hr I st V s sa LV ator noster est, f VI t, er I tq V e, fort I s, p II s p IV s et V ere MI rab ILI s I n s I gn I s sa C rat I pan I s = MCCLLVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
    (Christ is our Savior, he was and will be, mighty, pious and truly wonderful for the believers in the sign of the holy bread)

15th century

  • 1432
    Dedication inscription on the altarpiece by the van Eyck brothers in the St. Bavo Church in Gent:
    V ERS V SE X TA M A I V OS C O LL O C AT A C TA T V ER I = MCCCLLXVVVVII
    (The verse enables you to go to the 6th May to consider the completed)
    It is considered the oldest known document in Europe.
  • 1466
    In the cryptochronogram in Gothic texture above the entrance door to the chapter house of the former Kreuzherrenkloster in Bentlage (near Rheine ), d is not yet a numerical value:
    Flecte cor et genua veniam deposcere cura = MCCCCLVVVI
    (bend your knees and your heart, ask for forgiveness)

16th Century

  • 1527
    On the “ Sacco di Roma ”:
    A L tera post C aptos Ga LL os pop VLI q V e f V rores, aestas te C apta Ro M a C r V enta f VI t = MCCCLLLLVVVVVII
    (The second year after the capture of the French and the people's frenzy was a bloody cruel one for you, Rome, through your conquest)
  • 1531 Reverse inscription
    on a medal on the death of the Swiss reformer Huldrych Zwingli :
    He LV et I ae Zv I ng LI D o C tor pastorq V e C e L ebr I s V n D ena o C tobr I s pass V s I n aethra V o L as = DDCCCLLLLVVVVVIIIIII
    (Zwingli, famous as a doctor and pastor in Switzerland, who died on October 11th and is flying in the shine of the sky)
  • 1532 The
    memorial for the year of the Nuremberg religious peace is the inscription on the cross:
    I es V s nazaren V s re X IVD aeor VM = MDXVVVVII
    (Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews)
  • 1572
    Memorandum for the year of the Parisian blood wedding :
    LV tet I a M ater natos s V os D e V ora VI t = MDLVVVVII
    (Mother Lutetia devoured her children)
  • 1594
    House inscription "Lange Straße 34", Detmold
    T V RER VM CV STOS E X STR VC TA HAE C TE C TA POTENTER A LI S S V B GRAT I S PROTEGE C HR I STE T VI S
    (?)
  • 1599
    At the baptismal font in St. Martin's Church in Stolberg :
    h IC ILL e fons no X a et sor D e gra V atos CVIV s e LV ta D e I V o C e rep V rgat aq V a = DDCCCCLLLXVVVVVVIIII
    (This is the well, the water of which, atoned by God's Word, purifies all those burdened with guilt and filth)
  • 1599
    At the town hall of Hannoversch Münden :
    IV st I t I ae f I gat L eges MV n D ae I ps V s I es V s fa XI t et natos I o V e IV ra beent = MDLXVVVVVVIIIIIIIII
    (Jesus himself may for Münden Establish righteousness and make the rights happy those born under Jupiter)

17th century

  • 1603
    In memory of the death of Queen Elizabeth I of England:
    M y D ay C losed I s I n I mmortality = MDCIII
  • 1619
    designation Elector Frederick V of the Palatinate as Winter King of Bohemia on an imperial leaflet:
    Fri ID he ICV s I . re X hye MI = MDCXVIIII
  • 1620
    House inscription "Am Markt 38" (Brandes'sche Apotheke), Bad Salzuflen
    D ANTE D EO I O V A N IL V A L ET I N VIDI A
    (If the Lord God grants (it), envy can do nothing. )
  • 1623
    A pseudochronogram for Ovid ( Tristia III 7, 42), which refers to the aftermath of the Kipper and Wipper times and at the same time serves as a typographical dating of the writing Admonition Sermon for Christian Resistance by Fabianus Natus:
    I r V s et est s V b I. to, q VI M o D o C roes V s erat = MDCVVVVIII
    (Suddenly a beggar is someone who was just croesus )
1625 , house inscription "Lange Straße 1", Bad Salzuflen
  • 1625
    House inscription "Lange Straße 1", Bad Salzuflen:
    S V RGE O I EHO V A ATQ V E DI SPERGE I N IMIC OS T V OS
    (Rise up, Jehovah, and disperse your enemies.)
  • 1626
    house inscription "Lange Straße 7", Bad Salzuflen; a double verse of the Eligic distich :
    S I T LAR I B V S NOS T R I S OPTO C ON C OR DI A C ONSTANS NOSTER ET ASS IDV O LVC EAT I GNE FO CV S
    (May this be my wish, in the house there is always peace and the fire of the hearth, it never goes out.)
    Note: The T is the result of a later, faulty repair.
  • 1630
    house inscriptions " Turmstrasse 23 ", Bad Salzuflen; a chronogram and a chronostitch:
    G L OR I A S I T D EO PA XI N TERRA. ET HO MI N I B V S BONA V O LV NTAS
    (Glory to God, peace on earth and a pleasure to men)
    PR I N CI P IVM D E V S AETERN V S F I N I SQ V E BEAT V S
    ( The beginning is at the same time the eternal God and a blessed end)
  • 1631
    4 ducats from the city of Nuremberg , see illustration on the right.
    VIVID A PA X C HR I ST I SER V ET NOS TE M P = ORE TR I ST I
    (Christ's living peace save us in this unhappy time) [ Note : the Thirty Years War ]
  • 1642
    Latin-English double chronogram at the beginning of the English Civil War (1642–1649):
    T V De V s I a M prop I t IV s s I s reg I regnoq V e h VIC V n IV erso = MDCVVVVVVVIIIIIII
    O go D no VV she VV fa V o V r to the k I ng an D th I s VV ho L e L an D = DDDLLVVVVVVVVII
“Centuria Chronostichorum” from the Flora sinensis by Michał Boym with around 100 chronograms for the year 1655
  • 1655
    “Centuria Chronostichorum” from the Flora sinensis by Michał Boym with around 100 chronograms, all of which show the year 1655, in which Emperor Leopold I was crowned King of Hungary. The first two are:
    MVC e L eres a D este, L eopo LD o L a VD es D ate
    (Come on, nimble muses, praise Leopold)
  • 1656
    Former house inscription " Schwalenberg Nr. 45" ( Pastor Obenolius Haus )
    HAS AE D ES N V T V FE C ER V NT PASTOR ET VX OR HER M ANN V S TR I N I PAXQ V E BONA I NS I T II S
    (Hermann, the pastor, and his wife built this house here on the Trinity and peace may live in it.)
  • 1666
    Reichstaler of the Principality of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel , on the death of August the Younger (1579–1666); three chronograms on the coin:
    1) O M N I A NON N I S I PRO VID O ET V EGETO C ONS ILI O
    (Everything only after careful and careful consideration.)
    2a) Q V AE L AETA FRON D E VI REBA M - N V N C
    2b) R I G VI - S IC TRANS I T G L OR I A MV N DI
    (Once I stood there in the lush foliage - now I stare up. This is how the glory of the world goes.)
  • 1671 An inscription was placed
    below the Golden Roof in Innsbruck to commemorate the restoration work after the violent earthquake of 1671:
    resta V ror post horren D os C ont I n V o anno et VL tra perpessos terrae M ot V s = MDCLVVVVI
    (I am being restored after the terrible earthquakes suffered continuously this year and beyond)
  • 1671
    house inscription "Mittelstraße 43", Horn ; In ignorance, missing letters were added incorrectly during a renovation in 1975:
    NE M O GA VD ET I N V TOG V E SE CVL O I
    (Nobody is happy in both worlds.)
  • 1674
    On the year of publication of the Apostolic Curse Mirror by Johann Georg Mestwert:
    In the year E I f LVC h f LeVC h f LVC hs h I n n V s C hr I sten M ens C hen s I nn! = MCCCCCLLLVVVVIIII
Plague column in Vienna (1679), chronogram in the last four lines
  • 1679
    Inscription on the Vienna plague column , with U for V:
    I ta V o VI : Anno D o MI n I sa LV ator I s N ostr I I es U C hr I st I = MDCLVVVVIIIIIIIII
    (This is how I vowed in [ 1679] of the Lord our Redeemer Jesus Christ)
  • 1682
    Inscription on the new organ from Maria Plain , with W for VV:
    A L PHONS V S ABBAS M ONASTER II W E I NGARTENS I S D E I PARÆ VI RG I N I S HONOR I F I ER I FE CI T = MDCLVVVVIIIIIIIIIIII
    (Alfons, Abbot of Weingarten Monastery, had [this] built in honor of the virgin Theotokos)
  • 1685
    Low German pressure information for the book Musa Nocturnia Murnerana by Nikolaus Baer (1639–1714):
    In the year VVIL V an n II e D e kater burst, b LIV T I nt gra V D he VL en hater = DDDLLLVVVVVIIIII

18th century

Koblenz (1702)
  • 1702
    Under a statue of the Virgin Mary on the facade of the Church of Our Lady in Koblenz :
    san C ta M ar I a D e pa C e ora pro nob I s = MDCCII
    (Holy Mary of Peace pray for us)
  • 1706
    At the pulpit in the parish church in Malschwitz , with Y for II:
    Ebenezer b I s h I erher hat V nser gott se I ne h VL fe V ns er VVI esen, he se Y a VC h I n I es V nah M en I e D erze I t V on V ns gepr I eßen = MDCLVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIII
  • 1709
    On the victory of the British troops over the French in the battle of Malplaquet :
    LILICIDIVM = MDCLLVIIII
    ("lily killing" - an allusion to the French national symbol of the time, the Bourbon lily )
  • 1710
    At the rectory in Marktbreit am Main:
    Ae D es h VC pos I tae perstent I n no MI ne C hr I st I = MDCCVIIIII
    (May the house put here endure in Christ's name)
  • 1713
    Böttingerhaus in Bamberg , above the vault of the gateway:
    D EO C ONF I SA S V O TRANQ VILL A M ANEB I T
    (If the household trusts in God, they will always live in peace.)
  • 1715
    At the former St. Joseph monastery church in Gronau (Leine) :
    D e V s C ert V s aspe C tor M e V s = MDCCVVV
    (God looks at me with a sure eye)
  • 1717
    Portal of the Namen-Jesu-Kirche Bonn :
    a patr V o ere C t VM nepos DIC a VI t = MDCCVVVII
    (built by the uncle, the nephew consecrated it)
  • 1722
    At the plague column in Wallerstein :
    V asta LV es patr I a s I t pro CVL atq V e D o M o = MDCLLVVVVII
    (Let the desert plague be far from home and home)
  • 1724
    At the St. Nicholas Church in Vianden :
    SANCTE TVOS CVSTOS NICOLAE TVERE CLIENTES CORPORIS AC ANIMÆ TVTOR ORARE POTENS = MCCCCCCLLVVVVIIII
    Translation Version 1 : (Holy Guardian Nicholas, Strong Protector of the Body and Soul, we ask you: Protect your children. ) Version 2: (Holy Guardian Nicholas, protect your entrusted, mighty protector, pray for body and soul)
Marienrode (1724)
  • 1724
    Am Kloster Marienrode :
    Pa X h VIC ae DI , D ab I t hos fa V ores I es V s et VI rgo p I a, ne f V rores no XII s V rgant, rap IDIV e V ent I s I nt v I o L ent I = DDDCLXXVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIIIIII
    (Peace to this house. Jesus and the gentle virgin give graciousness that no harmful rage may arise or storm winds destroy.)
  • 1725
    At "Haus zur Groe" in Marktbreit am Main:
    EN M EA SPES AE D ES C ERTAE A C PA X AR X Q V E BEATA = MDCCXXV
    (See my hope: a safe house and peace and a happy castle)
  • 1730
    double chronogram in the painting Karl der Große by Johann Chrysanth Bollenrath in the Aachen town hall :
    C aro LV s M agn V s h VIV s se DI s rega LI s et V rb I s granens I s = MDCLLVVVVVIIIII / et /
    L a VD from ILI s D e pann I s I b I stat V ent I s IVDICII patron V s = DDDCLLVVVVIIIIIIIIII
    (Charlemagne, patron of this royal seat and the city of Aachen as well as the laudable local foremen's court)
  • 1743
    At the Johann Nepomuk column on the Hahle bridge of the B27 in Gieboldehausen :
    LI NG V A TA C ENS DVXI T L A V ROS E X PONTE TR IVM PHANS = MDCLLXXVVVVIII
    (The silent tongue triumphantly drew fame from the bridge [ According to legend, Johannes Nepomuk is said to have refused to break the secret of confession and - in fact - was overthrown and drowned from the Vltava Bridge in Prague in 1393])
  • 1744
    In the tympanum of the baroque church (today's Aegidiussaals) in Bornheim-Hersel :
    S V b praes IDI o CL e M ent I s A V g V st I e X a L tat V r r V rs V s = MDCLLXVVVVVIIII
    (Under the protection by Clemens August [this church] was increased again [built and consecrated as a successor to a destroyed church])
  • 1745
    In the covings under the eaves at the house at Residenzplatz 4, at the corner of Goldgasse 18 in Salzburg :
    I a C ob I Ernest I Pr I n CI p I s IVV a VI ens I s IV ss V reno V ata D o MV s = MDCCVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIII
    ( Jakob Ernst Fürst (Archbishop) of Salzburg gave the order that this house is to be repaired )
    V t q VI ppe L apps V ra IVV aret V rerem XI t I a C ob L ap ID e M = MDCLLXVVVVVVIIIII
    (Da In fact, when [the house] had become dilapidated, it was a joy to build a stone (like Jacob)
    Pun, referring to the Bible, Genesis Chapter 31 - verse 45
  • 1745
    On the facade of the Groß Schwansee manor :
    Fa V ente I eho V a ere XI , fa V eat D o MI n V s I eho V a CV stos ere C t I = MDCCXVVVVVVIIIII
    (With Jehovah's help I built it, may the Lord Jehovah help him as the protector of what is established)
  • 1748
    Am Epitaph Frech in Marktbreit am Main:
    FRE C H I A DVM E XVVI AE HA C POST FATA Q VI ETE FR VV NT V R = MDCCXVVVVVVVIII
    (According to their fates, the mortal shells of the Frech family enjoy this calm)
  • 1749
    Inscription of a cross in Zeutern :
    EN SA LV ATOR A D EST PRAEBENS T I B I PE C T V S APERT VM I NTRA I B I S V SP I RANS SA LVV S ET IV ST V S I B I S (see there, the Redeemer! He offers you his heart opened inwardly. If you sigh there, you will go on more healed and just.)00
  • 1750
    Heisterbach Monastery :
    PA X CVI Q V E I NTRANT I R V RS VM PA X H I N C RE D E V NT I = MDCCXXVVVVVIIIII
    (anno) RO M AE SAN C TO D E SO L O ATTO LL EBAR = MDCLLL
  • 1751
    Near the Aegidius Church in Bornheim-Hersel :
    C hr I sto D abat CL e M ens = MDCCLI
    ( Clemens consecrated [this stone cross] to Christ)
    A chronogram on the “Holy Staircase” on the Bonn refers to the same prince and the same year 1751 Kreuzberg:
    S C a L a I es V pro nob I s pass I a CL e M ente A V g V sto E L e C tore et Ant I st I te C o L on I ens I p I e a V g V ste pret I ose e X str VC ta et f I n I ta = MCCCCCLLLLXVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIII
    (The stairs of Jesus, who suffered for us, built and completed by Clemens August , the elector and archbishop of Cologne, pious, sublime and precious)
Marian column in Buchen (Odenwald), 1754
  • 1754
    Votive slogan on the base of the Marian column in Buchen (Odenwald):
    Q VI T I B I D E V OT I STAT V A M POS V ERE CLI ENTES I STOS A VXILI O PROTEGE VI RGO T V O = VIIIDVIVMVCLIIVXILIVIV
    (virgin, protect those Wards with your help, who devotedly set up the statue)
  • 1755
    At the portal of the cathedral monastery in Bautzen :
    M O D Ô HÔ C C OE L Ô FA V ENTE STO. = MDCCLV
    (Out of heaven's favor, I'm here now)
  • 1756
    At the Steiner Stadttor in Krems :
    C onsp ICI te f ID e LI tat I s prae MI a = MDCCLIIIIII
    (Look at the reward for your loyalty)
  • 1758
    At the organ loft of the Maria Himmelfahrt town church in Berching :
    D eo a C g L or I osae M atr I e IV s sa C ra = MDCCLVIII
    (consecrated to God and the glorious mother)
  • 1759
    On the "Walkenried Peace Table" in Walkenried , with W for VV:
    I an V a n V n C I an I CL a V sa est / anno ho CC e sa LV t I s / pa X et W a LC kre D ae sa LV atorq V e D e V s = DDCCCCCLLLLXVVVVVVVVVIIII
    (The Janus Gate is now closed / In this year of salvation / Peace also in Walkenried and God is the Savior)
  • 1763
    Chronodistichon for the Peace of Hubertusburg :
    Aspera be LL a s IL ent: re DII t bona grat I a pa CI s; os I parta foret se M per I n orbe q VI es = MDCLLLVIIIIIIII
  • 1764
    Probably the shortest historical chronogram on a memorial in Madéfalva (today Siculeni), Széklerland :
    S ICVLICIDIVM = MDCCLVVIIII
    Except for the first letter, all other letters form the year of the event. As siculicidium will massacre by Austrian troops at Székelys from 7 January 1764 referred to in Madéfalva that was committed after because of the creation of a border guard unrest in Szeklerland broke out.
  • 1767
    On a stone cross in Bornheim-Uedorf:
    C r VCI f IX o D ata a prae L ato Her M ano = MDCCLXVII
    (dedicated to the suffering of Christ by the prelate Hermann)
  • 1771
    On the monument "Der Fußfall" in Hochkirchen :
    e X L arg I s I a C ob I ha M a C her pos I ta f VI t D on I s = MDCCLXVIIIIII
    (built from a generous donation from Jakobus Hamacher)
  • 1774
    Am Pöstlingberg in Linz :
    ARA BEATAE LV GENT I S NE C E M F ILII Q V OT IDI E PR IVIL EG I ATA = MDCLLLVVVIIIIIIIII
    (daily privileged altar of the blessed [virgin], who mourns the murder of her son)
  • 1774
    Two-line inscription at the entrance to the apartment of the provostess of the Cistercian convent St. Gertrud in Hedersleben :
    GERTR VDI S SE D ES, S V PER I S V ENERAB ILI S Æ D ES / STET SE CV RA SO L O, STET BENE GRATA PO L O = DDDCLLLVVVVIIII
    The letters BI in VENERABILIS were added with unsuitable letters during a renovation.
    (The seat of Gertrude, the church of those who are venerable in heaven, stands safely on earth and is probably to the joy of heaven)
  • 1778
    In Abtei (South Tyrol) :
    E XVL TAB V NT I N C ONSPE C T V D O MI N I (Psalmus 97) = MDCCLXVVVIII
  • 1779
    In the parish church of Grins the year of completion of the church is given:
    DIVV s N IC o L a U s Te M p LI T V re L ar I s Patron V s.
Eschweiler (1785)
  • 1785
    In Eschweiler , Erbericher Kreuz from the excavated district of Erberich :
    C r VC e M e X a L tabat Bar D enhe V er V t V eneret V r = MDCCLXVVVVV
Eschweiler (1786)
  • 1786
    In Eschweiler , memorial stone from the excavated district of Laurenzberg :
    C r VX C hr I st I sa LV t I s re D e M pt I on I s V estræ p I gn V s = MDCCLXVVVVIIIIII
  • 1790
    Above the portal of the Schumannhaus in Bonn-Endenich :
    C ons ILI ar IV s Ka V f M ann Has ae D es e X str VI CV ra VI t = MDCCLXVVVVVIIIII
    (The [electoral] councilor merchant had this house built)
  • 1792
    Above the portal of the Kaderhof in Wesseling-Urfeld :
    Has ae D es aere propr I o st [r] VXI t I oannes I oseph V s C or M an benef ICI at V s e X B LI ntrop = MDCCLXXVVVIIIIIII
    (Johann Joseph Corman , Lehnsmann from Blintrop, built this house from his own fortune)
  • 1793
    At the grammar school in Schäßburg :
    Patr I ae f ILII s VI rt V t I pa LL a DI q V e sese V o V ent I b V s sa C r VM = MDCLLLVVVVVVVIIIIIIII
    (The sons of the fatherland, who embrace virtue and dedicated to science as a sanctuary)
  • 1798
    house inscription "Vordere Straße 41", Lügde ; Digits not highlighted; with an error: instead of ALTA there is AITA today.
    E X B V STO A C PHOEN IX D O MV S HA C E X S V RG I T I N A L TA
    (Here from the site of the fire, the house rises like a king from the ashes.)

19th century

  • 1823
    Above the tower entrance of the Church of St. Andreas and Matthias in Lich-Steinstrasse :
    D EO SA C ER L O CV S V EN I TE IV B IL E MV S = MDCCLLVVVVIII
    (A place consecrated to God, come, let us praise)
  • 1830
    Am Ludwigsbrunnen near Mainberg :
    LVD o VIC o pr IM o L aetantes et grat I CIV es s VI nfort V nses = MDCCLLVVVVVIIIII
    ( Ludwig the First the delighted and grateful citizens of Schweinfurt)
  • 1845
    Above the portal of the Benedictine priory in Limbuš near Maribor :
    Fer DI nan D o IV bente e X ar C e f V n DI t V s C o LL apsa re VIXI = DDDCCLLXXVVVVIIIII
  • 1851
    On the monument “Der Fußfall” in Hochkirchen :
    hae C C r VX D e V ot I one a C propr II s s VM t I b V s h VIV s pag I ren V ata = MDCCCXVVVVVVVIIIIII
    (This cross was made out of piety and at expense of the village renovated)
  • 1864
    At the Hosanna bell of the Ottobeuren monastery church :
    F V nestae sae CVL ar I sat I on I s no X a M Ca V sa IV b IL ar I e CCL es I ae s V ae paro C h I an I Ottob V rae L aetanter LV ere V o LV nt = MCCCCCLLLLLLXVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIII
    (The parishioners of Ottobeuren want to happily make up for the damage caused by the evil secularization on the occasion of the anniversary of their church)
Wengen in South Tyrol (1876)
  • 1876
    In Wengen (South Tyrol) :
    G L OR I A PERPET V A L A V S D EO E X HO C TE M P L O SAN C TO S V O = MDCCLLLXVVVI
    (Eternal fame and praise from this his holy temple)
  • 1884
    In the monastery church in Einsiedeln :
    I n a VL a g L or I osae VI rg I n I s M ar I a honor I f IC et V r D e V s I n sae CVL a = MDCCLLLVVVVVIIIIIIIII
    (In the church of the glorious Virgin Mary God should be worshiped forever)
  • 1890
    Above the entrance of the Notre Dame church in Spalbeek ( Limburg ):
    Se CV n D a DI e IV n II C onse C ra VI t D o V tre L o VX = DDDCCCLXVVVVVIIIII
  • 1895
    At the church in Rémeling :
    Q VI C hr I sto ser VI s, V en I q V aeso, e X C or D e oreq V e Sebast I an VM C o L e = MDCCCLXVVVVVIIIII
    (He who serve Christ, come, adore Sebastian with your heart and mouth)
  • 1896
    At a street cross in Bliesheim :
    S I t I es V C hr I st I C r VX I n C ae LVM nob I s DVX = MDCCCLXXVVVVIIIIII
    (Be the cross of Jesus Christ our guide to heaven)

20th century

  • 1911 Glass window inscription
    in the domed hall of the St. Gallus Stift (now Vorarlberger Landesbibliothek ) in Bregenz :
    Bene DIC ta g L or I a C hr I st I I n te M p L o san C to e IV s = MDCCCLLVIIIIII
    (Praised be the Glory of Christ in this holy temple)
  • 1959
    At the main entrance of the Dortmund City High School :
    s C ho L a tre M on I ens I s be LL o DI r V ta e CI nere refe C ta = MDCCCLLLVIIII
    (Dortmund school destroyed in the war and resurrected from ashes.)
  • 1967
    In the Josefskapellchen in Mützenich to rebuild the chapel:
    SAN C TE I OSEPH L ABOR V M NOSTROR VM PROTE C TOR F ID E LI S L ABORA NOBIS CV M = MDCCCCLLLVVII
    An unclean chronogram because two M and one I are not enlarged and therefore not included.

21st century

  • 2000
    On the occasion of the restoration of the organ front of the monastery church Maria Laach :
    A V e M ar I a / VI rgo D e I gen I tr IX / a LL e LVI a / p L eb I s t V ae C ant I b V s / a V res I n CLI na = MDCCLLLLLXVVVVVVIIIIIIIIII
    (Greetings Mary, Mother of God and Virgin, Alleluia, bow your ears to the songs of the people)
Chronogram at the University of Innsbruck in honor of the new Rector Karlheinz Töchterle (2007)
  • 2007
    At the University of Innsbruck in honor of the newly elected Rector Karlheinz Töchterle :
    p L a V s V s e X h I bet V r V n IV ers I tat I s Oen I pontanae M agn I f IC o re C tor I neoe L e C to Kar L he I nz Tö C hter L e VVL go f ILI o L ae a C o LL eg I s = MCCCCCLLLLLLLLLXVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIIIII (1000 + 5⋅100 + 9⋅50 + 10 + 7⋅5 + 12⋅1 = 2007)

literature

  • Lars Adler : Chronogram discovered on the seal of the imperial knighthood. The third Rhenish district director's seal as a special sphragistic case. In: Archivnachrichten aus Hessen 18/1 (2018), pp. 41–44 online .
  • Johannes B. Bauer: Small cultural history of the chronogram. Styria, Graz 1994.
  • Gerhard Dünnhaupt : Chronograms and Cryptonyms: Secret Keys to Dating and Authorship of the Works of the Polyhistor Johannes Praetorius . In: Philobiblon. Vol. 21, 1977, ISSN  0031-7969 , pp. 130-135.
  • Bernard Grothues: Anna sust susannA. Een verzameling palindromes, chronograms, anagrams, calembours en kabbala's. Corrie Zelen, Maasbree 1979, ISBN 90-6280-612-0 .
  • Bernard Grothues: reMbranDt Is VersChenen. A nieuwe verzameling chronograms, incarnacioenen en jaarschriften. Kok, Kampen 1992, ISBN 90-242-6622-X .
  • Gerhard Grümmer : Game forms of poetry. Werner Dausien, Hanau 1985, ISBN 3-7684-4521-6 , pp. 18-21.
  • James Hilton: Chronograms. 5000 and more in number, excerpted out of various authors and collected at many places. Elliot Stock, London 1882, online at the Internet Archive .
  • James Hilton: Chronograms, continued and concluded. More than 5000 in number. A supplement volume to "Chronograms", published in the year 1882. Elliot Stock, London 1885, online in the Internet Archive .
  • James Hilton: Chronograms collected. More than 4000 in number since the publication of the two preceding Volumes in 1882 and 1885. Elliot Stock, London 1895, online im Internet Archive .
  • Hermann Krüssel (Ed.): Chronograms - Forgotten Art in Aachen. Selected chronograms from the past and present of Aachen with translations and explanations. Einhard, Aachen 2005, ISBN 3-936342-42-3 .
  • André Lepine: 400 Chronogrammes Curieux. Biche Faonée, Cerfontaine 1987.
  • Eduard Lichter: Chronograms from the Trier administrative district and the Saarland 1419–1994. In: New Trierisches Jahrbuch. Vol. 34, 1994, ISSN  0077-7765 , pp. 113-142.
  • Veronika Marschall: The chronogram. A study of the forms and functions of an art form, illustrated using the example of occasional poems from the 16th to 18th centuries from the holdings of the Bamberg State Library (=  Helicon. Vol. 22). Lang, Frankfurt am Main a. a. 1997, ISBN 3-631-31280-6 (also: Bamberg, Universität, Dissertation, 1996).
  • Hans-Ludwig Oertel: Chronograms in Latin inscriptions in Marktbreit, Obernbreit and Segnitz and their interpretation (= Edition Villa Segeniz. ). Zenos Verlag, Segnitz near Würzburg 2008, ISBN 3-931018-18-0 .
  • Waldemar Schupp: The chronogram as a cultural-historical phenomenon. Documentary overview. In: Herold Yearbook. NF Vol. 8, 2003, ISSN  1432-2773 , pp. 127-188.
  • Waldemar Schupp: Numismatic Chronograms. Chronogrammata in nummis scripta. In: Pro Lingua Latina. Vol. 10, 2009, ZDB -ID 2325740-4 , pp. XCIII-CVIII; Vol. 11, 2010, pp. CXCII-CCX; Vol. 12, 2011, pp. CXVII-CXXXVI.
  • Georg Valentin: About the evaluation of the Y in chronograms. In: Contributions to book studies and philology. Dedicated to August Wilmanns on March 25, 1903. Harrassowitz, Leipzig 1903, pp. 193–198 online in the Internet Archive .

Web links

Commons : Chronograms  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. Lars Adler : Chronogram discovered on the seal of the imperial knighthood. The third Rhenish district director's seal as a special sphragistic case. In: Archivnachrichten aus Hessen 18/1 (2018), pp. 41–44. on-line
  2. coingallery: Chronogram, Ref .: Lev Goldenberg 11/2006,
  3. a b Ben Schott: Schott's hodgepodge. Bloomsbury, Berlin 2004, p. 103.
  4. Hanns Peter Fink: Two chronograms in Bad Salzuflen in: "Heimatland Lippe" - magazine of the Lippischen Heimatbund and the Landesverband Lippe, No. 3/1971, Detmold, p. 114ff; accessed on April 30, 2020.
  5. bibel-verse.de
  6. www.sn.at/Salzburgwiki
  7. Chronograms in Ubstadt-Weiher , accessed on May 12, 2020.
  8. ^ Description of the Walkenried Peace Table in the museum portal museum-digital
  9. filiolae = little daughter, young nuns, "little daughter".