Glyphs

Glyphs are a calligraphic-like system of writing on Roshar. There are thousands of of glyphs across the world. 
==History==
According to mythology, glyphs are said to have come from the Dawnsingers, who were sent by the Almighty to help mankind. Many glyph-inscribed relics (such as weapons, buildings, and mystical items) from the Heraldic Epochs have been and are still being discovered throughout Roshar. Such discoveries build a solid case that supports the theory that the glyph system is the oldest form of communication known on Roshar.
The aforementioned relics include the inside of the Palanaeum (said to be built by the Dawnsingers themselves), Honorblades wielded by the Heralds (similar to their lesser iterations known as Shardblades, the sides of which sometimes bear glyphs), and Shardplate worn by the Knights Radiant (which glowed in hues that modern Plate can only imitate with paint). Stormlight flares from Surgebinders sometimes form glyphs.  
In the modern era, glyphs are commonly used among the Vorin kingdoms. Information concerning the nature and use of glyphs throughout the rest of the world is sparse; the Parshendi wield weapons decorated with unfamiliar glyphs yet to be deciphered. 
It has been theorized that the original symbolic associations of the glyphs may have been lost or altered over time, similar to what happened to the Dawnchant.
==Overview==
In Vorin kingdoms, where reading and writing are considered feminine arts, only the glyph system is considered proper for non-ardent men to learn. While most lighteyed children can read glyphs, many darkeyes (who form the majority of the population) are illiterate.Conjecture, from reactions of darkeyes who discovered that Kaladin can read and from Jasnah's interview with Shallan As such, glyphs are often styled into commonly understood concepts so that the illiterate will be able to recognize them (i.e., book-shaped glyphs decorating the fronts of bookstores).
Glyph writing consists of major, minor, and topical sets that are sometimes written with complex designations, making them difficult to understand in the event that the reader does not know what to look for. They can be inscribed calligraphically, prompting many to view such work as art. Like the Alethi script, glyphs are symmetrical and thus can be folded in half perfectly, a detail that has been used as an argument for the existence of the Almighty.
Glyphs are also used for religious inscriptions such as prayers, wards, and charms. The fundamental tenets associated with the Heralds are depicted with glyphs. It is thought that these are, in fact, the ten fundamental glyphs, found on Honorblades and many Shardblades.
Glyphs are commonly written in pairs (i.e., glyphpairs). Distinctive glyphpairs are often used to distinguish persons of rank. The glyphpairs of an Alethi Highprince's family are shown on the signet ring and are stiched onto banners and military uniforms.
Attempts to translate the glyph writing system into English are ongoing, but one speculative key is shown below.
==Appearance and Design==
According to Isaac, the shape of a glyph matters more than the phonemes that make up the glyph. Vowels don't affect glyphs any more than consonants do. Over time, glyphs morph toward what's easier to write as people who know nothing of the internal phonemes take shortcuts, etc..Shire Post Mint Mistborn Coin AMA, 10/26/17
==Ten Fundamental Glyphs==
These are the glyphs of the ten Heralds/Radiant classes (i.e., Windrunners, Skybreakers, Dustbringers, Edgedancers, Truthwatchers, Lightweavers, Elsecallers, Willshapers, Stonewards, and Bondsmiths. They can be found on one of the drawings done by Shallan as she describes Shardblades/Shardplate.
===Examples===
Glyph representation of the Ten Ideals/Essences associated with Heralds	Glyph representation of the Ten Ideals/Essences associated with Heralds
 	
Glyph representation of the Ten Surges associated with Radiants 	Glyph representation of the Ten Surges associated with Radiants
 	
Known Glyphs:
*Kejeh – Affirmative
*Khakh - Determination
*Merem - Honor
*Shash - Dangerous
*Thath – Justice
Other Glyphs:
*Sas - Likely translates as 'slave'. Other possible translations include 'without' or 'least/lowest', being that the glyphpair sas nahn is the mark of a slave.
*Nahn - Closely tied to nahn, the darkeyes' ranking system.
*Morom - Likely indicates a location. The slave glyphpair sas morom may indicate the Brightlord's district where the slave had originally been branded.
Family Sigils/Banners:
* Khokh and Linil is House Kholin's glyphpair, stylized and painted as a sword standing before a crown.
* Shesh and Lerel is Brightlord Sheler's stark black glyphpair on his banner.
* Merem and Khakh is Amaram's banner, shaped like a whitespine with tusks, comprised of dark green blazoned over a burgundy field.
* House Sadeas's family banner is a glyphpair in the shape of a tower and a hammer. The names of these glyphs remain unknown.
==Glyphionary==
When a number modifies a noun, the number comes first. Bridge Four is actually "Four Bridge."
==Notes==
*Regarding "Purity" in the last sentence of the first paragraph of Part 1, this refers to the fourth planet in the Threnodite System where Nazh is from. "By Purity's Eye" is a swear phrase in that system.
This mysterious glyph has appeared in every novel of The Stormlight Archive thus far. Although Isaac doesn't know what it means, Brandon asked him to put it in several places within those novels. He compares it to the Calligraphers' glyph.JordanCon 2018, Atlanta, GA, 4/20/18 That said, Peter has confirmed that it's not the symbol for the Royal High Cartographer Isasik Shulin.17th Shard forum topic, Isasik Shulin, 2/24/12
It appears the following places:
* The Way of Kings pg. 12-13, map of modern day Roshar near Kharbranth.
* The Way of Kings pg. 20, map of Alethkar in the Shattered Plains.
* The Way of Kings pg. 182, map of the Shattered Plains in the Dueling Arena.
* The Way of Kings pg. 274, map of Alethi warcamps within the glyphpairs.
* The Way of Kings pg. 454, map of Kharbranth above the Palanaeum.
* The Way of Kings endpaper map of Shadesmar within where Kharbranth would be.17th Shard forum topic, Isasik Shulin, 2/24/12
(To be continued.)
==Addendum==
Glyphs don't really relate to pronunciation. One learns them from seeing a glyph and knowing what the word is for that glyph.JordanCon 2014, Roswell, GA, 4/11/14Shire Post Mint Mistborn Coin AMA, 10/26/17 But the people who create the glyphs have a different process from those who read them. Further, it can be somewhat difficult to draw the glyphs; those who do generally go through several iterations of differing appearances before they come up with something that they each like.JordanCon 6, Roswell, GA, 4/16/14
While there's definitely a relationship between Thaylen letters and some glyph components, it's not the biggest part of what makes up the glyphs.Shire Post Mint Mistborn Coin AMA, 10/26/17
==Trivia==
Brandon used Arabic word art as a model for glyphs.Book signing, Skokie, IL, 3/22/14
==Q&A with Brandon==
Q. In The Stormlight Archive there have been multiple writing systems, [which] as a part of a community effort we've translated, for the most part, the Alethi [Vorin women's script] and the Thaylen. Can you talk about the technical details of the glyphs writing system?
A. The glyphs were designed by Isaac Stewart. He is my scribe, artist, and cartographer. He is also the art director at my company. We sat down and I wanted something symmetrical, so actually half of the glyph is repeated. When you read into it, it's symmetrical, and you can read them by the points where they slant, but you will have to go talk to him about exactly how to do it, because I say "I want a glyph for this" and he designs it. So they are readable, but - The thing that I used as a model is, I got Arabic art; if you guys haven't read Arabic word art it's gorgeous, it's really cool. And sometimes when it gets really distorted you have to know already what it says, and that's how some of the glyphs are.Book signing, Skokie, IL, 3/22/14JordanCon 2014, Roswell, GA, 4/11/14
==References==
Category:Language
Category:Culture
Category:Glyphs