Rota (papal signature)

The rota is one of the symbols used by the Pope to authenticate documents such as papal bulls. It is a cross inscribed in two concentric circles. Pope Leo IX was the first pope to use it.

Rota of Pope Alexander III, AD 1175

The four inner quadrants contain: "Petrus", "Paulus", the Pope's name, and the Pope's ordinal number. The Pope's autograph or motto is sometimes inscribed between the concentric circles.

A rota was also used by monarchs for the authentication of documents and diplomas.[1]

See also

References

  1. For instance, it was used by William I of Sicily and William II of Sicily: Antonia Gransden, Legends, Traditions, and History in Medieval England, Continuum International Publishing Group, 1992, p. 184.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.