Ambigrams/Amphigrams/Inversions

by Gianni A. Sarcone

Ambigram: ambigramma (It), ambigramme (Fr), ambigrama (Sp),
Ambigramm (Ger), амбиграмма (Ru), אמביגראמה (He).

An “Amphigram” is a particular graphical word (or group of words) that may be defined as an “amphibian” word occupying at the same time two different reading planes of a page. The distinctive feature of an Amphigram is that it remains unchanged even when inverted, or reveals the coexistence of a second word when either the page is reoriented (by rotations or reflections) or when you simply change your vantage point.   Amphigrams may, in many respects, be compared to the art genre Cubism as you can see several sides of an object in just 2 dimensions...   First names are a good starting point when beginning to make Amphigrams, as once the work is completed, you can present it to whosever name it is. Here are 2 bibles from which you can draw inspiration: “Inversions” by Scott Kim (Key Curriculum, 2007) and “Wordplay” by John Langdon (Broadway; reprint edition, 2005).   Though I use the word “Amphigram” to describe this kind of wordplay, there is another word: “Ambigram” which is largely accepted, and resides in the company of at least 2 other words coined to describe this type of wordplay: “Inversions” and “Designatures”. However, I prefer the use of the word Amphigram as the word Ambigram is a linguistically incorrect term with roots from two distinct languages (Latin ambi & Greek gram). In fact, we don’t say unigram (Latin + Greek word), but monogram (2 Greek words). Diagram, photogram, parallelogram also follow this rule.   Amphigrams were certainly known in the past... But one of the earliest recorded example is the ‘Chump matchbox’ design published in the magazine Strand within the year 1908. Another intriguing example of historical amphigram is the monogrammed signature of Eva Braun, who was - for those who don't know it - Hitler's wife... Eva Braun's initials   Nowadays, many companies feature amphigrams or include amphigram designs in their corporate logos to make their brand more intriguing or attractive, as shown below....

AMPHIGRAMS GALLERY
In this gallery you will find a sampling of original ambigrams/amphigrams/inversions/designatures.
New items will be added monthly!
Archimedes, Camilla, Apache, Sublime, Yin Yang, Banana, Open, Aperto, Back, True, Ozone, Face/vase, More...

Reversible Archimedes' Logo
In a 180°-rotation amphigrams, the word spelled out from the alternative direction is often the same, as shown below (Archimedes), but may be a completely different word (see closed/open further below).

(click to enlarge)

Topsy-turvy words...
180°-rotation amphigrams: Camilla, apache, sublime, yin yang
read the same upside down.

Banana flips to Ananas
(Ananas means "pineapple" in Italian, French and Spanish)
A natural transmutation!

Open, closed, ajar...
Useful signs: 'open/closed' (+ translation in French!)

Bilateral or mirror amphigram
Imagine you are driving and see the reflection of this car in your mirror, can you decipher what is written on the car's hood? You may read either 'Front' (if you look at the reflection in your mirror) or 'Back' (if you look directly at the car).

Rotating Truth
True? False? Solve the puzzle!

Ozone
Reversible gas?

Vase of face?
An oscillating amphigram...

More puzzling Ambigrams by G. Sarcone on Flickr and on Behance
An exhaustive article on Ambigram in Archimedes Journal #2

Would you like an amphigram of your name, favorite word, corporate logo, made? Commission one! Our standard price for designing an ambigram is US$150.00 for privates, and US$500.00 for companies. Feel, free to email me with questions.

Related links	Wordplay, the book
Gianni Sarcone's animated ambigrams Scott Kim Punya Mishra Ambigrams at Wikipedia Ambigrams at ODP