The alpha symbol (a) arises from the first letter of the Greek alphabet, which became the first letter of the English alphabet as well. Alpha symbolizes being first and the most dominant (“alpha male”). Alpha is also used with omega to mean the “first and last,” or the complete package. As well as God. The alpha symbol also is used in scientific equations as well as a means to measure investments. Alpha tattoos, therefore, are very flexible.
All Greek To Me
The alpha symbol looks like a lowercase “a” because that is what it is.
The first letter of the Greek alphabet, which in many ways looks much like our own, is “alpha” (α). The Greek letter Alpha has both a lower and upper case, but to avoid confusion with the letter “A,” the lower case is the one usually applied as an alpha symbol.
Greek fraternities are one exception to this rule. Alpha Phi Alpha, for instance, is the oldest (first) African American college fraternity. Its symbol is ΑΦΑ.
The Greek letter Alpha is known to have been derived from the Phoenician and Hebrew letters, which originally meant “ox.” The original pictograph for ox head () developed into the letter alpha. Oxen were an important animal in ancient cultures, the symbol standing out.
Alpha = First
“Alpha” often is used as the first in a series. For instance, “alpha, bravo, charlie.” This is often used in military contexts.
Alpha symbolizes the beginning of things. The first sound a baby makes might be some form of “a” sound. It is a primitive form of language.
Alpha (but not Always Male)
Alpha is the first letter. “Alpha” also means being the best.
An “alpha male” animal in a tribe is the most dominant. The expression also is applied to human relationships. Alpha is the leader, not necessarily a man. They are the most important.
The alpha male and female (sometimes represented with an alpha symbol) of a group is a common concern during the study of human and animal relationships of all kinds.
Alpha and Omega
Alpha is sometimes joined with omega (Ω), which is the last letter in the Greek alphabet. The alpha and omega are the bookends, the first and the last. Together, they symbolize the complete package. This can be shown with the alpha and omega symbols.
“Alpha and Omega” also is a way to describe God. For instance, Isaiah 44:6 has God describe himself this way: “I am the first and the last.” God is all over. God controls all.
Hinduism’s understanding of Brahman, the ultimate reality that is all over, also can be expressed this way. Christians also often symbolize God with an alpha and omega symbol put together.
I Was Promised There Would Be No Math!
Greek letters are regularly used in math and science. A familiar one is pi (π) for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter.
The alpha symbol is used as a variable. In algebra, a variable is a symbol (usually a letter) standing in for an unknown numerical value in an equation. The alpha symbol is used here in various scientific equations. It has many uses in math and science.
For instance, in chemistry and physics, the Alpha symbol denotes various concepts, including alpha particles, alpha radiation, and alpha carbon. It also symbolizes angular acceleration.
Please do not ask me what exactly “angular acceleration” means.
Investment Talk
Alpha is a term used in investing to describe an investment strategy's ability to beat the market or its "edge." Alpha shows how well (or badly) an investment such as a stock has performed in comparison to a benchmark index such as the Standard and Poor’s 500.
The alpha figure is represented as a single number, like 3 or -5. The number indicates the percentage above or below a benchmark index the investment achieved. So, if an investment is one percent better than the S&P 500 index, the alpha figure is 1.
Alpha is not the same thing as beta, named after the second letter in the Greek alphabet. Beta measures volatility, the liability of an investment to rapidly change. This makes investment risky, but it also means there is a possibility of sudden success that can be a windfall.
How Do You Insert An Alpha Symbol?
Those who want to drop a fancy-looking alpha symbol into a document can do so in a variety of ways. Your word processing option should allow you to insert special characters, including the alpha symbol. You can also: Press Alt + 224 to enter lowercase alpha.
Final Thoughts
The alpha symbol has a range of applications. You can use it scientifically as well as religiously. The alpha symbol might be a celebration of your fraternity.
Or, it might be a way to signify that you are the head of the pack. And, it can be used to symbolize the beginning of things.
No wonder it is so popular as a tattoo. Just what one means, however, is a personal choice. After all, maybe the person is an investment banker skillful with their alpha numbers.
