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AmbigramAn ambigram, also known as an inversion, is a graphical figure that spells out a word not only in its form as presented, but also when viewed as a mirror-image, or, in other cases, when rotated through a right angle. The word typically is not a palindrome, although it may be. Also, the word spelled out from the alternate direction may be an altogether different word, although for mirror-images, the canonical form spells out the same word.
 A mirror-image ambigram for the word "WIKI"
Douglas R. Hofstadter describes an ambigram as a "calligraphic design that manages to squeeze two different readings into the selfsame set of curves". The term was first published by Hofstadter, who attributes it to a friend.
They are exercises in graphic design, playing with optical illusions, symmetry and visual perception. Ambigram lovers value especially those with a relation between form and content.
Ambigrams are sometimes used as logos. Some notable ones include logos for:
Ambigrams feature prominently in Dan Brown's novel, Angels and Demons. The first UK release of the novel featured an ambigram of the title on the cover.
References
- Kim, Scott (1981). Inversions. Byte Books.
- Hofstadter, Douglas R. (August 1982). Metafont, Metamathematics, and Metaphysics: Comments on Donald Knuth's Article "The Concept of a Meta-Font". Scientific American. (Republished in book Metamagical Themas.)
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Ambigrams by Stefan Gustavson
Introduction to ambigrams, information about how the writer got involved in them, recommended book, and some of the author's own ambigrams.
http://www.itn.liu.se/~stegu/ambigrams/
Scott Kim's page
Contains examples of Scott Kim's ambigrams.
http://www.scottkim.com/
John Langdon
Presentation of his artistic-like ambigrams.
http://www.inkblot.net/johnlangdon/
Japanese Ambigrams
Some ambigrams in Japanese characters.
http://60min.x24hr.com/amb/
Ambigram.Com
Contains Ambigram-Matic for creating your own personal ambigrams online, plus reversible matchbox art and links.
http://ambigram.com
Spanish Ambigrams
Although in Spanish, the viewer can appreciate the ambigrams by clicking on the figures.
http://ambigramas.com
Upsidedown Truths
Ambigrams involving Christian concepts.
http://www.crazytieguy.com/upsidedown.htm
Gef's Ambigram Gallery
French site in English, involving ambigrams of French people and phrases.
http://www.iap.fr/users/esposito/ambigallery.html
Ambigrams by Robert M.
Ambigrams of famous celebrities and expressions.
http://geocities.com/rcm_ca/ambigramz.html
Punya's Visual Wordplay Gallery
Includes ambigrams of Hindu words and names plus others.
http://punya.educ.msu.edu/PunyaWeb/ambigrams/
Ambigrams by Brett J. Gilbert
Small gallery of typographic designs based of people's names. Includes a variety of different ambigram types and some explanatory text describing the challenges and successes of each design.
http://www.paragraphic.co.uk/portfolio/ambigrams/
Ambigrams
Contains a few ambigrams including 2 four-word ones and a circular one.
http://thinkzone.wlonk.com/Ambigram/Ambigram.htm
Trypd's Ambigrams
Ambigrams and links plus personal biography.
http://www.geocities.com/trypdwyre/ambigrams.html
Krambigrams
Displays colorful ambigrams in English and Spanish by Jack and John Kramer. Offers several links.
http://Krambigram.com
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