Christopher Columbus signature

Genoese navigator who crossed the Atlantic for the Crown of Castile (c. 1451–1506)

Inspired by Christopher Columbus’s signature

A rendering in a modern handwriting font, made for this page. It is not the real signature; see where to view the original below. Where to see the original ↓Style: Italianno, slant 0°

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Italianno

Who Christopher Columbus was

Christopher Columbus (c. 1451–1506) was a navigator from Genoa who, sailing for the Crown of Castile, crossed the Atlantic in 1492 and reached the Caribbean. He made four voyages in all and was named Admiral of the Ocean Sea, though he was later removed as governor of the lands he claimed. His voyages opened the way to European colonization of the Americas, with devastating consequences for their Indigenous peoples.

The story of the signature

Columbus’s signature is one of the most puzzling in history. Above the name sit letters arranged in a triangle: S on the first line, S A S on the second and X M Y on the third, usually with points between them. Beneath them he wrote “Xpo FERENS”.

“Xpo” is a traditional abbreviation of Christo, using the Greek letters chi and rho for Christ, and “ferens” is Latin for bearing: together, Christ-bearer, a play on his own first name. On some documents he wrote “El Almirante”, the Admiral, in its place.

The letters of the triangle have never been explained to everyone’s satisfaction. One proposed reading is Servus Sum Altissimi Salvatoris, “I am the servant of the Most High Savior”, with X M Y often read as Christ, Mary and Joseph, but no reading is confirmed. In the 1498 deed founding his entailed estate, Columbus instructed his heirs to keep signing with this arrangement of letters.

What makes it distinctive

A pyramid of letters

Seven letters stacked in three lines above the name, set out like an inscription.

A name turned into a motto

“Xpo FERENS”, Christ-bearer, turns Christopher into a statement of mission.

Capitals

FERENS is written in capitals, which gives the signature a monumental, almost carved look.

An unsolved code

Centuries of interpretation have produced many readings and no consensus.

How to give your signature a similar feel

Columbus built his identity into his signature with a play on his name. You can add a small personal element too, such as initials set above your name, by drawing it on the Draw tab of the signature generator.
For a refined, calligraphic look, try Italianno on the Type tab, with Slant at 0° for an upright, formal feel.
Keep any symbols small and centered above the name, so the signature stays readable.
A signature has to be repeatable. If you design something elaborate, practice until you can produce it the same way each time.

Where to see the original

These links lead to archives, libraries, museums and Wikimedia Commons.

Questions about Christopher Columbus’s signature

What does Columbus’s signature mean?

“Xpo FERENS” means Christ-bearer, a play on Christopher. The letters S, S A S and X M Y above it have several proposed readings, usually as a religious formula, but their meaning is still debated.

Did Columbus always sign the same way?

Not exactly. Under the triangle of letters he wrote either “Xpo FERENS” or “El Almirante”, the Admiral.

Is the signature on this page a copy of his?

No. It sets only the words “Xpo FERENS” in a modern font, as an illustration. The links above show his actual signature with its letters.