Pi (Π/π) – New Testament Greek words that start with pi
Quick reference
- Greek Name:
- πῖ
- English Name:
- pi
- Pronunciation:
- pē’
- Upper-case Letter:
- Π
- Lower-case Letter:
- π
- Speech Sound:
- consonant
- Numerical Value:
- 80
Pronunciation guide
In Koine Greek, the letter Pi is pronounced as a voiceless bilabial plosive, produced by pressing the lips together and releasing a burst of air. Its sound is similar to the “p” in “pan.”
Numerical significance
In the Greek numeral system (isopsephy), Pi represents the number eighty (80). While eighty as a number doesn’t hold specific symbolic significance in Greek culture, it is notable for being a higher, even round number, often associated with maturity or a greater extent in terms of quantity or age.
Cultural and symbolic meaning
The Greek letter Pi is derived from the Phoenician letter Pe, which originally represented a mouth (symbolizing speech, expression, or a mouth's opening). As the symbol evolved into the Greek Pi, it retained the connection to expression but transitioned from a concrete image to a more abstract representation. The shape of Pi, with its two parallel lines connected by a horizontal line, also brings to mind notions of structure and stability, echoing the original concept of an opening or an entrance, yet abstracted into a form that conveys solidity and foundation in writing.