Vithkuqi Small Letter U

In the Vithkuqi alphabet, 𐖷 writes the Albanian vowel u. It is one letter, so its value comes from the Albanian word around it. On its own, it names only that letter; it does not spell a whole word.

Veqilharxhi developed the alphabet in the 1820s to teach Albanian and provide a shared writing system across Muslim, Orthodox Christian, and Catholic communities. The first printed spelling book appeared in 1844, with an expanded edition in 1845.

How did Vithkuqi lose everyday use?

It never became everyday spelling, but returned in heritage design. During the 19th century, Vithkuqi did not become everyday Albanian orthography: new type was expensive, its creator died soon after the expanded spelling book, and Latin-script spelling prevailed. Its practical role shifted from proposed everyday writing to heritage typography.

Vithkuqi and Armenian have a visual resemblance in some cursive letterforms; that resemblance alone does not establish descent. The history also discusses Vithkuqi alongside Todhri, a separate Albanian alphabet project.

The spelling-book format may have been influenced by Riben Bukvar, an elementary reader by Bulgarian educator Petar Beron.

Someone sent me 𐖷 — what is it?

Usually, it is a letter sample or part of Vithkuqi text. If it arrives alone, take it as the Albanian vowel u, not a complete word; ask what word or script the sender is showing.

In a historical transcription, it represents the vowel u. In a tattoo, logo, or type specimen, the choice points first to Albanian heritage or typography; it does not turn the single letter into a word.