epigraf

An epigraf, or epigraf, is a short quotation, line, or excerpt placed at the beginning of a book, chapter, or section to illuminate its themes or mood. The term is used in several languages as the equivalent of the English word “epigraph.” The word derives from the Greek epigraphē, meaning inscription.

In literature, an epigraf serves to set tone, foreshadow content, or pay homage to another work or author. It may be original or borrowed and is usually attributed to its source. Epigrafs differ from dedications, which honor a person, and from mottos, which express the author’s guiding idea. They are commonly placed on title pages or at the start of chapters to frame meaning, and they are often drawn from poets, philosophers, or historical texts.

In a broader sense, epigraphy is the study of inscriptions on monuments, buildings, and artifacts, and the term epigraphic describes such inscriptions themselves. The concept of the epigraf in publishing intersects with intertextuality, where a quoted line or idea from another source invites readers to establish connections between works. While the practice varies by culture and period, epigrafs remain a recognized device for introducing context, mood, or thematic echoes at the outset of a text.