![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/GovPalaceSoyombo.jpg/640px-GovPalaceSoyombo.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Soyombo symbol
National symbol of Mongolia / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Soyombo symbol[lower-alpha 1] is a special character in the Soyombo alphabet invented by Zanabazar in 1686. The name "Soyombo" is derived from Sanskrit svayambhu "self-created". It serves as a national symbol of Mongolia, to be found on the Flag of Mongolia, the Emblem of Mongolia, and on many other official documents.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/GovPalaceSoyombo.jpg/640px-GovPalaceSoyombo.jpg)
In the Soyombo alphabet, the two variations of the Soyombo symbol are used to mark the start and end of a text. It is thought to be possible that the symbol itself may predate the script.[citation needed]