Georgian Bureaucracy: The Outdated Rule on Official Ink Colors

During the early 20th century in Georgia, there was a peculiar administrative custom that allegedly required all official documents to be signed exclusively with red ink. This rule, believed to have originated in the Soviet era or possibly earlier, was intended to clearly distinguish authentic signatures from copies or forgeries in official paperwork. While the regulation's exact origins remain somewhat unclear, local lore suggests that the vivid red color symbolized authority and urgency. Over time, this unusual practice faded, replaced by more standardized ink colors like blue or black, common in most countries today. Despite its obsolescence, the idea of mandating a specific ink color for official signatures remains an interesting glimpse into Georgia’s bureaucratic history. It underscores how rules once viewed as standard can feel surprising or odd from a modern perspective.