Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amenhotep III and Sekhmet

I have spoken a lot about Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“, because she is my Nonno’s favorite goddess π“ŠΉπ“/religious figure in the Egyptian pantheon! Today we are going to look more into the Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ that can be found in museums all around the world 𓇾𓇾! These particular Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ I am with are at the British Museum, but there are a lot at The MET, Louvre, and Vatican Museums too!Β 

Amenhotep III and Sekhmet
Me with statues of Sekhmet, which were commissioned during the reign of pharaoh Amenhotep III at the British Museum.

During his reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† had over 730 π“²π“²π“²π“²π“²π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ made! That is almost two statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ for every π“ŽŸ day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳 of the year! Most of the Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ you see that look like the ones in my picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above are from this time period!

So why Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“? This is where stuff gets really interesting – Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ was often referred to as the β€œEye of Ra,” because she was created from the sun 𓇳𓏺 god π“ŠΉ Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 eye 𓁹𓏏𓏀 when he looked upon the Earth 𓇾𓇾. The obsession with solar deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ didn’t just happen when Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– came to the throne – Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was most likely influenced by his father 𓇋𓏏𓀀, Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†! The worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 of the god π“ŠΉ Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 (and gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ like Sobek-Ra) hit its peak during the reign of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†. 

All of the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ are made of black π“†Žπ“…“ granodiorite π“ π“ˆ–π“π“π“ŠŒ, which is not just a coincidence! In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, the color black π“†Žπ“…“ was associated with rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. These statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were most likely connected to the jubilees π“Ž›π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“Ž±π“‡³π“ͺ (The Heb Sed festival), and contain various epithets on them, such as: 

“The son of Ra Amenhotep, ruler of Thebes beloved of Sekhmet, the great, mistress of the sky, for eternity.”

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Egyptian Artifacts

Offering Table and Statue

This Middle Kingdom era piece is so cool – well actually, it’s two 𓏻 separate pieces! This is a statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Sehetepib, which is sitting on top of a small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃!Β 

Statue and Offering Table of Sehetepib
Statue and Offering Table of Sehetepib

The statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is made of graywacke π“·π“‚‹π“ƒ€π“π“ˆ– while the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 is made of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰. I love the contrast of colors between the dark graywacke π“·π“‚‹π“ƒ€π“π“ˆ– and the light limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ – it really makes both the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 and the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 stand out against each other!

This piece was found in the shaft of a tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ in Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–, but it was most likely originally placed in an above ground chapel. What was the point of putting the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 in a chapel outside of the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰? Essentially, the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 allows for the ka π“‚“ of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to continue to receive offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 so the ka π“‚“ can continue to be sustained even after death 𓅓𓏏𓏱! 

If you look at the front of the offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃, there are offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 carved into the limestone! These are symbolic offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 that would continue to sustain the soul π“‚“ of Sehetepib even when real offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 stopped being placed in his tomb’s π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ chapel! One of the offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 is definitely bread 𓏐, but I don’t know what the rest are! The circles could be anything!!

Sehetepib’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– and titles are written down the front of the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 (on his skirt), but I can’t make out the individual hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! The only phrase I can see clearly is β€œFor the Soul of π“ˆ–π“‚“π“ˆ–β€œ and then Sehetepib’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– should follow that!Β I wish I could see more of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, but sometimes with ancient objects such as this one, it’s not always easy!

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Video – Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut

Here’s a video on the Maned Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ of Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓!

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

(𓇳𓁦𓂓) – Maatkare

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“ŒΊπ“π“‡Œ – Beloved

𓋹𓏏𓏙- Life Given

𓆖 – Eternity (Forever)

β€œMaatkare, Beloved of Amun, Given Life for Eternity.”

I know this is strange, but β€œGiven Life” is written backwards! It should be β€œπ“™π“‹Ήβ€ not β€œπ“‹Ήπ“™β€ as it’s written (this inscription is read from right to left). 

There’s also an added 𓏏, which makes it the feminine form! There’s a second sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ just like this one in the Cairo Museum, and on that sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€, there is no added 𓏏! Why would one sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ use the feminine form and one use the masculine?! We will probably never know! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Sistrum with the Face of Hathor

Hathor 𓉑 is one of the most prominent goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ of the Egyptian pantheon. Along with Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯, she is regarded as the β€œGod’s mother π“…π“π“ŠΉβ€ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, but is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of love π“ˆ˜π“, joy 𓄫𓄣𓏏, music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ, and dance π“‚‹π“…±π“‚»- basically the fun things in life!Β 

Sistrum
Two sistrums with Hathor’s face on them at the Louvre

In some variations of Egyptian mythology, Hathor 𓉑 is also the wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐 of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, and the daughter 𓅭𓏏 of Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛. Hathor 𓉑 is usually associated with cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒π“ͺ and can take the form of a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 in many forms of Egyptian art. 

The piece above is a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£, which is a musical instrument from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. A sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ was a musical instrument that is similar to a modern rattle or tambourine. Since Hathor 𓉑 was the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ, she was portrayed on most sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ in her human form! However, even though Hathor 𓉑 is represented as a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“, she is recognized easily because of her characteristic cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears! 

Music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ was essential to many religious rituals, so it was considered to be extremely important! There is even a word in Middle Egyptian just for β€œSistrum Player/Music Priest: π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡‹π“Œ‚β€!!! 

I love music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ and it is something that brings me so much joy 𓄫𓄣𓏏! I love how Hathor 𓉑 is associated with both of these things, because I do truly think that music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ and joy 𓄫𓄣𓏏 are linked together π“ˆ–π“Š— – and I’m sure that the ancient Egyptian people did too!

BTS 𓃀𓏏𓋴 and Il Volo 𓇋𓃭 𓆑𓍯𓃭𓍯 are my absolute favorite artists and I love π“ˆ˜π“ listening to their music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ! What I love π“ˆ˜π“ about BTS 𓃀𓏏𓋴 most are their lyrics – they have written some truly beautiful π“„€ songs!Β 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Djed Pillar

The β€œDjed Pillar π“Š½β€ is one of the most common symbols seen in Egyptian art and hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This particular Djed Pillar π“Š½ is from the Book of the Dead of 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 Imhotep at the MET! Even though this Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is from the Ptolemaic Period, the origin of the Djed Pillar π“Š½ is in the Predynastic Period!

Djed Pillar

The Djed Pillar π“Š½ can be seen in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ as a hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ, as an amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† for mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ or the living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ,  in tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ and temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ art, statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, and so much more! This is a wonderful symbol to understand the meaning of because it is everywhere! 

In terms of religious symbolism, The Djed Pillar π“Š½ is thought to represent the spine of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. When a person died 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and became β€œThe Osiris,” The Djed Pillar π“Š½ was then thought to represent their spine! The spine was thought to keep Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ upright and able to function as the primary god π“ŠΉ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱. This is even referenced in the The Book of the Dead: β€œRaise yourself up Osiris. You have your backbone once more, weary-hearted One; you have bones.” 

Let’s take a look at the hieroglyphic meaning! The β€œreed column π“Š½β€ more commonly known as the β€œDjed Pillar” is a biliteral phonogram that has the sound β€œαΈd” which sounds like β€œDjed.” It also functions as an ideogram for β€œStability.” 

There are many common words and phrases that have the Djed Pillar π“Š½ in it: 

π“™π“‹Ήπ“Š½π“Œ€ – Given Life, Stability, and Strength

π“Š½π“Š½π“ˆ‹π“…±π“Š– / π“Š½π“Š½π“…±π“Š– – Djedu 

π“Š½ / π“Š½π“ – Stability, Endure

π“‹΄π“Š½π“Š½ – Make Permanent

π“Š½π“‚§π“› – To Be Stable

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“High Priest” in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!Β 

High Priest

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a common word that is seen on many funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ such as stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“¦! These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ pictured translate to β€œPriest π“ŠΉπ“›,” β€œProphet π“ŠΉπ“›, β€œHigh Priest π“ŠΉπ“›β€ or even β€œHigh Priestess π“ŠΉπ“›β€ in English, but if you were to breakdown the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, it translates to β€œGod’s Servant π“ŠΉπ“›β€ in Middle Egyptian! 

π“ŠΉ – God 

𓍛 – Servant

The word for β€œServant” on its own is usually written with the determinative and looks like this: 𓍛𓀀 (for males) and 𓍛𓏏𓁐 (for females). For a phrase such as β€œGod’s Servant π“ŠΉπ“›,” the determinative is left out! 

Usually, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ or goddess π“ŠΉπ“ would come before the phrase β€œGod’s Servant π“ŠΉπ“›.” For example, π“‰‘π“ŠΉπ“› would translate to β€œHigh Priest of Hathor” and π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“ŠΉπ“› would translate to β€œHigh Priest of Ptah.” 

Let’s take a closer look at each of these symbols! 

The β€œcloth on a pole π“ŠΉβ€œ symbol is an ideogram for the word god. π“ŠΉ is also a triliteral phonogram, and represents the letters β€œntr” which may have been pronounced like β€œneter.” π“ŠΉ Is also a determinative for β€œgod.” So the β€œcloth on a pole π“ŠΉβ€œ symbol can function as all three types of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. If you see this symbol, you are most likely looking at a word that has to do with the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ!

The β€œlaunderer’s club 𓍛” is a biliteral phonogram which means it represents the sounds of two consonants. β€œπ“›β€ represents the sound β€œαΈ₯m.”

There are so many different ways to write priest in Middle Egyptian because there were so many different types of priests! Here are some of the other popular ones: 

π“‹΄π“…“ – Sem Priests (responsible for the Opening of the Mouth Ceremony 𓄋𓏏𓂋𓏺)

𓃂 / π“ƒ‚π“ˆ— – Wab Priest

𓀆 – To Be a Priest

π“‚– / π“‚—π“€€ – Ka Priest/Soul Priest/Priest of the Dead

π“‚π“ˆŽπ“‚­π“‚­π“€€ – Priest

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Heart and Heart Scarab

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

Since it’s Valentine’s Day, let’s talk about the Heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the Heart Scarab! This particular Heart Scarab at the Brooklyn Museum is so cool because it is actually in the shape of a heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 instead of a Scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣. The term β€œHeart Scarab” is a modern one used by archaeologists! 

In ancient Egyptian culture, the heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 was not only the center of a person’s life π“‹Ή, but also thinking, memory, and moral values. The heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 was not removed during the mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž process, because the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 person would need it on their journey through the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

The person’s heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 would be weighed against Maat’s π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ feather 𓆄𓏺 by Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, and that would determine if the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 would be presented to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and then enter the Field of Reeds π“‡π“π“ˆ…π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“‚‹π“…±π“†°π“Š–, or eternal 𓆖 life π“‹Ή. This was called the β€œWeighing of the Heart,”  or the β€œJudgement of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­.” 

Heart Scarab
Two Heart Scarabs in the shape of a heart, with Chapter 30B of the Book of the Dead inscribed on it.

So how does the Heart Scarab play into this? In modern terms, the Heart Scarab could be seen as a β€œcheat code” for getting past the β€œWeighing of the Heart” – most are inscribed with the spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“› from Chapter 30B from the Book of the Dead. In this spell π“Ž›π“‚“π“›, the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 asks their own heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 to not betray them during the β€œWeighing of the Heart.” 

Here is an excerpt from Chapter 30B from the Papyrus of Ani: β€œO my heart of different ages! Do not stand up as a witness against me, do not be opposed to me in the tribunal, do not be hostile to me in the presence of the keeper of the balance, for you are my ka which was in my body, the protector who made my members hale.” 

Basically, the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ feared the outcome of their final judgement so they developed this amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† as a way to ensure a positive outcome to the scales!

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Osiris’ Name in a Cartouche

Osiris’ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·? Usually the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 appears in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! While this doesn’t happen often, there are instances where the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ will appear in the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·!

This is a fragment of a beautifully π“„€ painted 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­. I would estimate its from around the later New Kingdom period or later because that’s when painted 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ such as these became popular!Β 

Osiris' Name in a Cartouche
Osiris’ name in a cartouche on a sarcophagus fragment

I love this piece because of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, but also because there is so much other stuff going on even though it’s small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©! The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are: π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ŽŸπ“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› which translates to β€œOsiris, Lord of Eternity.” Let’s break down the symbols! 

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

I haven’t seen that many pieces like this, so I just found this one so cool! Usually the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 is what appears in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, but in this case it’s Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and his title! The top of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· also has the Atef Crown π“‹š on it, which is the crown that is associated with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. 

The ancient Egyptians talked about β€œeternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›β€ a lot and were actually the civilization to derive the concept of β€œeternity 𓆖.” There were two 𓏻 very common ways they expressed the word for β€œeternity” in hieroglyphic symbols:Β 

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

𓆖 – Eternity/Everlasting

There are some other popular hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that appear on this piece!! See if you can spot them! 

π“„‘π“‚§π“π“Š– – Edfu

π“ŠΉπ“‰Ό – Great God

Both of the phrases appear symmetrically on either side of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· which is something that is common on these types of pieces! 

Let’s take a look at some of the deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that appear! If you look in the lower left, you can see part of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ with a large table of offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 in front of him. On the top left, below the winged π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒ sun disk 𓇳𓏺 is a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ which is representative of the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. On the top right, there is an ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀 which is representative of the god π“ŠΉ Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭. 

On either side of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, the god π“ŠΉ Hapi π“Ž›π“‚π“Šͺπ“­π“ˆ˜ (god π“ŠΉ of the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί/flooding of the Nile) is shown. There are two 𓏻 of him because if you look closely, you can see both symbolically tying up papyrus π“ π“ˆ–π“Ž›π“†° and lotus 𓆸 plants together. This was meant to represent the union of Upper 𓇓 and Lower 𓆀 Egypt! You can easily recognize Hapi π“Ž›π“‚π“Šͺπ“­π“ˆ˜ because of the papyrus flowers π“ π“ˆ–π“Ž›π“†° on his head! 

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I Miss You Nonno

β€œAll of this is all for you, Oh, I swear to God, you’re living, Through everything I’ll ever do.” – β€œTwo of Us” by Louis Tomlinson – this song really hits if you’re dealing with the death of a loved one. It’s raw and poignant and hard to listen to, but I feel like these particular lyrics really describe a lot.Β 

Nicole (as an infant) and Nonno!
Nicole (as an infant) and Nonno!

Today is a very difficult day for me (and my family), because it’s been three years since my Nonno passed away. It’s been three years since I’ve seen him, since we talked, since we laughed. There are times when I’m overwhelmed with sadness because I still cannot believe it happened. We spent so much time together and life still feels empty without my Nonno here. I’m not going to lie – I spent a lot of yesterday crying, and I will probably spend today that way too.Β 

Nicole and Nonno with a statue of Tutankhamun at the British Museum
Nicole and Nonno with a statue of Tutankhamun at the British Museum

This website (and my original Instagram account) is basically a manifestation of my grief and I started it in April 2020 as a way to try and manage my grief because it was overwhelming me. This account is also a way for my Nonno’s name and image to continue on. All I want is for people to see what an incredible person my Nonno was and how much he meant to me.Β 

Nicole and Nonno at Circus Maximus in Rome
Nicole and Nonno at Circus Maximus in Rome

I’m so lucky that my Nonno shared his passion for history with me at such a young age, and started my lifetime passion. Every time I post, you’re seeing an extension of what my Nonno knew, because he either taught it to me, or graciously gave me his books to read. All of this is Nonno – I’m just the messenger.Β 

Nicole and Nonno outside of the British Museum

Nonno and I have been best buds since day one and while I’m so lucky I had my Nonno with me for 27 years, I still feel like we needed more time. But if I’m being honest, no amount of time would’ve been enough. 

Nonno, I love you and miss you so much.

π“™π“‹Ήπ“†–π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Common Hieroglyphic Phrases

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

This hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ text from the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 of Imhotep contains some really common hieroglyphic phrases and words!  These phrases are short and easy to recognize, so once you learn them, you’ll be reading through some partial inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ in no time! 

Some parts of this papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 are written in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, which is very cool because I can read it! I have not mastered Hieratic at all, which is what a lot of papyri 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛𓏦 and Books of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 are written in! Hieratic is pretty much short-hand hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! I really want to learn Hieratic, and it’s one of my long term goals, but there are a lack of books on the subject which has hindered me from learning!

Common Hieroglyphic Phrases

Let’s break down the following text: π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“€­π“™π“Š€

π“ƒΉπ“ˆ– – It Is

π“„€ – Perfect/Beautiful

π“€­ – God

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice/Justified

All together the text reads: β€œIt is π“ƒΉπ“ˆ– the perfect god π“„€π“€­, true of voice π“™π“Š€β€¦β€ 

The phrase β€œIt is” can be written as π“ƒΉπ“ˆ– or π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“ˆ– – both are grammatically correct, it’s just spacing that can become an issue which is why sometimes only one β€œπ“ˆ–β€ appears! 

Let’s break down each of the symbols individually!

The β€œhare 𓃹” is normally used as a biliteral phonogram. The  𓃹 represents the sounds β€œwn.”

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is a uniliteral phonogram. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

The β€œheart and windpipe 𓄀” symbol is a triliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œnfr” which in modern times we pronounce like β€œnefer.”

The β€œseated god 𓀭” symbol is a determinative for the word β€œGod” or β€œKing.” 

The β€œplatform 𓐙” symbol is a triliteral phonogram which represents the sound β€œm3ˁ” which would be pronounced like β€œmah.” 

The β€œoar π“Š€β€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œαΈ«rw.”