Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Acquaintance, Knowledge, and more in Hieroglyphs!

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at an interesting word (𓂋𓐍𓏏 – rαΈ«t) that has many meanings depending on its determinative hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ! The determinative symbol is the last symbol in a word π“Œƒπ“‚§π“…±π“€ that helps to summarize the meaning of the whole word π“Œƒπ“‚§π“…±π“€!Β 

Acquaintance, Number, and more in Hieroglyphs!
𓂋𓐍𓏏 on a relief at the MET

In the context of the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, this word π“Œƒπ“‚§π“…±π“€ means β€œacquaintance 𓂋𓐍𓏏” and the full inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– is the title of β€œKing’s Acquaintance 𓇓𓂋𓐍𓏏.” In the title, the determinative in the word β€œacquaintance” is not written! Usually, when you see 𓂋𓐍𓏏 on its own without a determinative, it means β€œlist 𓂋𓐍𓏏.” 

However, just like any language, simple small words can act as the root of bigger words or phrases! Pay attention to the determinatives at the end of some of these words and how they can relate to each other in some way! Let’s take a look at some of them: 

𓂋𓐍𓏏 – List

𓂋𓐍𓏏𓂝 – To Wash Clothes

𓇓𓂋𓐍𓏏 – King’s Acquaintance (Title)

𓂋𓐍𓏏𓏛 – Female Friend, Female Acquaintance

𓂋𓐍𓏏𓏛 – Knowledge, Number, Amount 

𓂋𓐍𓏏𓏛𓏦 – Knowledge, Number, Amount, List (notice how this version has two determinatives – the β€œπ“¦β€ is making it plural)

π“‚‹π“π“π“π“π“›π“œ – The Wise

π“‚‹π“π“π“ŽŸπ“ – More, Most

Let’s breakdown the symbols:

The β€œmouth 𓂋” symbol functions most commonly as a uniliteral phonogram and is used to represent the sound β€œr.” It can also be used as an ideogram for the word β€œmouth 𓂋𓏺.” 

The β€œplacenta or sieve 𓐍” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram and is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«.” This symbol is actually considered β€œunclassified” because Egyptologists actually don’t know what it exactly represents! 

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine when placed at the end of the word!Β 

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Blog Egyptian Artifacts

My Favorite Egyptian Artifacts

Happy 700 𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲 posts to @ancientegyptblog 𓃣 on Instagram!! Thank you 𓋴𓏏𓍯𓄿𓀒 all π“ŽŸ for your continued support – it means the world 𓇾𓇾 to me!

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ for a special post, I wanted to share some of my absolute favorite Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ artifacts that I have seen in museums! Now, these objects aren’t the β€œbig ticket” items, or objects that most people run and see, however, these are the ones that I love and items that you can probably see at your local museums!Β 

Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ – it’s no secret that I love reading hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, and I love seeing them no matter what object they appear on! 

Hieroglyphs King's List
Me with the King’s List in the British Museum

Ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ- my favorite little guys who perform tasks for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐! There are so many different types across various time periods of Egyptian history! I love them all!Β 

Ushabtis
The Ushabti display at the Brooklyn Museum

Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ Statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ- Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was one of the only commoners to be deified, and he was the architect of Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– first 𓏃 pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴! My Nonno loved Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ, and I do too! This Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ Statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 pictured is my favorite one at the Vatican!

My favorite Imhotep statue at the Vatican Museum – Look at those ears!!

Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺- better known to the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ as the β€œBook of Going Forth By Day,” this papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 would provide spells needed for the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to reach the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. This one pictured is the Papyrus of Hunefer, which contains my favorite β€œWeighing of the Heart” scene.Β 

Book of the Dead of Hunefer
The Weighing of the Heart Scene from the Book of the Dead of Hunefer at the British Museum

Wooden Sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺΒ  (with the Eyes) – The eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 on this side of the sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ would allow the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 to see outside of it! My Nonno told me this every time we were in a museum and saw a sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ like this!Β 

Middle Kingdom Sarcophagus
Middle Kingdom sarcophagus with the eyes! (the MET)

Anything Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 – Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, the god π“ŠΉ of mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž and tombs, has been my favorite god π“ŠΉ, so I get excited every time I see him! Reliefs, sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ, statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ, – you can find Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 all over!Β 

Anubis relief
My favorite relief of Anubis (from the Middle Kingdom) at the MET

Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ- I love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things so of course I love amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ! Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ come in all different designs – every day objects, deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, animals – the list is endless! There are so many different types and functions, however their main function was protection of the living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ or the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱!Β 

Amulets
Various amulets on display at the MET – including the winged scarab which is one of my favorites!

Hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ – I am obsessed with the Egyptian Hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― statues! Hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ were both feared and revered along the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί! I always look to see if a museum has one of these!Β 

William the Hippo
William, the blue faience Egyptian hippo at the MET

I hope you enjoyed this highlight of some of my favorite Egyptian artifacts!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Amenhotep III

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to speak some more about the very interesting the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† who ruled π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ during the 18th Dynasty!

Amenhotep III
Head of pharaoh Amenhotep III at the British Museum

Fun fact: more statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ exist of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† than of any other pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 (sorry Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“) – over 250 π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† have been currently identified. He was a prolific builder, undertaking many building projects at once and the largest statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of himself stand over 60 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž† feet tall – these are now known as the Colossi of Memnon. His reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ is considered to be peak prosperity – economically and artistically for Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–.Β 

Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳, I spoke how the Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ were made of black π“†Žπ“…“ granodiorite π“ π“ˆ–π“π“π“ŠŒ to represent rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. However, all statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† himself were made of either red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ (like the one in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏), or quartzite to represent his close connections to the sun 𓇳𓏺 god π“ŠΉ Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛, since these stones π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺπ“ͺ are much lighter in color. 

Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† wanted to be associated with Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 and his other manifestations. He was often referred to as β€œheir of Ra” or β€œRa’s chosen one” and even the β€œEye of Ra” just like Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ herself – I guess the usual β€œSon of Ra 𓅭𓇳” wasn’t enough for Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†! Again, Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was probably heavily influenced by his father’s obsession with solar 𓇳 deities  π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ which paved the way for Atenism. 

This particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 shows Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† in a very youthful appearance. He is wearing both the white crown π“„€π“‹‘ of Upper Egypt 𓇓 and the red crown π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹” of Lower Egypt 𓆀 with the characteristic Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 on the front of the crowns. This piece was found in the Temple of Mut 𓏏𓅑𓁐 at Karnak. 

𓏏𓅱𓏏 πŸ“Έ by Nonno! 

Categories
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.”

Categories
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! 

Categories
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 

Categories
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

Categories
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

Categories
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!