Author: ancientegyptblog7

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Egyptian Artifacts

Imhotep and Khereduankh

Today, let’s talk about some of the stories that surround Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – including his mother! Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was a real man that lived during Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– third dynasty (around 2700 B.C.E.) during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Djoser 𓂦𓂋. While Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is best known for being the architect of Djoser’s Step Pyramid (and Egypt’s first ever pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴), he was also a high priest π“ŠΉπ“› of Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛! After his death, Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ became one of the few non-royal Egyptians to be deified.Β 

Imhotep and Khereduankh
Imhotep and Khereduankh on display at the MET

There is not much that is known about Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ as a person while he was alive; most of what we know about Imhotep was written at the earliest 1,200 years after his death! Referred to as β€œSebayt π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“‡Œπ“π“›β€ in Middle Egyptian, these β€œinstructions” or β€œteachings” refer to Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ as a great physician and a writer! One text from the 20th Dynasty called β€œEulogy of Dead Writers” even states β€œIs there another like Imhotep?” 

Most statues of Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ are made of bronze and are dated to the Ptolemaic Period, because that was when Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was widely worshipped. Imhotep’s π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ mother, Khereduankh, even had statues made of her (she is on the right in my picture). Khereduankh is usually depicted as a seated woman wearing a short wig and the feathered crown with two Uraei 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗π“ͺ.Β 

Imhotep and Khereduankh
Imhotep and Khereduankh on display at the MET

There are even stories written about Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ, Khereduankh, Renpetneferet (his sister or wife depending on the story), and Djoser 𓂦𓂋! This story was written in Demotic on papyrus, and even includes Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ battling an Assyrian sorceress! Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ really could do everything! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Statue of Cleopatra VII

I’m going to make my first post of 2024 about one of my Nonno’s absolute favorite people from Egyptian history – Cleopatra VII! Even though Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was Greek, she is considered to be the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–.Β 

Cleopatra VII

One of the interesting features about this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is that on her forehead there are three Uraei 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗π“ͺ instead of the standard two! During the Ptolemaic Period, rulers π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύπ“ͺ had three Uraei 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗π“ͺ on their forehead, with the third possibly representing the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯. 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! The cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· seen on the shoulder is actually a later addition and not an original part of the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, so Egyptologists do not know if this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was originally meant to represent Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇!Β 

Cleopatra VII

The picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above shows the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇! Since Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was Greek and not native Egyptian, this cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of hers is very phonetic – most of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ used are uniliteral signs, which means that they correspond to a single sound, just like a letter in the alphabet.

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is made out of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ and is dated to the Ptolemaic Period (200-30 B.C.E.). 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Lord of the Sacred Land

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the significance of the epithet β€œLord of the Sacred Land π“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“‚¦.”

An epithet is almost like a title, except it comes after a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– instead of before it! The epithet β€œLord of the Sacred Land π“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“‚¦β€ (some also translate it as β€œLord of the Necropolis), will commonly follow the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in inscriptions! This phrase is representative of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 role as protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱! The β€œsacred land” that is being referred to is actually the tombs/cemeteries for the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱!

Lord of the Sacred Land
“Lord of the Sacred Land” painted on a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus

Let’s break down the phrase!
π“ŽŸ – Lord
𓇾 – Land
𓂦 – Sacred

This phrase gives us a nice and simple look at Middle Egyptian sentence structure! In Middle Egyptian, the adjectives follow the noun hence why it reads β€œlord land sacred” instead of β€œLord Sacred Land.” In English, the adjective comes before the noun in a sentence!

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

The β€œbasket π“ŽŸβ€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œnb” which is thought to have been pronounced like β€œneb.” The π“ŽŸ alone can also mean the common words β€œLord,” β€œPossessor,” and β€œAll.”

The β€œstrip of land with sand 𓇾” symbol is an ideogram for land, Earth and world. It is also a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œt3” and can be a determinative in the word β€œeternity 𓆖.”

The β€œforearm with brush 𓂦” symbol is both an ideogram and determinative for β€œsacred” and is associated with the sound β€œαΈsr.”

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Ahmose I

Despite the 500 𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲 years separating their reigns, the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ Montuhotep II π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ (Dynasty 11) and Ahmose I π“‡Ίπ“„Ÿ (Dynasty 18) are considered to be two 𓏻 of Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– greatest pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ for a very similar reason. They were both responsible for reunifying Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!

Ahmose I
Me with the head of the pharaoh Ahmose I at the MET

Ahmose I π“‡Ίπ“„Ÿ defeated the Hyksos and founded the 18th Dynasty, which is the start of the New Kingdom (this is my favorite part of Egyptian history)! This is the time period when Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– not only reached its peak power politically, but also a golden age in arts and building projects. Ahmose I π“‡Ίπ“„Ÿ is responsible for jump-starting all of this by opening quarries π“Ž›π“π“π“‰π“₯, mines, and trade routes in order to undertake these large construction programs.

This beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Ahmose I π“‡Ίπ“„Ÿ shows him wearing the White Crown π“„€π“‹‘ of Upper Egypt 𓇓. It is estimated that Ahmose I ruled for around 25 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ years.

Ahmose I
A closer view of the head of a statue of pharaoh Ahmose I at the MET.

What does Ahmose I’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– mean? Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This is what the individual symbols mean:
𓇺 – Iah (The Moon)
π“„Ÿ – Born/Birth
All together, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œThe Moon is Born” which is such a wonderful name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! I love it!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Montuhotep II’s Birth Name

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to be looking at the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· for the Middle Kingdom pharaoh Montuhotep II π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ!

Montuhotep II’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ name is a combination of two different Middle Egyptian words! Let’s break down the two words:

π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± – Montu (𓏠 – mn) (π“ˆ– – n) (𓍿- t) (π“…± – u/w)
π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Hotep (π“Š΅ – htp) (𓏏 – t) (π“Šͺ – p)

Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± refers to of the falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ headed god π“ŠΉ of war who was mainly worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–. The word β€œhotep/htp π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” translates to the word β€œsatisfied” or β€œcontent.” The word β€œhotep/htp π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” can also mean β€œoffering” or β€œpeace!” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ means β€œMontu is satisfied” or β€œMontu is content.”

Montuhotep II
The birth name cartouche of the Middle Kingdom pharaoh Montuhotep II

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols!

The β€œπ“  game board and pieces” is a biliteral phonogram. The β€œ 𓏠” is associated with the sound β€œmn” which could be pronounced like β€œmen,” β€œmun,” β€œmon,” etc.

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is a uniliteral phonogram associated with the sound of β€œn!” Here it is a phonetic complement!

The β€œπ“Ώ hobble/tie” is a uniliteral phonogram sign associated with the sounds of β€œαΉ―β€ or β€œt.”

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is uniliteral phonogram that is representative of the sound w/u.

The β€œbread loaf on mat π“Š΅β€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram for the sound β€œαΈ₯tp” and is also an ideogram for β€œoffering slab” which is also associated with the sound β€œαΈ₯tp.”

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” Here it is a phonetic complement!

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” Here it is a phonetic complement!

Read about Montuhotep II’s Throne Name in this post!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Montuhotep II’s Throne Name – Nebhapetra

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to be looking at the throne name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· for the Middle Kingdom pharaoh Montuhotep II! While Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is his birth name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· we are looking at in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is his throne name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, which is β€œNebhapetra π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€.”

Nebhapetra
The throne name cartouche of Montuhotep II which reads “Nebhapetra”

Let’s look even closer at the individual glyphs!
𓇳 – Ra
π“ŽŸ – β€œNeb” (nb)
π“Š€ – β€œHapet” (αΈ«rw or αΈ₯jpt)

The β€œπ“‡³ sun disc” symbol is an ideogram for β€œra” or β€œre,” but can also be a determinative in words such as sun 𓆄𓅱𓇳, today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, and for words associated with time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.” Re is written first but pronounced last due to β€œhonorific transposition” – the name of the god is written first out of respect.

The β€œπ“Ž  basket” is a biliteral phonogram symbol that has the sound of β€œnb,” which is inferred to be pronounced like β€œneb.” The π“ŽŸ alone can also mean the common words β€œLord,” β€œPossessor,” and β€œAll.”

The β€œoar π“Š€β€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram or an ideogram. As a triliteral it represents the sound β€œαΈ«rw,” and as an ideogram for β€œoar” it represents the sound β€œαΈ₯jpt” which is the sound used in this case!

So all π“ŽŸ together his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œPossessor of the Oar of Ra.”
𓇳 – Ra
π“ŽŸ – Possessor
π“Š€ – Oar

This raised relief is originally from Montuhotep II’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. This relief was part of one of the main areas of the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ that was added at the end of Montuhotep’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ reign π“‹Ύ. This dates the relief to c. 2010–2000 B.C.E. (Middle Kingdom, Dynasty 11).

Read about Montuhotep II’s Birth Name in this post!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Pharaoh Khufu in Hieroglyphs

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱!

A lot of people know him by the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œCheops,” which is the Greek version of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–. However, when you read his cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, it is very clear that his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱! Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱 is best known for constructing the Great Pyramid at Giza!

Pharaoh Khufu in Hieroglyphs
The name of the Pharaoh Khufu in Hieroglyphs

Let’s break down the meaning of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œKhufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱,” which means β€œHe Protects Me.”
𓐍𓅱 – Protects
𓆑 – He
π“…± – Me/I

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

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is a super popular symbol! It is a uniliteral phonogram that is representative of the sound w/u and sometimes functions as an ideogram. It mostly appears as a uniliteral phonogram and is one of the hieroglyphs that appears the most in inscriptions!

The β€œhorned viper 𓆑” functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œf.” In other words, it can function as a determinative. It can also be the pronoun β€œhe/him.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

How to write “Hieroglyphs” in Hieroglyphs!

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the Middle Egyptian word that we translate as β€œhieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“¬!” The word “hieroglyph” is a modern word and is not what the ancient Egyptians called their writing system/language. Today we are going to learn the special meaning behind the real name for the ancient Egyptian language!

Hieroglyphs
The word for “hieroglyphs” in hieroglyphs! This inscription is painted on a sarcophagus at the MET.

Before we break down the meaning, are some common ways to write β€œhieroglyphs” in hieroglyphs: 

π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ

π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“¬

π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“Œƒπ“Œƒ

Let’s take a closer look at each of the symbols! This will help us to understand the meaning better! 

The β€œcloth on a pole π“ŠΉβ€œ hieroglyph 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€œstaff or walking stick π“Œƒβ€ functions as both a phonogram (in this word) and as an ideogram (for the word β€œ staff π“Œƒπ“Ίβ€). π“Œƒ is a triliteral phonogram symbol and represents the sound β€œmdw” or it can be a biliteral phonogram for β€œmd” in certain cases. This symbol is used in a lot of words that have to do with speech (for example, β€œWords Spoken By π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–β€). 

The β€œthree strokes π“₯,” β€œthree grains of sand 𓏬” and the β€œthree repeated staffs π“Œƒπ“Œƒπ“Œƒβ€ symbols are what makes β€œwords/speech” plural in the word! The plural is associated with the sound β€œw.” Now what’s interesting is that the β€œstaff or walking stick π“Œƒβ€ symbol is already β€œmdw” so this is a case of a phonetic complement too! 

So what does β€œπ“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ” actually mean? While we translate it as β€œhieroglyphs,” the actual phrase in Middle Egyptian is better translated as β€œGod’s Words,” β€œDivine Speech,” or β€œGod’s Speech.” This makes sense since the god π“ŠΉ Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 was said to have invented hieroglyphs! 

The word β€œπ“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ” would have been pronounced like β€œmdw ntr” even though β€œntr π“ŠΉβ€ was written first due to honorific transposition! Usually the possessing noun (god’s) is written second, but out of respect for the gods, it was written first but then pronounced second! It’s like how we say β€œten dollars ($10)” instead of β€œdollars ten.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Wepwawet in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to learn about another jackal god π“ŠΉ because Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 isn’t the only jackal in ancient Egypt! Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“π“₯ is likely the oldest god π“ŠΉ associated with the jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯ and we are going to learn how to read Wepwawet’s name in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“π“₯𓃧 is associated with war and conquest, and leading ritual processions. Wepwawet’s π“„‹π“ˆπ“π“₯ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œOpener of the Ways,” which has many meanings. He was associated with clearing the path for the sun 𓇳𓏺 to rise in the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯, clearing the way for the armies in battle, and clearing the path for the deceased to enter the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. Statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“π“₯ were also carried in front of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 during processions for this reason!Β 

Wepwawet in Hieroglyphs
Wepwawet in Hieroglyphs and a small statue of Wepwawet that was most likely part of a standard (a staff used in ceremonies)

Let’s take a look at Wepwawet’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

π“„‹π“ˆπ“π“₯ (this is the variant in the picture)

π“„‹π“ˆπ“π“₯𓃧

π“„‹π“ˆπ“π“₯𓁒

π“„‹π“ˆπ“ˆπ“ˆ

π“„‹π“ˆπ“ˆπ“ˆπ“€­

𓃧

Let’s break down the symbols! 

The β€œhorns 𓄋” symbol is a biliteral phonogram that has the sound of β€œwp.” 

The β€œpath with shrubs π“ˆβ€ symbol is an ideogram for the words β€œroad” and β€œway.” and represents the sound β€œw3t.” It can also be a determinative for β€œroad.” 

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” Here it is acting as a phonetic complement and emphasizing the β€œt” sound at the end of β€œw3t π“ˆ.” 

The β€œthree strokes π“₯” symbol is what makes β€œways” plural in Wepwawet’s name! The β€œthree strokes π“₯” is associated with the sound β€œw” when making a word plural. The β€œpath with shrubs π“ˆβ€ symbol can also be repeated three times to make it plural. 

The β€œjackal on a standard 𓃧” symbol is both an ideogram and a determinative for β€œWepwawet.” This is why Wepwawet’s name can be written with just the symbol! This is the most common determinative to see associated with his name.

Wepwawet in Hieroglyphs
A small bronze statue of the god Wepwawet, which was most likely part of a standard.

One way to tell Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“π“₯ and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 apart is by how the jackal is standing: Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is usually shown in the recumbent position (𓃒, 𓃣, 𓃀) while Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 is usually shown standing up (𓃧, 𓃨).

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

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Khnum in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to learn about the god π“ŠΉ β€œKhnum π“ŽΈπ“ !”

Khnum π“ŽΈπ“  is one of the oldest Egyptian deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. The evidence of worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 for Khnum π“ŽΈπ“π“€­ dates back to the First Dynasty and he was worshipped until the early centuries CE.

Khnum π“ŽΈπ“…“π“€­ is the god π“ŠΉ of the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί and fertility. While there are other deities that are also gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ of the Nile (Hapi π“Ž›π“‚π“Šͺπ“­π“ˆ˜) and fertility (Min π“‹Šπ“ŠΎ), many Egyptian gods had many different roles and Khnum π“ŽΈπ“  happens to be one of the most ancient. The Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί gives life π“‹Ή to Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, hence why gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ of the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί were usually also associated with fertility. 

In the creation myth, Khnum π“ŽΈπ“€­ is said to have created all of the world’s people on his potter’s wheel. He is associated with Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, who created the heavens π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 and Earth 𓇾𓇾 on a potter’s wheel. 

Khnum π“ŽΈπ“…“π“€­ is usually represented as a person with a ram head. I love how his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs incorporates a pot since Khnum created people on his potter’s wheel! I don’t know if it was intentional but it’s still really cool!Β 

Khnum in Hieroglyphs
The god Khnum represented as a human body with a ram’s head. You can see Khnum’s name in Hieroglyphs above his head!

There are many different ways to write Khnum π“ŽΈπ“…“π“  in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here are some of the common ways: 

π“ŽΈπ“  (can you spot this one in the picture?)

π“ŽΈπ“€­

π“ŽΈπ“π“€­

π“ŽΈπ“π“ 

π“ŽΈπ“…“π“€­

π“ŽΈπ“…“π“ 

π“ŽΈπ“ƒ

Let’s break down the Khnum’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

The β€œstone jug π“ŽΈβ€ is a triliteral phonogram that is associated with the sound β€œαΊ–nm” which would be pronounced like β€œKhnum.” 

Whenever the 𓏏 or the π“…“ follow the stone jug in Khnum’s name, they are acting as phonetic complements and would not be pronounced. The determinatives at the end of the name can also change between the β€œseated god 𓀭” and the β€œram headed 𓁠” symbol. The β€œram 𓃝” can also be used as a determinative.

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!