Author: ancientegyptblog7

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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!

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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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Blog

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. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Geb in Hieroglyphs

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

These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ pictured below spell out the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ β€œGeb 𓅬𓃀𓀭.” Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 is the god π“ŠΉ of the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface, which the ancient Egyptians called the Upper Earth. Anything that occurred on the Earth’s surface was considered to be Geb’s 𓅬𓃀𓀭 domain! For example, it is said that Geb’s 𓅬𓃀𓀭 laughter is what caused earthquakes to happen! Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 was also responsible for allowing crops to grow!Β 

Geb in Hieroglyphs
The name of the god Geb in Hieroglyphs on a sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum

Here are the two most common ways to write Geb’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

𓅬𓃀𓀭

𓅬𓃀

Let’s break down each of the symbols! 

The β€œgoose 𓅬” is a biliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œgb” which would have possibly been pronounced like β€œGeb.” It can also act as a determinative in certain cases.  

The β€œfoot 𓃀” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œb.” Here, the β€œfoot 𓃀” symbol is acting as a phonetic complement, meaning it’s emphasizing the β€œb” sound from the previous symbol, and was most likely not pronounced. 

The β€œseated god 𓀭” is a determinative symbol and isn’t pronounced! It acts as β€œpunctuation” at the end of the name of a male god!

The hardest part about some of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is distinguishing them from each other! The β€œgoose 𓅬” and the very popular β€œpintail duck 𓅭” symbols are almost indistinguishable from each other! Not going to lie, sometimes I have difficulty telling the two symbols apart!Β Β 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Shu in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ pictured spell out the name of the god β€œShu 𓆄𓅱.”

Shu in Hieroglyphs

Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 was the god π“ŠΉ of the air and atmosphere. In the Egyptian creation myth, Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 raised the atmosphere from the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface, separating the two 𓏻.Β 

Shu in Hieroglyphs
Shu raising up the sky/atmosphere depicted on a sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum. Can you spot Shu’s name in the image?

Shu 𓇋𓅱 is usually depicted as a man standing or kneeling with both of his arms raised (like this hieroglyphic symbol – 𓁏). His arms are in this position to show that he is holding up the air/atmosphere above the ground! Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 was often worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 by sailors, who were looking for favorable winds π“‡‹π“‡¬π“ˆ–π“…±π“Š‘π“¦!Β 

Shu in Hieroglyphs

Here are the two most common ways to write β€œShu” in hieroglyphs: 

𓆄𓅱

𓇋𓅱𓀭

Let’s break down each of the symbols! 

The β€œfeather 𓆄” is a biliteral symbol and is representative of the sound Ε‘w. β€œπ“†„β€ can also function as an ideogram for β€œfeather 𓆄𓏺,” and as a determinative for β€œMaat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„.” So the β€œfeather 𓆄” symbol has many different uses! 

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is a super popular symbol! It is a uniliteral phonogram that is representative of the sound w/u, and it is also an ideogram for the word β€œchick 𓅱𓏺.” It mostly appears as a uniliteral phonogram and is one of the hieroglyphs that appears the most in inscription! 

The β€œseated god 𓀭” is a determinative symbol and isn’t pronounced! It acts as β€œpunctuation” at the end of the name of a male god! 

Here are some other words that are similar to Shu 𓆄𓅱 – they are pronounced the same, but have different determinatives which changes the meaning of the word! What is so cool about these words is that they are related to the atmosphere/sky! 

𓆄𓅱𓅨 – Empty

𓆄𓅱𓇳, 𓆄𓅱𓇢 – sun, sunlight

I’m fascinated by the fact that both β€œempty 𓆄𓅱𓅨” and β€œShu 𓆄𓅱” are pronounced the same because we can’t see the atmosphere so what is above/all around us appears to be empty 𓆄𓅱𓅨 but it’s not and the ancient Egyptians knew that!Β 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Egyptian Star

Egyptian Star
The Egyptian Star hieroglyph might have been inspired by the starfish that live in the Red Sea

The five pointed Egyptian Star 𓇼 is one of my absolute favorite hieroglyphic symbols! The star hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ symbol 𓇼 was used very frequently in words as well and there are different variations of star symbols (𓇻, 𓇽). You’ll mostly see it in words like β€œDuat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.” Sometimes β€œDuat” is represented with just the β€œπ“‡½β€ symbol too!Β 

Egyptian Star
A painted and a carved hieroglyphic Egyptian star!

What I also love about the Star 𓇼 is that not only does it function as a hieroglyph, but it is also used as artistic decoration.Β 

Egyptian Star
Egyptian Stars on the Middle Kingdom Canopic Jar Case of Ukhotep (MET)

The night sky/star design appears on the ceilings of tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ (Seti I’s π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“£π“‡Œπ“ŒΈπ“ˆ– tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ comes to mind), temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ (Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐) and even on funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ like canopic jar cases and in the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺!Β 

Egyptian Star
Stars in the Book of the Dead of Sobekmose (Brooklyn Museum)

The five pointed star hieroglyph (𓇼), while used to represent stars 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼𓏦 in the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯, actually resembles the starfish π“‡Όπ“ˆ™π“‡Ό that inhabit the Red Sea! Egyptologists and archaeologists think that the star hieroglyph (𓇼) originally represented the starfish π“‡Όπ“ˆ™π“‡Ό but then evolved to represent stars 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼𓏦 in the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 as well.Β 

Egyptian Star
Stars in the Book of the Dead of Imhotep (MET)Β 

What I find fascinating is that the ancient Egyptian language (π“‡Όπ“ˆ™π“‡Ό), English (starfish), and Italian (stella marina) all equate these beautiful π“„€ sea animals to the stars in the sky! The ancient Egyptians had a deep understanding of astronomy and the stars 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼𓏦 and it’s so cool that they saw starfish π“‡Όπ“ˆ™π“‡Ό in the Red Sea and thought that they looked like the bright objects in the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯!Β 

Egyptian Star
A Starfish at EPCOT in Disney World – it definitely looks like a five pointed Egyptian Star!

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Upon His Hill

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, we are going to be looking at the significance of the epithet β€œUpon His Hill/Mountain.” 

An epithet is almost like a title, except it comes after a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– instead of before it! The epithet β€œβ€œUpon His Hill” or β€œUpon His Mountain” 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; he was always standing watch on tombs/cemeteries from above!Β 

Upon His Hill
The phrase “Upon His Hill” painted on a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus.

Here are some variants of the phrase: 

π“Άπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“Ί

𓁢π“Šͺπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“Ί

𓁢π“Šͺπ“ˆ‹π“Ίπ“†‘

Upon His Hill
Different variants of the phrase “Upon His Hill” in hieroglyphs. The painted phrase is from a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus, while the carved phrase is from an Old Kingdom False Door.

Let’s break down the sentence! 

𓁢/𓁢π“Šͺ – Upon β€œtp”

π“ˆ‹ – Hill β€œαΈw”

𓆑 – His β€œf”

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

The β€œhead 𓁢” symbol is a biliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œtp.” It can also be used as an ideogram and determinative for the word β€œhead.” In this case it is a phonogram. 

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” In this phrase, it is acting as a phonetic complement, which means it is emphasizing the β€œp” sound in the β€œπ“Άπ“Šͺ” part of the phrase. 

The β€œmountain π“ˆ‹β€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œαΈw.” It also functions as an ideogram for the words β€œmountain” and β€œhill.” 

The β€œhorned viper 𓆑” functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œf.” In this case, the singular symbol represents the word β€œhis,” which has a sound of just β€œf.” In Middle Egyptian, the pronoun comes after the word it is describing. 

The β€œstroke 𓏺” has many different uses but here it is used for aesthetic purposes! The β€œstroke 𓏺” is used to fill up that extra space as needed and can almost be thought of as punctuation! 

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! 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

West 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 significance of the β€œwest π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ.” 

West
Different variants of “west” in hieroglyphs

The sun 𓇳𓏺 rising in the east 𓋁𓃀𓏏𓏭 and setting in the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ is a natural phenomenon that has occurred since the Earth formed over 4.5 billion years ago. The illusion of the sun 𓇳𓏺 rising and setting is caused by the Earth rotating on its axis, and this motion causes us to have night π“ŽΌπ“‚‹π“Ž›π“„› and day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳. 

The ancient Egyptians observed this phenomenon and not only developed the concept of the 24 hour day, but centered one of the biggest parts of their religion around it! Since the sun sets in the west π“ŠΏπ“π“π“ˆŠ, the west π“‹€π“π“ˆŠ was determined to be the land of the dead. It’s no coincidence that tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ are located on the western π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ banks of the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί! 

Here are some of the popular ways to write β€œwest” in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! These are only three of the popular variants, but there are many others! 

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ 

π“‹€π“π“ˆŠ

π“ŠΏπ“π“π“ˆŠ

West
Different variants of “West” written in three different types of hieroglyphs – painted, carved, and cursive hieroglyphs.

Let’s break down the symbols! 

The β€œfeather on a standard π“‹€/π“ŠΏβ€ symbols are actually variants of each other and function the same way in inscriptions! This is an ideogram for the word β€œwest” and is associated with the sound β€œjmnt.” 

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

The β€œmountain range π“ˆŠβ€ symbol is both an ideogram and a determinative. It is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«3st” and means β€œdesert cliffs” or β€œforeign land.”

So whichever way you write β€œwest π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ, π“‹€π“π“ˆŠ, π“ŠΏπ“π“π“ˆŠ,” it would be pronounced as β€œjmnt” and any extra β€œπ“β€ symbols function as a phonetic complement! 

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

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