Category: Reading Hieroglyphs

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Montu in Hieroglyphs

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

Today we are going to learn how to read the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ MontuΒ π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“€­!Β MontuΒ π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“€­Β was a war god and was worshipped widely during the 11th Dynasty/Middle Kingdom.Β 

A closeup of the name “Montu” in hieroglyphs from a stela at the MET

The β€œπ“  game board and pieces” is a phonogram sign. It is a biliteral sign, which means that it represents two consonants. 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 also a phonogram sign, except it is uniliteral sign, which means that it just represents one consonant. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

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

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is a super popular symbol! It is a uniliteral symbol that is representative of the sound w/u, and it is also an ideogram for the word β€œchick π“…±π“Ί.”

The final symbol in the name, β€œπ“€­ seated god,” is one that is not pronounced! This is a determinative symbol, which means that it is a symbol used to show the general meaning of the word! It is basically used as punctuation at the end of the word to show you that it is over!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Two Sides of the Same Coffin!

Dedication to Osiris on a coffin at the Brooklyn Museum

In the picture above, you can see a dedication to Osiris – π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ π“ŽŸπ“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š– – β€œAn offering the king gives Osiris, Lord of Djedu”

Djedu π“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š– refers to the birthplace of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. The eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 on this side of the sarcophagus would allow the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 to see outside of it!

Dedication to Anubis on a coffin at the Brooklyn Museum

In the picture above, you can see a dedication to Anubis – π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹ 𓆑 – β€œAn offering the king gives Anubis, upon his hill…”

β€œUpon his hill” is in reference to Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 being the god π“ŠΉ of cemeteries, and looking over cemeteries from the cliff or hill above it!

Why dedications to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣?! They are the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ most commonly associated with death!

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Statue of Senwosret III

This is a black granite statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of the 12th π“Ž†π“» Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Senwosret III π“‡³π“ˆπ“‚“π“‚“π“‚“. Senwosret III π“‡³π“ˆπ“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ is thought to be the most powerful pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the 12th π“Ž†π“» Dynasty because his successful military campaigns gave rise to an era of peace π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ. Peace π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ led to economic prosperity, and this led to a newfound revival in artistry and craft works.

Statue of Senwosret III at the Brooklyn Museum

This newfound artistry during this time period then led to some new styles in how the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was portrayed in statuary. The statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ of Senwosret III π“‡³π“ˆπ“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ are so distinctive that they can be immediately recognized as his, even without reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. Some parts of the statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ are realistic, like the protruding eye sockets and the lines on his face, while some features, like the young and strong torso, are most likely idealized. Egyptologists can only speculate on why he was portrayed this way – some argue that it’s because Senwosret III π“‡³π“ˆπ“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ wanted to be seen as human before divine.

This statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ in particular shows Senwosret III π“‡³π“ˆπ“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ wearing the royal nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ headcloth. Beneath his feet are nine bows – each meant to represent one of Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– enemies. Since the enemies are beneath his feet, it shows successful defeat by the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

In the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, you can see his Horus nameπ“…ƒπ“Š[π“ŠΉ 𓆣𓅱] which I think means β€œHorus in divine form.” Also, you can see his prenomen or β€œthrone name” which is marked by the π“†₯ (he of the sedge and the bee aka King of Upper and Lower Egypt) hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ before the cartouche. π“‡³π“ˆπ“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ means β€œthe Souls of Ra have returned.”

Statue of Senwosret III at the Brooklyn Museum
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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Pair Statue

This type of statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ is referred to as a Pair Statue.

The front of a Pair Statue at the Brooklyn Museum

Pair Statues first appeared in the Third Dynasty during the reign of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Djoser 𓂦, however, this example is from the 18th Dynasty (New Kingdom – either the reign of Thutmosis IV 𓇳𓏠𓆣𓏼 or Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž ).

The purpose of the Pair Statue was to show closeness between two 𓏻 individuals. This pair statue represents a husband and wife 𓂑𓏏𓁐! The man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ is named Nebsen and he was a scribe π“Ÿπ“€€ in the treasury, while the woman 𓂑𓏏𓁐 is named Nebet-ta, and she was a singer in the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯. Both scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ and singers were held in high regard and were of high status, which is probably how they had the means to procure such a beautiful π“„€ pair statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ!

What I love about this statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ is how beautiful π“„€ the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are!

The word β€œwoman” can be written multiple ways, either π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ or 𓂑𓏏𓁐. The latter can also mean β€œwife.”

There is also a dedication to the god π“ŠΉ Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹ (right column on the back):

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Relief of Rameses II

There are two 𓏻 different types of reliefs; raised and sunken reliefs. In a raised relief, the images project upward from the rock, while in a sunken relief, the images are carved within the rock.

Most of the time, especially for temple and royal inscriptions, the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ chose to to raised reliefs because it was less likely to be completely washed out by the sun 𓇳𓏺! Sunken reliefs were mainly used when time was of the essence, because sunken reliefs took less time to carve or when the rock was too hard/dense. Sunken reliefs actually became more popular starting with the 18th Dynasty.

Full Relief of Rameses II at the Brooklyn Museum.

This relief shows Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–. What is interesting is the hieroglyphs are sunken reliefs, while the images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 are raised reliefs.

Usually reliefs were either one or the other, however, this relief has both sunken and raised aspects to it! Many of his titles/cartouches are used in this relief.

Close-Up of the Hieroglyphs.

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ β€œlord of the two lands”
π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– Rameses II (Usermaatre – throne name)

π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯ β€œlord of appearances”
π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ Rameses II (Ramessu mery-Amun – birth name)

π“ŒΊπ“©π“›π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Rameses II (Ramessu mery-Amun – birth name variant)

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Reading Hieroglyphs from the Stela of Hatshepsut

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

Today I’m going to focus on one of my favorite pieces – the Stela of Pharaoh Hatshepsut! I’m sure it comes as no surprise to many of you that this is one of my favorites! I have been obsessed with Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ since I was a kid, and getting to see this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ up close was a dream come true.

Close-up of the Stela of Hatshepsut at the Vatican Museum.

You can see two cartouches – Hatshepsut’s throne name Maatkare (𓇳𓁦𓂓) and Thutmosis III’s throne name Menkhepra (𓇳𓏠𓆣). In between the two cartouches is the phrase β€œπ“™π“‹Ήπ“‡³π“Ίπ“‡β€ which translates to β€œGiven life like Ra.”

β€œπ“™π“‹Ήπ“‡³π“Ίπ“‡β€ can also be written as β€œπ“™π“‹Ήπ“‡³π“‡β€ (the 𓏺 hieroglyph is missing). So why did the artist carve the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ this way? It’s for the aesthetics – to make the symbols line up properly and take up the right amount of space!

What’s also cool is β€œπ“™π“‹Ήπ“‡³π“Ίπ“‡β€ can be used before either of the cartouches! Usually this phrase is put before a pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– but since these symbols are non-directional they can be used either right to left or left to right. What a way to maximize space on the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ!

Fun fact: You can tell which direction to read the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on any piece based on the direction a bird is pointing! Since this bird (π“…­) is pointing to the left, the symbols would be read from left to right.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Three Golden Bracelets from the Tomb of Three Wives of Thutmosis III

These are three 𓏼 golden π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛π“ͺ /armlets π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“Ž‘π“π“…±π“₯. They were found in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of three 𓏼 minor wives 𓂑𓏏𓁐π“ͺ of Thutmosis III 𓅝𓄀𓄠𓆣. While some of the inlaid glass is missing, these bracelets 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛π“ͺ are in incredible condition. I love how the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯, red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ and gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ all looks together!

Inside the bracelets, are the titles and cartouches of Thutmosis III 𓅝𓄀𓄠𓆣. The engravings were put inside the bracelet 𓂝𓏠𓆑𓂋𓏏𓇛 so his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– would always be close to his wives 𓂑𓏏𓁐π“ͺ. I find this cool because even in modern times, it’s very also popular to have engravings with names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ or initials on the backs of rings or bracelets! It’s incredible to me how certain ideas and styles have persisted through time!

Translation time!

𓅭𓇳(𓅝𓄀𓄠𓆣)𓆖 – β€œSon of Ra, Thutmosis III*, For all Eternity (or Everlasting)”

π“„€π“ŠΉ(𓇳𓏠𓆣)𓏙𓋹 – β€œThe Great God, Menkheperra, Given Life”

*this cartouche (𓅝𓄀𓄠𓆣) is a variant of Thutmosis III’s birth name. The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is usually written as (𓅝𓄠𓋴) but this particular variant was used after Year 21 π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ί of his reign. (𓅝𓄀𓄠𓆣) translates to β€œThoth is born, beautiful of form” while the regular birth name cartouche (𓅝𓄠𓋴) translates to just β€œThoth is born.” His throne name (𓇳𓏠𓆣) Menkheperra translates to β€œLasting is the form of Ra.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Scarab Amulets of Hatshepsut

Scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are some of the most abundant items excavated in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and I love them! I think they’re cute, but they also hold a lot of meaning for the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ. Scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were symbols of regeneration and rebirth, which was one of the main aspects of the religion.

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on these two 𓏻 scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ, while at first glance may look very similar but actually mean different things!

Scarab Amulets of Hatshepsut at the MET

The scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 on the left says β€œπ“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ 𓇳𓁦𓂓” which translates to β€œLord of the two lands, Maatkare.” The scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 on the right says β€œπ“ŽŸπ“π“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ 𓇳𓁦𓂓” which translates to β€œLady of the two lands, Maatkare.” When a β€œπ“β€ glyph is added to words, it makes the word feminine.

While a very tiny difference, it is interesting because one of the misconceptions about Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ I see a lot was that she was β€œtrying to be a man” – she wasn’t trying to be a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€, she was just traditionally representing herself as pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, as all other pharaohs did. The pharaonic representations just tended to have male characteristics because most pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 were men. Most of her art contains the feminine form of titles in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, which is why I find these two 𓏻 scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ interesting. It’s not common to see her use the male form of words/titles.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Wooden Plaque with Hieroglyphs

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

This little wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 plaque was once part of a brick that was part of the foundation at the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ of Mentuhotep II π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€ at Deir el-Bahri. Mentuhotep II π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€ was pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 during the 11th Dynasty (Middle Kingdom).

Wooden Plaque with Hieroglyphs at the MET

The inscription reads: π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“…†π“‡³π“…†π“ŽŸπ“ˆΉ π“Œ»π“‡Œπ“†₯(π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€) 𓋹𓆖

Let’s break it down:
π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“…†π“‡³π“…†: Montu-Re
π“ŽŸ: Lord
π“ˆΉ: Thebes (This symbol is a combination of π“Œ€π“ŠΎπ“ˆˆ. π“Œ€= Thebes, π“ŠΎ= a divine status and π“ˆˆ = the determinative of districts)
π“Œ»π“‡Œ: Beloved (can also be written like π“Œ»π“‚‹π“‡Œ sometimes)
π“†₯: King of Upper and Lower Egypt
(π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€) Nebhapetra (Throne Name of Mentuhotep II)
𓋹𓆖: Eternal Life

So all together this inscription reads: β€œBeloved of Montu-Re, Lord of Thebes, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebhapetra, Eternal Life.”

Due to what’s called β€œhonorific transposition,” Montu-Re π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“…†π“‡³π“…† appears first in the inscription since it’s the name of a god π“ŠΉ even though beloved π“Œ»π“‡Œ is read first.

We actually do use honorific transposition in English too! We read $20 as β€œtwenty dollars” and not β€œdollars twenty.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Sketch of Osiris

While this may seem like a simple sketch of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ on limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰, I actually find it very interesting! This is easily recognizable as the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ because the lord π“ŽŸ of the underworld 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 is always depicted in the same way – as a mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾, holding the crook π“‹Ύ and flail π“Œ… , and wearing the Atef crown π“‹š. The Atef crown is the White Crown of Upper Egypt π“Œ‰π“π“‹‘ with two 𓏻 feathers 𓆄𓏏𓏭𓋛 of Ma’at π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ adorning the sides.

Sketch of Osiris at the Brooklyn Museum

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are as follows:
π“Š¨π“Ήπ“‰Όπ“‰Όπ“ŠΉ

It simply says β€œOsiris, the great god.” In this caption, Osiris is written β€œbackwards” and without the determinative π“€­ hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ. This was probably due to the fact that the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ would appear neater when written like this β€œπ“Š¨π“Ήβ€ instead of like this β€œπ“Ήπ“Š¨.”

Also, β€œgreat god” is written like this β€œπ“‰Όπ“‰Όπ“ŠΉβ€ instead of this β€œπ“‰Όπ“ŠΉ.” It was either done to take up the appropriate amount of space (aesthetics were everything, and was much more important than proper spelling/grammar πŸ˜‚) or to emphasize Osiris’ greatness. It could’ve even been for both reasons!