Category: Reading Hieroglyphs

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Wosretkau in Hieroglyphs

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

Something that makes this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Hatshepsut at the MET so unique is that her Horus name appears instead of her Throne Name (𓇳𓁦𓂓) or Birth Name (π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ)! The Horus Name appears in a Serekh which is a different enclosure from a cartouche. The Serekh consists of the Falcon Horus π“…ƒ standing on top of a palace facade π“Š.Β 

Wosretkau

I’m pointing to her Horus Name in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 – Hatshepsut’s Horus Name is β€œπ“„Šπ“‹΄π“π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – Wosretkau or Useretkau.” 

Let’s break down the meaning of her name:

π“„Šπ“‹΄π“ – Powerful, Mighty, Strong (this is the female version; male version is π“„Šπ“‹΄). 

π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – Kas (Souls) 

β€œWosretkau” translates to β€œThe Mighty of the Kas” or β€œThe Mighty of the Souls.”

Wosretkau

Let’s break down the hieroglyphic symbols π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ:

The β€œhead and neck of a jackal π“„Šβ€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œwsr” or β€œusr.” 

The β€œfolded cloth 𓋴” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œs.”

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! 

The β€œπ“‚“ two arms” symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œka,” and also functions as an ideogram for the same. The word β€œka” has been translated into our modern languages as β€œsoul.” 

I think that is such a cool name π“‚‹π“ˆ– to have! This name π“‚‹π“ˆ– has only been recorded in a couple of places, including the Stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ at the Vatican Museum, the Obelisk 𓉢 at Karnak, and on a couple of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ from Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐 (like this one at the MET). 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Amun-Ra 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 an inscription that appears on aΒ  β€œDoorjamb from a Temple of Rameses II” which is on display at the MET. Since this is from the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“, we can easily date the inscription to the 19th Dynasty! This piece is made of red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ which is both a highly durable and very beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™. The durability of the red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ has allowed the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ to stay so well preserved for so long!

Amun-Ra

Here is a breakdown of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

π“ŽŸπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Thrones

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved

All together the inscription reads β€œBeloved of Amun-Ra, Lord of the Thrones.” 

So why is the inscription written/translated the way it is? β€œAmun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ίβ€ is written first but said last due to what is called β€œhonorific transposition.” Out of respect for the god π“ŠΉ, their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is written first but said last in the sentence! In English (and other languages like Italian) we have something similar to this – we say β€œten dollars” but write it as β€œdollars ten” – $10! 

β€œLord of the Thrones π“ŽŸπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώβ€ is an epithet which is kind of like a title that is written after the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ so it both written and pronounced after the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ. 

This type of inscription commonly appears after the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· which is the oval enclosure that distinguished the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 from other hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in inscriptions. In my picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 you can even see the bottom part of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·!

When you first start learning how to read hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ it seems like a puzzle but it definitely gets so much easier with practice!Β 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs Ushabti Friends

Ushabti of Nebhor – Ushabti Friends

Let me introduce you to another one of my Ushabti Friends – the Ushabti of Nebhor π“ŽŸπ“…„!

Ushabti of Nebhor
The Ushabti of Nebhor

This is one of my absolute favorite ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ figures at the MET just because he is so adorable! This ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is dated to the 21st-22nd dynasties and is made out of blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό and has features and inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ on it that are painted π“žπ“œ with black π“†Žπ“…“ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦.

We can tell the age of this ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ just by looking at it! Let’s go through the process of narrowing down the age: 

  1. This ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is holding a hoe π“ŒΈ in each hand, which is characteristic of ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ that were made from the 18th Dynasty to the 25th Dynasty!Β 
  2. This little guy is also holding a bag on his back (I don’t have a picture of that I’m sorry), which narrows down the age from the 19th-23rd Dynasties!Β 
  3. This ushabti π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ is also wearing a headband, which is usually only found on ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ that were made from the 21st-22nd Dynasties, which is the defining characteristic and allows us to really narrow down the age!Β 

Since I can’t help myself, Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

π“Š©π“Ή – The Osiris 

π“ŽŸπ“…„ – Nebhor

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice

β€œThe Osiris π“Š©π“Ήβ€ part of the inscription means that Nebhor π“ŽŸπ“…„, through the process of mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž, becomes 𓆣 like the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Š©π“Ή who is the main god π“ŠΉ of the dead. This means that Nebhor π“ŽŸπ“…„ will live on in the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 (afterlife) just like Osiris π“Š©π“Ή has! 

β€œTrue of Voice π“™π“Š€β€ means that Nebhor π“ŽŸπ“…„ has lived a just and true life! This phrase appears quite often amongst funerary objects!

The Ushabti of Nebhor on display at the MET

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The High Ground

May the Fourth Be With You! Happy Star Wars Day everyone! Today I am going to do a Star 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼 Wars 𓂋𓆱𓂝𓏏𓏦 themed post!Β 

The High Ground

β€œI have the high ground 𓀠” is one of the most quoted lines from Star 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼 Wars 𓂋𓆱𓂝𓏏𓏦! The hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 literally means β€œhigh ground 𓀠” and looks very similar to Obi-Wan during the end fight scene on Mustafar from Revenge of the Sith! 

Whenever I see this hieroglyph in π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ inscriptionsπ“Ÿπ“›π“₯ I get very excited solely because I relate it to Star 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼 Wars 𓂋𓆱𓂝𓏏𓏦 and I absolutely love Star Wars! 

This particular hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ symbol has been named the β€œexcited man” by James Allen (but I will be calling it β€œKenobi”), and I happen to think that is a very fitting description! The β€œexcited man 𓀠” functions as both an ideogram and a determinative.

When acting as an ideogram, π“€  means β€œhigh ground.”

When acting as a determinative, π“€  can be found at the end of words such as:

π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“€  – Mourn
π“Ž›π“‚π“‚π“…±π“π“€  – Joy
π“―π“„Ώπ“ˆ™π“€  – be strong, be honored
π“‹΄π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“€  – raise, to set right
π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“€  – to be high, to be loud

These words all express strong emotions, so the β€œexcited man π“€ β€œ is definitely a symbol that summarizes the meaning of the word!

Since β€œRevenge of the Sith” is one of my absolute favorite movies, I am really quite amused by the meaning of this hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ! It is such a cool coincidence!

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Image” 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 word β€œImage 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾.” 

Image in Hieroglyphs
“Image” in sunken relief hieroglyphs

The word β€œπ“π“…±π“π“€Ύβ€ is one I use frequently in my descriptions and I always get excited when I see it appear in inscriptions! The reason I get so excited is because it was one of the first words I learned how to read in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and I remember being so proud that I knew what it meant! 

I have provided two different examples of the word – the first one is in sunken relief/carved hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ while the second is in cursive hieroglyphs! Cursive hieroglyphs is the version of hieroglyphs that would appear on handwritten papyri!Β 

Image in Hieroglyphs
“Image” in Cursive Hieroglyphs from a funerary papyrus

So what does β€œπ“π“…±π“π“€Ύβ€ mean? The word β€œπ“π“…±π“π“€Ύ,” which can also be commonly written as β€œπ“π“…±π“β€ or less commonly β€œπ“π“…±π“π“›β€ can mean Image, Likeness, Statue, Figure, and Complete. The word has a phonetic value of β€œtwt,” but is inferred to be pronounced like β€œtut.” 

Let’s break down the symbols! 

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

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

The β€œMummy Standing 𓀾” symbol is both an ideogram and a determinative! The symbol is an ideogram for β€œtwt – Statue and Likeness.” It is a determinative for β€œMummy, Statue, Likeness, and Form.” 

The reason why β€œπ“π“…±π“π“€Ύ or 𓏏𓅱𓏏” was one of the first word I learned how to read is because it appears in the cartouche of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“! Tutankhamun’s name means β€œLiving Image of Amun.” 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

This section of a papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is from the β€œFunerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht” which is dated to the Ramesside Period (New Kingdom c. 1320–1200 B.C.E.). Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 was the tax master π“ˆ™π“π“΄π“‚‘ (I’m sure he was popular) and this high position is what allowed him to have such a gorgeous funerary papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛!

This entire papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is composed of what has been called Chapter 168 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺, otherwise known as the “Chapter of Offerings.” However, most of the time this text is found alone and not with other parts of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 (as is the case with this papyrus) and is considered now to be its own text and not necessarily a part of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. 

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

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht
A section of the “Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht”

The two sections of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ point in two different directions; the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ above the Falcon headed god Osiris-Wennefer π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹ point to the right while the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ above Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 point to the left. We are going to start with the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ above Osiris-Wennefer π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹.Β 

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Here is the text all together: π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“„π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ

Here are the individual phrases broken down:

π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– – Words Spoken By 

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹ – Osiris Wennefer

𓏄 – Foremost

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Here is the translation: β€œWords Spoken By Osiris-Wennefer, Foremost of the West.” This is a super common introduction for a god in a funerary text. It also lets you know who is depicted in the images!Β 

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Before we read the next section of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, let’s take a look at some of the art! On his shoulder, Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 is holding the goddess Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ while he is holding up his other hand in adoration of the god Osiris-Wennefer π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹. Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ is the goddess of truth π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„ and justice π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„π“œ and we know it’s her because of the feather 𓆄 that’s on her head!Β 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! We are going to be reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that are above Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽. These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ point to the left so we will start reading them from the left!Β 

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Here is the text all together: π“π“‡Όπ“€’π“ˆ–π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“„π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠπ“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“‰»π“‚π“›π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“π“΄π“‚‘π“„“π“‰π“€π“ƒ©π“π“‚‘π“€½

Here are the individual phrases broken down:

𓏏𓇼𓀒 – Praise/Worship (should actually be written as β€œπ“‡Όπ“π“€’β€)

π“ˆ– – of

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

𓏄 – Foremost

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – The Osiris

𓉻𓂝𓏛 – Great

π“ˆ– – the/of

π“ˆ™π“π“΄π“‚‘ – Tax Master 

𓄓𓉐𓏀 – Overseer

𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 – Sethnakht

Here is the translation: β€œPraise for Osiris, Foremost of the West, the Osiris, the Great Tax Master, the Overseer Sethnakht.” 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Scribal Palette Translation

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at a piece titled β€œModel of a Scribe’s Palette Inscribed for Amenhotep.”

Scribal Palette

While this was not a scribal palette π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž that was used during this person’s life, it is dated to the 18th Dynasty reign of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹†. Since Amenhotep was a popular name π“‚‹π“ˆ– at the time, many people including pharaohs, shared this name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! This piece is made of the chemical sedimentary rock travertine, which is more commonly known as alabaster 𓍱!Β 

We are going to be translating the right side of the scribal palette π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž first! Also if you are new here, please know that I do all of the translations myself!Β 

Here is the full inscription on the right side: π“‡“π“™π“Š΅π“π“Šͺπ“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“…π“ˆ–π“π“­π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠπ“ŠΉπ“‰Όπ“ŽŸπ“‚‹π“€π“¬π“¦π“ˆ‰π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ π“π“‚‹π“Œπ“π“‡― π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“Š©π“Ήπ“‡“π“žπ“„“π“‰π“€π“€—π“π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“‰΄π“Š–π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺπ“€Ό

Scribal Palette

π“‡“π“™π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – An Offering the King Gives

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

π“…π“ˆ–π“π“­ – Foremost of

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

π“ŠΉπ“‰Ό – The Great God

π“ŽŸ – Lord of

π“‚‹π“€π“¬π“¦π“ˆ‰ – Rosetau

π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated

Scribal Palette

𓐍𓂋 – Before 

π“Œπ“π“‡― – Nut

π“„Ÿπ“‹΄ – Child of, Born of

π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ – Gods

π“Š©π“Ή – The Osiris

π“‡“π“ž – King’s Scribe / Royal Scribe / King’s Secretary

𓄓𓉐𓏀𓀗 – Overseer

𓐝 – of

π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“‰΄π“Š– – Memphis

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺπ“€Ό – Amenhotep 

The full inscription reads: β€œAn Offering the King Gives Osiris, Foremost of the West, the Great God, Lord of Rosetau, Venerated before Nut, Born of the Gods, The Osiris, the Royal Scribe, Overseer of Memphis, Amenhotep.” 

It is very interesting to see both forms of the god Osiris’ name in the same inscription (π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and π“Ήπ“Š©). This is done because the second variation of the name in the inscription indicates that the deceased person (Amenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺπ“€Ό) has become β€œThe Osiris π“Ήπ“Š©β€ in death and has been reborn in the netherworld. This is ver common in funerary texts, and both men and women would be referred to as β€œThe Osiris π“Ήπ“Š©.”

We are going to be translating the left side of the scribal palette π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž now!

Here is the full inscription: 

π“‡“π“™π“Š΅π“π“Šͺπ“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ŽŸπ“Š½π“Š½π“Š–π“‹Ύπ“Š΅π“›π“‹π“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š–π“ˆ–π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ π“π“‚‹π“‰‘π“ŽŸπ“π“ˆ–π“‰”π“π“†­π“ŽΊπ“π“ˆπ“π“ˆ‰π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠπ“Š©π“Ήπ“‡“π“žπ“„“π“‰π“€π“€—π“π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“‰΄π“Š–π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺπ“€Ό

Scribal Palette

π“‡“π“™π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – An Offering the King Gives

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

π“ŽŸ – Lord of

π“Š½π“Š½π“Š– – Djedu

π“‹Ύ – Ruler

π“Š΅π“› – Peace/Grace 

π“‹π“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š– – Abydos

π“ˆ– – in/by

π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated

Scribal Palette

𓐍𓂋 – Before 

𓉑 – Hathor

π“ŽŸπ“ – Lady 

π“ˆ–π“‰”π“π“†­ – Sycamore

π“ŽΊπ“ – Mistress

π“ˆπ“π“ˆ‰ – Roads of Horus/Desert Road

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

π“Š©π“Ή- The Osiris

Scribal Palette
Screenshot

π“‡“π“ž – King’s Scribe / Royal Scribe / King’s Secretary

𓄓𓉐𓏀𓀗 – Overseer

𓐝 – of

π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“‰΄π“Š– – Memphis

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺπ“€Ό – Amenhotep 

The full inscription reads: β€œAn Offering the King Gives Osiris, Ruler of Peace in Abydos, Venerated before Hathor, Lady of the Sycamore, Mistress of the West Roads of Horus (?), The Osiris, the Royal Scribe, Overseer of Memphis, Amenhotep.”

This side of the scribal palette π“ π“ˆ–π“‰”π“†“π“ž gave me a tiny bit of trouble for three reasons:

  1. The phrase β€œRuler π“‹Ύ of Peace π“Š΅π“›β€ is an iffy translation for me and I don’t know if it’s one word or two or something totally different!Β 
  2. This variant of β€œAbydos π“‹π“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š–β€ is one I do not see a lot at all and I had to look it up! Usually Abydos is written as β€œπ“‹π“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š–β€ and while the one symbol difference may not seem like a big difference sometimes it can be! At quick glance it looked like β€œEast π“‹π“ƒ€π“π“ˆ‰β€
  3. After β€œMistress π“ŽΊπ“β€ the hieroglyphs are very hard to read and I am totally guessing here! Upon first glance it looked like β€œDesert π“ˆ‰ Road π“ˆπ“β€ which does not sound right to me?! I had to consult my trusty dictionary and the phrase β€œRoads of Horus π“…ƒπ“ˆπ“π“π“ˆ‰β€ was there and it looks like it could be a variant of that too. The second one is probably more accurate due to the association between Hathor and Horus.Β 

I guess this was a glance into my thought process! It goes to show that no matter how much you study or learn, translating hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ will always present fun and unique challenges! I’m posting my thoughts and challenges with the text to show that everyone goes through this while translating and if you’re learning now and struggling it’s okay!Β 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep (Part 2)

Here is the second small papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 which belonged to a man named Amenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ (not the pharaoh). You should also check out Part 1 which goes into more depth on a different papyrus of Amenhotep!

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep
The Book of the Dead of Amenhotep on display at the MET.

This small section of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 has Chapter 78 written in Cursive Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. This chapter is about how the deceased can β€œtake the form of a divine Falcon.” The gods Osiris and Horus appear in this spell, and it even involves a mythological figure called β€œThe Double Lion.” 

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

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep
A closeup of the Book of the Dead of Amenhotep which shows a mummy figure of Amenhotep (left) and a Falcon (right).

Next to the Falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ you can see the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ which I think are: π“†£π“‚‹π“…“π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ŠΉπ“‚‹π“» (sometimes the cursive hieroglyphs are difficult to read – I did my best).Β 

β€œπ“†£π“‚‹β€ means β€œto exist, to be, to change into” and β€œπ“ŠΉπ“‚‹β€ means β€œdivine.” While the other symbols are a little difficult to read, I can assume it’s one of the variants for the word β€œFalcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„β€ since I can see what I think is the beginning of the word β€œπ“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘.” So all together this text most likely reads: β€œTo Change Into the Divine Falcon.” 

π“†£π“‚‹π“…“π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ŠΉπ“‚‹π“» or “To Change Into the Divine Falcon” is the name of Chapter 78 which is what the rest of this papyrus shows! It’s amazing how the ancient Egyptians wrote titles for their “chapters” (using “chapters” or “numbers” to describe the Book of the Dead is a modern designation and was not used during ancient times).

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œAmenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” means β€œAmun is Satisfied” and is a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– known by people who love ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– because there were many pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 who had the birth name of β€œAmenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ.” I didn’t notice it until I zoomed in on the papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛, but the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–β€œAmenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” appears in the top left corner next to the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 looking figure! I love how the ancient Egyptians captioned everything – if you can read hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ it makes everything so much easier! 

Let’s break down the meaning of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun 

π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – htp (Satisfied, Peace) 

If you want a lot of information about the Book of the Dead, I suggest looking at UCL’s website – it’s what I use to reference the chapter numbers!

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

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Nectanbo the Falcon

This piece is named β€œGod Horus Protecting King Nectanbo II.” Nectanbo II π“žπ“©π“‹΄π“‡›π“„£π“Ίπ“‰π“ˆ– was the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the short lived 30th Dynasty and he made himself the focus of a religious cult called β€œNectanbo the Falcon,” which was a merging of himself with the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ was the god π“ŠΉ of kingship!Β 

Nectanbo the Falcon
Me with Nectanbo the Falcon!

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

There’s a small inscription at the base of the statue, and the inscription is a mirrored one – this means you start in the middle and read Middle to left or middle to right depending on the direction of the symbols! The β€œπ“‹Ήβ€ is the middle so that is where we are going to start!Β 

Nectanbo the Falcon
A closeup of the hieroglyphs at the base of the statue.

Middle to Left:

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt 

π“žπ“©π“‹΄π“‡›π“„£π“Ίπ“‰π“ˆ– – Nectanbo II β€œPleasing to the Heart of Ra, Chosen of Amun” (throne name)

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹- Osiris Mnevis

π“Œ» – Beloved

Middle to Right:Β 

π“‹Ή – Life

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“₯Xπ“†‡π“ˆ˜π“‚‘π“…ƒπ“Ž³π“π“Š– – Nectanbo II β€œNakht Hor Hebit” (birth name) [the X is a symbol I don’t have]

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» – Osiris Mnevis

Interesting Interpretation of the Hieroglyphs:

What’s interesting about this inscription is that I can’t tell if it’s supposed to be β€œπ“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» Osiris Mnevis” or β€œBeloved of Osiris Mnevis” with β€œπ“Œ»β€ being β€œbeloved.” To me it makes more sense if it is  β€œBeloved of Osiris Mnevis,” but I translated it both ways! 

Osiris Mnevis π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» is a combination of the gods Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉ and Mnevis π“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ». Mnevis 𓉕𓅨𓂋.  Mnevis 𓉕𓅨𓂋 was one of the Bull gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in ancient Egypt. 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

One Thousand in Hieroglyphs!

Happy 1,000 𓆼 Posts to my Instagram @ancientegyptblog ! To celebrate this momentous occasion, let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the β€œlotus plant 𓆼” symbol! The β€œlotus plant 𓆼” has many functions in Middle Egyptian and it is a symbol you will see a lot!

One Thousand in Hieroglyphs
The “Lotus Plant” symbol which is used to write the number one thousand in hieroglyphs!

The most common way you will see the β€œlotus plant 𓆼” symbol used is when it is used as an ideogram to represent the number β€œone thousand 𓆼.”

For example:Β 

𓆼 – 1,000

𓆼𓆼 – 2,000

𓆼𓆼𓆼 – 3,000

One Thousand in Hieroglyphs
How many times do you see “one thousand” written in the inscription above? Read to the bottom of the post to see the answer!

Used in a sentence (the Offering Formula), it looks like this:

π“‰“π“†Όπ“π“Šπ“†Όπ“ƒΎπ“…Ώπ“†Όπ“±π“‹²

β€œ A voice offering 𓉓 (of) a thousand 𓆼 bread 𓏐 and beer π“Š, a thousand 𓆼 ox 𓃾 and fowl π“…Ώ, a thousand 𓆼 alabaster 𓍱 and linen π“‹².”

The Offering Formula on stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“¦ and False Doors will be the most common way you will see this symbol in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! 

The β€œlotus plant 𓆼” is a biliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œαΈ«3.” The β€œlotus plant 𓆼” symbol can also be simply used as an ideogram for the word β€œlotus plant 𓆼𓏺.”

Some words that can be written with the β€œlotus plant 𓆼” are:

𓆼𓅑𓋴𓇼𓇼𓇼 – Starry Sky

𓆼𓏏𓉐𓏭 – Office

𓐍𓆼𓄿𓏏𓁣 – Illness/Disease

𓋴𓆼𓄿𓀁 – To Remember

I cannot believe it’s been almost four 𓏽 years since I stated this account, let alone the fact that I have written 1,000 𓆼 posts about ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! That’s a lot of β€œLet’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ,” mythology, art, pharaohs, and talking about my Nonno!

Pharaoh Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 was buried with over 1,000 𓆼 ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ so now I have as many posts as Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 had ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ!

The answer to the question above is: four times!

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

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