Month: September 2022

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The “Lotus Plant” Hieroglyph

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 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! It is a biliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œαΈ«3.”

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

𓆼𓅑𓋴𓇼𓇼𓇼 – Starry Sky

𓆼𓏏𓉐𓏭 – Office

𓐍𓆼𓄿𓏏𓁣 – Illness/Disease

𓋴𓆼𓄿𓀁 – To Remember

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: 

𓆼 – 1,000

𓆼𓆼 – 2,000

𓆼𓆼𓆼 – 3,000

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 π“ and beer π“Š, a thousand 𓆼 ox π“ƒΎ and fowl π“…Ώ, a thousand 𓆼 alabaster π“± and linen π“‹².”

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

The β€œlotus plant 𓆼” symbol can also be simply used as an ideogram for the word β€œlotus plant 𓆼𓏺.”

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Canopic Chest and Mummy of Ukhotep

This is the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 and canopic chest of a manΒ π“Šƒπ“€€π“€Β named Ukhotep π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ who lived during Dynasty 12 of the Middle Kingdom. Ukhotep π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was the chief treasurer, which is why he probably received such gorgeous π“„€ funerary equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­, such as this canopic chest that contains dedications to the Four Sons of Horus. The purpose of the canopic chest was to hold the four 𓏽 canopic jars which contained the organs 𓇋𓂧𓂋𓄹𓏦 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱.Β 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Since the directional symbols are pointing towards the right, we will start reading from the right!

𓇋π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated/Revered/Honored

𓐍𓂋 – Before

𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 – Duamutef

π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Ukhotep

π“ŽŸπ“„ͺ – Possessor of Honor

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice (Justified)

β€œHonor 𓇋π“„ͺ𓐍” is the full word while the phrase β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ Possessor of Honor” only uses the β€œspine and spinal chord π“„ͺ” symbol to write β€œHonor.” Also, β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ Possessor of Honor” can be written as β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ𓏺,” it just depends on the spacing on the object it is being inscribed on. 

As a beginner, the shortening of words can get confusing, but this is where practice comes in!Β 

These pieces are at the MET in NYC!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

A Beautiful Broad Collar

β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“…±π“­π“‡‘π“‡‘ – How Beautiful This Is!” – I feel like this is the only appropriate phrase to describe this broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ at the MET! I have used this Middle Egyptian phrase to describe broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦ in past posts too! I just think they are gorgeous π“„€ pieces of jewelry especially this one, because it is so colorful! 

In Middle Egyptian, the word for broad collar was π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ (pronounced β€œwesekh) or simply just the determinative hieroglyph 𓋝𓏺 could be used for the whole word.

The broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ was the necklace of choice by both the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦. The broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ reached peak popularity during the 18th Dynasty and this particular one was made during the reign of AkhenatenΒ π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (c. 1353–1336 B.C.E.).

Broad collars π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹π“¦ could be made of many different types of materials, including gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰, but the one shown in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is made of colorful faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό beads. The beads are each representative of a different plant π“‡π“…“𓆰! The center row has blue π“‡‹π“Ήπ“π“„Ώπ“Έπ“₯, yellow, green π“‡…𓄿𓆓𓏛, and red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ cornflowers. Then there are three rows of dates (in yellow, green π“‡…𓄿𓆓𓏛, and red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ), and the outer beads are white π“Œ‰π“†“𓇳 lotus petals. 

This broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ looks like it is in almost perfect condition, however, the beads were re-strung during modern times! 

Fun Fact: This broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ is actually from the private collection of Howard Carter! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Treasury” in Hieroglyphs

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 we are going to be looking at the word for β€œtreasury 𓉒.” I see this word pop up on False Doors a lot because people who worked in the treasury 𓉒 were wealthy enough to have a nice burial! 

The word β€œtreasury 𓉒” is written with a Composite Hieroglyph (which in this case also functions as an ideogram). A Composite Hieroglyphic symbol is a combination of multiple symbols into a single glyph. I like to think of Composite Hieroglyphs as a math equation! 

𓉐 + π“Œ‰ = π“‰’

pr + αΈ₯ḏ = prαΈ₯ḏ 

The β€œschematic house plan π“‰β€œ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œpr,” but it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œhouse 𓉐𓏺.” This symbol is commonly used as a determinative for words that have to do with buildings (tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰) or places (Duat π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“π“‰). 

The β€œmace with a round head π“Œ‰β€œ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œαΈ₯ḏ.” While I have seen it mostly used as a phonogram, this symbol can also be an ideogram for the word β€œmace π“Œ‰π“Ί.” 

What’s great about the Composite Hieroglyphs is that the two singular symbols retain their original meaning even when combined! This was a great space saving option on various objects, reliefs, etc. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouche of Seti II

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 we are going to be looking at the cartouche of Pharaoh π“‰π“‰» Seti II π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“°! Seti I π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“° and Seti II π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“° have the same birth name so we know that these cartouches belong to Seti II π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“° based on the throne name/where the object was found. 

This piece is an inlay, which means that it was once part of a larger object. Seti II π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“° (son π“…­ of Merenptah π“ŒΊπ“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“§π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“·π“Ί) ruled Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– for a couple of years towards the end of the 19th Dynasty (New Kingdom). 

Here’s the birth name:  π“£π“‡Œπ“ˆ˜π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“°

π“£π“‡Œ – Belongs to Seth

π“ˆ˜π“ˆ– – Beloved 

π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“° – Ptah 

So all together, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– reads β€œThe one who belongs to Seth, Beloved of Ptah.” This is only one of the variants of the birth name, as there are many different ways to write the cartouches of the pharaohs π“‰π“‰»π“¦! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Lung and Windpipe” Hieroglyphic Symbol

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 we are going to look more closely at the hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ symbol of β€œπ“„₯.” Many will confuse this symbol with the ever popular β€œπ“„€ nfr” as they look very similar to each other! 

The β€œlung and windpipe π“„₯” is a triliteral phonogram which would represent the sound zm3/sm3. This symbol only functions as a phonogram! 

The 3 is part of the phonetic alphabet and sounds like β€œah” – it is a good idea to learn the phonetic alphabet of you want to learn the hieroglyphic β€œsounds”.

Here are some words that have the symbol π“„₯ in them:

π“Šƒπ“Œ΄π“„₯π“…±π“„Ί – Lungs

π“„₯𓏏𓂝𓏺𓃉 – Offering (variant of π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦)

π“„₯π“„Ώπ“œ / π“Šƒπ“Œ΄π“„₯ – Unite

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Two Alabaster Monkey Vases

These are two 𓏻 alabaster vases at the MET which show a mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 monkey holding a baby monkey!

These are dated to Dynasty Six of the Old Kingdom (c. 2289–2246 B.C.E.). Archaeologists think that these vases allude to fertility because they were probably given to some of the pharaoh’s π“‰π“‰» favorite couriers during the jubilee. In the second picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, the vase on the left is inscribed with the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the pharaoh π“‰π“‰» Merenre π“‡³π“Œ»π“‚‹π“ˆ– and the vase on the right is inscribed with the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the pharaoh π“‰π“‰» Pepi I π“Šͺ𓇋π“Šͺ𓇋 (you can’t see it in my picture – sorry!).

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

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt (He of the Sedge and the Bee)

(π“‡³π“Œ»π“‚‹π“ˆ–) – Merenre

𓆖 – Eternal

π“‹Ή – Life

I’ve said this before (it’s still true), that the names of the earlier pharaohs are a great way to practice reading phonogram hieroglyphs! Let’s take a closer look at Merenre π“‡³π“Œ»π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

The symbol β€œπ“‡³ – sun” is usually seen as an ideogram for β€œRa/Re.” The symbol β€œπ“‡³ – sun” can also be a determinative for sun, day, and time. β€œRa 𓇳” is written in the cartouche first and said last due to honorific transposition.

The β€œhoe π“Œ»β€ (and it’s variants π“ŒΈ, π“ŒΊ, and π“ŒΈ) are biliteral phonograms that represent the sound β€œmr” (might have been pronounced like β€œmer”). 

The β€œ mouth – 𓂋” is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œr” and can be an ideogram for the word β€œmouth 𓂋𓏺.” 

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a phonogram sign, and it is also uniliteral sign. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

All together, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Merenre π“‡³π“Œ»π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œThe Beloved of Re” or β€œThe One Re Loves.” 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“Joy” and “Happiness”

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This inscriptionΒ π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– is a new word for all of you! While I haven’t seen it often, it’s probably a good one to know!

β€œπ“„«π“π“„£β€ is the Middle Egyptian word for β€œjoy” or β€œhappiness!” What I love about this word is that if we were going to literally translate it into English, instead of joy or happiness, it would translate directly to β€œwide heart.” How cute is that?!?! 

Let’s break down each of the symbols! 

The β€œspine and spinal cord 𓄫” symbol is a biliteral phonogram that is used to represent the sound β€œ3w.” 

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” symbol 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€œheart 𓄣” symbol is an ideogram for heart and mind that can also be used to represent the sound β€œΔ±Ν—b”. The heart π“„£ can also be used as a determinative in the word for heart π“‡‹π“ƒ€π“„£. 

So all together, the transliteration of π“„«π“π“„£ would be 3wt-Δ±Ν—b. Other variations of the word are β€œ π“„«π“π“„£π“Ί,” or β€œ π“„«π“„£π“Ί.” 

What makes my heart wide π“„«π“π“„£? Going to museums, writing out my Instagram post each day, Marvel comic books, Harry Potter, and of course listening to BTS λ°©νƒ„μ†Œλ…„λ‹¨!!!!!

Let’s all share something that makes us happy/our hearts wide π“„«π“π“„£! 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Bust of Akhenaten at the Louvre

Let’s take another look at an Amarna Period piece! This is a limestoneΒ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰Β bust of AkhenatenΒ π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–Β that is currently in the Louvre! While you all know HatshepsutΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺΒ is my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, AkhenatenΒ π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–Β is my second favorite! I always refer to AkhenatenΒ π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–Β as β€œmy favorite disaster” because I think that is quite the succinct way to describe his 17 π“Ž†π“€ year rule π“‹Ύ of EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!Β 

While it can’t be seen in my pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦, some of the paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 is still preserved on the bust! One of the places that still has traces of paint is the Blue Crown (Khepresh)Β π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™Β that AkhenatenΒ π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–Β is wearing. Also, the ears and back of the neck still have traces of paint.Β 

The Uraeus π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†— is missing from the front of the Blue Crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™, and it was probably lost in antiquity. The Uraeus π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†— symbolizes divine authority, royalty, supremacy, and also acted as protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ for the pharaoh π“‰π“‰». Fun Fact: no example of the Blue Crown (Khepresh) π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ has been found by archaeologists! 

The artistic style during Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule π“‹Ύ was very different than the traditional Egyptian art styles, which makes pieces like this bust so weird and wonderful in their own way! I will never get tired of studying Amarna art!Β 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Small Ivory Chair of Akhenaten

This tiny π“ˆ–𓆓𓋴𓅩 ivory chair π“Ž›π“Š¨π“π“†± probably held a tiny π“ˆ–𓆓𓋴𓅩 statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ at one point! This chair π“Ž›π“Š¨π“π“†± is only about 5cm in height so it is very tiny! The amount of detail that the artist was able to carve into such a small piece is incredible! 

On the back of the chair π“Ž›π“Š¨π“π“†±, Akhenaten’s nomen (birth name) and prenomen (throne name) are carved underneath the rays of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–𓇳. Let’s break down the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦! 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– – Akhenaten β€œLiving Spirit of the Aten” – this is his β€œbirth name” – though not really because Akhenaten changed his name to Akhenaten from Amenhotep IVΒ π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€!Β 

π“‡³π“„€π“†£π“‡³π“¦π“Œ‘π“ˆ– – Neferkheperrua β€œThe Beautiful One of the Manifestations of Ra” is the throne name, which was probably taken when he was still calling himself Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύ, since the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– contains β€œRa 𓇳” and not β€œAten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–𓇳.” 

𓋍 – this symbol on the back of the chair π“Ž›π“Š¨π“π“†± is a combination of many different things! Most prominently, it is thought to be representative of the lungs π“Šƒπ“Œ΄π“„₯π“…±π“„Ί and the windpipe π“„₯. The lungs π“Šƒπ“Œ΄π“„₯π“…±π“„Ί are a symbol of Upper Egypt 𓇓 and the windpipe π“„₯ was a symbol of Lower Egypt 𓆀. Just like how the lungs π“Šƒπ“Œ΄π“„₯π“…±π“„Ί and the windpipe π“„₯ need to work together in order for a person to survive, Upper 𓇓 and Lower 𓆀 Egypt needed to be unified in order for Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– to be a strong country!

The lung π“Šƒπ“Œ΄π“„₯π“…±π“„Ί and windpipe π“„₯ design 𓋍 was usually found on objects that belonged to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.

The three 𓏼 men π“Šƒπ“€€π“¦ on the side of the chair π“Ž›π“Š¨π“π“†± represent foreigners – a Libyan, an Asiatic, and a Nubian all of which are kneeling and raising their arms in a worshipping π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“€’ stance.