Letβs read some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
Today ππππ³ we are going to be looking at the βduck π β symbol! The βduck π β is biliteral phonogram and is thought to have the sound of βz3β (like βzaeβ). Although it is not technically classified as an ideogram, the βduck π βdefinitely functions like one as the word for βson.β
In most inscriptions πππ₯, seeing the βduck π β symbol by itself (like in the inscription πππ₯ in the picture ππ ±π), it will translate to the word βson.β However, in βproperβ grammar, the word for son actually is written as: π π! So the βduck π β functions as the phonogram, while the βman πβ functions as the determinative! Grammar rules aside, Iβm going to be honest, Iβve never seen son written as βπ πβ in a royal inscription!
If you add a βπ,β the word βson π β becomes βdaughter π π!β βDaughterβ can be written with the determinative at the end too β π ππ,β but you will rarely see it.
Here are some ways that the βduck π β can be used:
ππ – Son of the King (prince)
ππ π – Daughter of the King (princess)
The most common way you will see this symbol is in the Royal Titles:
π π³ – Son of Ra
π ππ³ – Daughter of Ra