Alternate Hieroglyphic Spelling of “Duamutef”

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!

Today 𓏇𓇋𓈖𓇳 we are going to be looking at an alternate spelling for the name 𓂋𓈖 of the god 𓊹 Duamutef 𓇼𓂟𓏏𓆑! Usually, Duamutef is written as “𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑,” however, “𓇼𓂟𓏏𓆑” is an alternate spelling for his name 𓂋𓈖! While it is only a one symbol difference, that could confuse people who are just learning which is why I wanted to talk about it! Most of the deities in the Egyptian pantheon had multiple ways that their names 𓂋𓈖𓏦 written in inscriptions 𓏟𓏛𓏥! Another less common way to write Duamutef’s name is “𓂧𓍯𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑,” but I have rarely seen that spelling used! 

Let’s take a look at Duamutef’s 𓇼𓂟𓏏𓆑 name 𓂋𓈖 in hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! All of the symbols in Duamutef’s 𓇼𓂟𓏏𓆑 name 𓂋𓈖 are phonogram symbols, which means that they represent sounds! 

The “star 𓇼”  functions as a triliteral phonogram for the sound “dw3” (almost like “dua”). Triliteral means that the symbol represents three consonants! In other words, it can also function as a determinative or ideogram. 

The “forearm with bread 𓂟“ symbol could either function as a uniliteral or biliteral phonogram depending ok the word! 𓂟 represented the sounds “m” or “mj.” The “forearm with bread 𓂟” could also be a determinative in the word for “give 𓂋𓂟.”

The “flat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound “t.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word “bread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine! 

The “horned viper 𓆑” functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound “f.” In other words, it can function as a determinative. 

So Duamutef’s 𓇼𓂟𓏏𓆑 name 𓂋𓈖 in hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪 is something like “duamwttf” – which is very similar to “Duamutef!” Most of the major deities have Greek names 𓂋𓈖𓏦 that we use to identify them, instead of their actual Egyptian name 𓂋𓈖. For example, “Anubis” is a Greek name – “Inpu” is what the ancient Egyptians would have called Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣!