This image ππ ±π of Ptah πͺπππ± s from the Book of the Dead of Imhotep (Early Ptolemaic Period) at the MET! This particular Book of the Dead is incredible because it is one of the most complete ones I have ever seen! Even though it is only in black ππ or red π§πππ ink and not in full color like some other versions, it is still so beautiful π€ to look at and I am always mesmerized by the details!
One thing that is very obvious about hieroglyphs πΉππͺ is that the symbols look like pictures ππ ±ππ¦! In art from the pre-dynastic and early dynastic periods, sometimes it is difficult to tell where the art ends and the hieroglyphs πΉππͺ begin!
I really liked this drawing of the god πΉ Ptah πͺπππ± because it looked like the determinative that appears after his name ππ when it is written in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
Here are some of the variations of Ptahβs name ππ:
πͺπππ±
πͺπππ
πͺπππ°
πͺππ
As you can see, the three phonogram symbols β πͺππβ remain the same, it is just the determinative that changes! Once you know the phonogram symbols, his name ππ is easy to spot because it doesnβt change! I personally love the determinative of Ptah in the shrine (π±) – just like what is shown on the papyrus π πππ!