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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Words Spoken By” in Hieroglyphs

Let’s learn some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!!! Here we see an inscription with the symbols β€œ π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–.” This is a really popular introduction to an inscription and it translates to β€œWords spoken by… π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–.” β€œπ“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–β€ is usually followed by the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ or goddess π“ŠΉπ“.

The β€œcobra 𓆓” is a phonogram, which means that it is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word! The cobra 𓆓 is a uniliteral sign, so it represents just one consonant. It represents the sound β€œαΈβ€ which would almost sound like a β€œj” when pronounced.

The β€œstaff or walking stick π“Œƒβ€ functions as both a phonogram (in this phrase) and as an ideogram (for the word β€œ staff π“Œƒπ“Ίβ€). π“Œƒ is a triliteral phonogram symbol and represents the sound β€œmdw.”

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!”

The β€œreed 𓇋” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œΔ±Ν—,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œreed 𓇋𓏺.”

When put together, π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– reads like β€œαΈd mdw Δ±Ν—n.” The word π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–, means β€œwords spoken by…” or β€œspeech by…”

Somewhat off-topic, but you probably recognize β€œπ“Œƒβ€ from the word for hieroglyphs (π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ)! β€œHieroglyphs” can translate to β€œgod’s speech” –
π“ŠΉ – God
π“Œƒ – Speech/Speak
π“ͺ – makes the word plural