Words Spoken By Duamutef

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Today we are going to look at the following inscription: “𓆓𓌃𓇋𓈖𓇼𓂟𓏏𓆑 – Words Spoken By Duamutef” which is painted on a sarcophagus 𓎟𓋹𓈖𓐍𓊭 that is dated to the Middle Kingdom. One of my favorite things about this sarcophagus 𓎟𓋹𓈖𓐍𓊭 is the bright colors! It’s always incredible how beautiful and bright the colors are even after thousands of years!

“ 𓆓𓌃𓇋𓈖” is a really popular introduction to an inscription 𓎘𓅱𓎖 and it translates to “Words spoken by… 𓆓𓌃𓇋𓈖.” “𓆓𓌃𓇋𓈖” is usually followed by the name 𓂋𓈖 of a god 𓊹 or goddess 𓊹𓏏. 

The “cobra 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 “ḏ” which would almost sound like a “j” when pronounced. 

The “staff or walking stick 𓌃” functions as both a phonogram (in this phrase) and as an ideogram (for the word “ staff 𓌃𓏺”). 𓌃 is a triliteral phonogram symbol and represents the three consonant sound “mdw.”

The “reed 𓇋” is a uniliteral phonogram for “ı͗,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word “reed 𓇋𓏺.” 

The “ripple of water 𓈖” is also a uniliteral phonogram. The “𓈖” is associated with the sound of “n!” 

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 also phonograms! 

The “star 𓇼”  functions as a triliteral phonogram for the sound “dw3” (almost like “dua”). In other words, 𓇼 can also function as a determinative or ideogram. 

The “forearm with bread 𓂟“ symbol could either function as a uniliteral or biliteral phonogram depending on 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!”

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblog