This limestone ππππ sculpture of the goddess πΉπ Hathor π‘ is one of my favorite pieces that I saw in the Louvre. This piece is dated to the Ptolemaic Period, and used to be part of a column.
Hathorβs π‘ name ππ in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ is quite unique compared to some of the other gods/goddesses. Her name ππ is composed of a composite hieroglyph πΉπ which literally translates to βHouse of Horus.β Hathor π‘ was the goddess πΉπ of women ππππππͺ, motherhood, joy, music πππΈ, happiness π«π ±π, and a goddess πΉπ of the afterlife πΌπΏππ.
One detail that I love about this piece is that Hathor π‘ is shown with her cow ears! Hathor π‘ was usually depicted in Egyptian art as either a woman πππππ or a cow π€ππππ, so this little detail is just so cool! Another detail that I love is how her wig is decorated with rosettes! The details are in raised relief, which only make them stand out more.
In Middle Egyptian, the words βbeautiful womanβ and βcowβ were the same – the only thing that was different was the determinative symbol! This was most likely due to an association with Hathor π‘, and to this day remains one of my favorite βfun factsβ about hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
π€ππππ (beautiful woman)
π€ππππ (cow)