Tag: hieroglyphs

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphic Offering Vessel

This is a β€œHieroglyphic Offering Vessel” that is dated to c. 3,000 B.C.E.! For some context, the unification of EgyptΒ π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–Β took place c.Β 3,100 B.C.E., and this period was known as the Early Dynastic Period.Β 

In Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, especially during this time period, the distinction between art and writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ was almost interchangeable – so much so that sometimes it is hard to tell if images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 are hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, drawings or even both! 

This Offering Vessel is a combination of two 𓏻 hieroglyphic symbols π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: the ankh π“‹Ή and the ka π“‚“. So, let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

The β€œAnkh,” is a triliteral phonogram that has the sound β€œΛnḫ” which would sound like β€œankh.” Although it can be an ideogram for β€œsandal strap” and β€œmirror,” the β€œsandal strap π“‹Ήβ€ is much more commonly seen as the word for β€œLife.” 

The β€œtwo arms 𓂓” symbol is a biliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œk3,” which would be pronounced like β€œka.” This is the symbol for the word β€œsoul.” The ka π“‚“ was the soul or life force of a person. 

So how do life π“‹Ή, soul π“‚“ and this Offering Vessel all connect to each other? Together π“ˆ–π“Š—, the life π“‹Ή and soul π“‚“ form an essential relationship between the living π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“ and the dead π“…“𓏏𓏱. Even if the person is dead, the ka π“‚“ still requires nourishment in the form of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ and drink. This Offering Vessel allows the ka π“‚“ to receive water π“ˆ—, so it can continue to live on. 

Essentially, the vessel allows for the ka π“‚“ to continue to receive offerings π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 so it can continue to be sustained! It’s always amazing to me how Egyptian funerary beliefs didn’t really change over time, they just continued to evolve, for example, into False Doors and Offering Tables π“‚π“ƒ€π“…‘𓄿𓋃π“ͺ! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Life, Stability, and Strength” in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 we are going to be looking at a popular inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! This inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ is on an ostracon, which is basically either a broken piece of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ (in this case), pottery π“ π“ˆ–𓇋𓏋, a rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™, etc. that was used for drawing/writing practice π“‹΄π“…“π“„§π“œ. You can definitely tell that this was practice π“‹΄π“…“π“„§π“œ because you can still see the red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ grid lines on the limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰! The grid lines were really important because it allowed the artist to draw out the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ evenly, so everything was the same size!

I have definitely spoken about this phrase before, but let’s take a closer look! 

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“Š½ – Stability 

π“Œ€ – Strength 

The β€œsandal strap π“‹Ήβ€ more commonly known as the β€œAnkh,” is a triliteral phonogram that has the sound β€œΛnḫ” which would sound like β€œankh.” Should it can be an ideogram for β€œsandal strap” and β€œmirror,” the β€œsandal strap π“‹Ήβ€ is much more commonly seen as the word for β€œLife.” 

The β€œreed column π“Š½β€ more commonly known as the β€œDjed Pillar” is a biliteral phonogram that has the sound β€œαΈd” which sounds like β€œDjed.” It also functions as an ideogram for β€œStability,” like in the inscription above. The Djed Pillar π“Š½ is thought to represent the spine of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. 

The β€œanimal headed staff π“Œ€β€ is a triliteral phonogram that represents the sounds β€œw3s,” which would probably be pronounced like β€œwas.” The symbol functions as an ideogram for the word β€œstaff,” but most of the time, you will see it represent the word β€œStrength.” 

This common phrase β€œπ“‹Ήπ“Š½π“Œ€β€ is seen everywhere, and a lot of the times appears as β€œπ“™π“‹Ήπ“Š½π“Œ€ – Given Life, Stability and Strength” or β€œπ“™π“‹Ήπ“Š½π“Œ€π“†– – Given Life, Stability and Strength for Eternity.” This phrase was so popular because it held a lot of meaning in ancient Egyptian culture/religion! This phrase is almost like a blessing, ensuring that the person being spoken about in the inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ is all of these qualities! This phrase can be used with both the living π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–𓐍 and the dead π“…“𓏏𓏱!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“May He Be Foremost…” in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 we are going to be looking at an inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ from a Middle Kingdom relief from the reign π“‹Ύ of the pharaoh π“‰π“‰» Montuhotep II π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ (c. 2010-2000 B.C.E.). 

The inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ reads: π“ƒΊπ“ˆ–π“†‘π“…. Let’s break this down! 

π“ƒΊπ“ˆ– – Be (could also mean β€œExist”) (sounds like β€œwn”)

𓆑 – He (sounds like β€œf”)

𓏅 – Foremost (could also be β€œIn Front Of”)  (sounds like αΈ«nt)

So the translation of π“ƒΊπ“ˆ–𓆑𓏅 would be β€œMay He Be Foremost…” or β€œMay He Be In Front Of.” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a deity π“ŠΉ or other religious figure (such as soul π“‚“) would usually follow, but that part of the relief is cut off! 

By itself, the word β€œπ“ƒΊπ“ˆ–π“†‘β€ can actually mean β€œto be glad” or β€œto be happy” – the last symbol at the end changes the meaning of the phrase! 

The word β€œforemost π“…” can also be written as β€œπ“„‚π“β€ – β€œπ“„‚𓏏” can also be translated as β€œbest.” 

Just like any language, in Middle Egyptian there can be two different ways to write/say the same word or one single word can have multiple meanings!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“A Voice Offering” in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

“A Voice Offering” in Hieroglyphs

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 we are going to be looking at the composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ  β€œπ“‰“.” As a reminder, a composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ is a single symbol that is actually a combination of multiple symbols! 

While a lot of the composite hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are combinations of two 𓏻 symbols, β€œπ“‰“β€ is actually a combination of four 𓏽 symbols! I like to think of composite hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ as a math equation: 

𓉓 = 𓉐 + π“Š€ + 𓏑 + π“Š

Here is the modern name designated to each of the symbols that are part of 𓉓:

𓉐 – house plan 

π“Š€ – oar 

𓏑 – bread 

π“Š – beer jug

In terms of meaning, β€œπ“‰“β€ is an ideogram (a single symbol that takes on the meaning of a full word) for the phrase β€œinvocation offering or voice offering” and is a part of the standard offering formula that is seen on stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“ͺ, false doors, sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ/coffins π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±π“¦ and other funerary equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­. 

𓉓 would be pronounced like β€œprt-αΈ«rw.” 𓉓 Is definitely a great symbol to recognize because it is very common!!!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The “Duck” Hieroglyph

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 we are going to be looking at the β€œduck 𓅭” symbol! The β€œduck 𓅭” is biliteral phonogram and is thought to have the sound of β€œz3” (like β€œzae”). Although it is not technically classified as an ideogram, the β€œduck 𓅭”definitely functions like one as the word for β€œson.”

In most inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, seeing the β€œduck 𓅭” symbol by itself (like in the inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏), it will translate to the word β€œson.” However, in β€œproper” grammar, the word for son actually is written as: π“…­π“€€! So the β€œduck 𓅭” functions as the phonogram, while the β€œman π“€€β€œ functions as the determinative! Grammar rules aside, I’m going to be honest, I’ve never seen son written as β€œπ“…­π“€€β€œ in a royal inscription! 

If you add a β€œπ“,” the word β€œson 𓅭” becomes β€œdaughter 𓅭𓏏!” ”Daughter” can be written with the determinative at the end too β€œ 𓅭𓏏𓁐,” but you will rarely see it. 

Here are some ways that the β€œduck 𓅭” can be used: 

𓇓𓅭 – Son of the King (prince) 

𓇓𓅭𓏏 – Daughter of the King (princess)

The most common way you will see this symbol is in the Royal Titles: 

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

𓅭𓏏𓇳 – Daughter of Ra

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Coffin of Wah at the MET

Let’s take a look at the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± of a man named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Wah, who lived during the early reign π“‹Ύ of the pharaoh π“‰π“‰» Amenemhat I π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–𓅓𓄂𓏏(12th Dynasty/Middle Kingdom). 

In the first picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 you can see a dedication to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, which is better known as the β€œOffering Formula.” If you want to learn one 𓏺 phrase in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, learn this one!!! It is everywhere!!Β 

Here is the full inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯: π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŽŸπ“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š–. Let’s break down the offering formula because we haven’t done so in a while. Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ – An Offering the King Gives

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris (his name is missing the determinative this time – usually it’s written as π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­)

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

π“Š½π“‚§π“Š– – Djedu (usually written as π“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š–)

So all together π“ˆ–π“Š—, this inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ reads: β€œAn Offering the King gives Osiris, Lord of Djedu.” Djedu π“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š– refers to the birthplace of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. 

The eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 on this side of the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± would allow the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 to see outside of it! Inside the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±, the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 would usually be laid on his side so his eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 matched up with the eyes on the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±! This was very typical of Middle Kingdom burial practices π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­, and it was something my Nonno would always point out to me when we were in a museum! 

As a kidΒ π“π“‡Œπ“€•Β (and even now as an adult) I found this practice absolutely fascinating! Now every time I am in a museum, I tell the story to someone about the eyes 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾, just like my Nonno told me!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Inscription from the False Door of Mery at the MET

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

This inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ comes from the false door of a man named Mery (4th Dynasty/Old Kingdom), however the inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ is about his wife π“‚‘𓏏𓁐 Niankhwadjet π“ˆ–π“‡…π“π“‹Ή. 

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 we are going to be looking at a different type of title! A title is a phrase that usually appears before someone’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. A title is basically a summary of the person! I’ve only really talked about royal titles before, but today let’s look at a non-royal title! 

Right Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ Column:

𓇓𓂋𓐍𓏏 – King’s Acquaintance (literally β€œKing’s 𓇓 Knowledge 𓂋𓐍𓏏(π“œ)”)

𓉑 – Hathor

π“ŠΉπ“› – Priest [Priestess in this case] (literally β€œGod’s Servant”) 

All together, this inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ would read β€œThe King’s Acquaintance, Priestess of Hathor…” The title β€œKing’s Acquaintance π“‡“π“‚‹π“π“β€œ is taken to mean that the person was close to the pharaoh π“‰π“‰»! 

Left Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ Column: 

π“ŽŸ – Possessor

π“Œ³π“π“„ͺ – Reverence

π“ˆ–π“‡…π“π“‹Ή – Niankhwadjet

β€œPossessor of Reverence, Niankhwadjet.”

Let’s put it all together! 

π“‡“π“‚‹π“π“π“‰‘π“ŠΉπ“›π“ŽŸπ“Œ³π“π“„ͺπ“ˆ–π“‡…π“π“‹Ή

β€œThe King’s Acquaintance, Priestess of Hathor, Possessor of Reverence, Niankhwadjet.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The “Lotus Plant” Hieroglyph

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 we are going to be looking at the β€œlotus plant 𓆼” symbol! The β€œlotus plant 𓆼” has many functions in Middle Egyptian and it is a symbol you will see a lot! It is a biliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œαΈ«3.”

Some words that can be written with the β€œlotus plant 𓆼” are:

𓆼𓅑𓋴𓇼𓇼𓇼 – Starry Sky

𓆼𓏏𓉐𓏭 – Office

𓐍𓆼𓄿𓏏𓁣 – Illness/Disease

𓋴𓆼𓄿𓀁 – To Remember

The most common way you will see the β€œlotus plant 𓆼” symbol used is when it is used as an ideogram to represent the number β€œone thousand 𓆼.” For example: 

𓆼 – 1,000

𓆼𓆼 – 2,000

𓆼𓆼𓆼 – 3,000

Used in a sentence (the Offering Formula), it looks like this:

π“‰“π“†Όπ“π“Šπ“†Όπ“ƒΎπ“…Ώπ“†Όπ“±π“‹²

β€œ A voice offering 𓉓 (of) a thousand 𓆼 bread π“ and beer π“Š, a thousand 𓆼 ox π“ƒΎ and fowl π“…Ώ, a thousand 𓆼 alabaster π“± and linen π“‹².”

The Offering Formula on stelae π“Ž—𓅱𓆓𓉸𓏦 and False Doors will be the most common way you will see this symbol in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! 

The β€œlotus plant 𓆼” symbol can also be simply used as an ideogram for the word β€œlotus plant 𓆼𓏺.”

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Canopic Chest and Mummy of Ukhotep

This is the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 and canopic chest of a manΒ π“Šƒπ“€€π“€Β named Ukhotep π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ who lived during Dynasty 12 of the Middle Kingdom. Ukhotep π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was the chief treasurer, which is why he probably received such gorgeous π“„€ funerary equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­, such as this canopic chest that contains dedications to the Four Sons of Horus. The purpose of the canopic chest was to hold the four 𓏽 canopic jars which contained the organs 𓇋𓂧𓂋𓄹𓏦 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱.Β 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Since the directional symbols are pointing towards the right, we will start reading from the right!

𓇋π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ – Venerated/Revered/Honored

𓐍𓂋 – Before

𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 – Duamutef

π“‹‚π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Ukhotep

π“ŽŸπ“„ͺ – Possessor of Honor

π“™π“Š€ – True of Voice (Justified)

β€œHonor 𓇋π“„ͺ𓐍” is the full word while the phrase β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ Possessor of Honor” only uses the β€œspine and spinal chord π“„ͺ” symbol to write β€œHonor.” Also, β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ Possessor of Honor” can be written as β€œπ“ŽŸπ“„ͺ𓏺,” it just depends on the spacing on the object it is being inscribed on. 

As a beginner, the shortening of words can get confusing, but this is where practice comes in!Β 

These pieces are at the MET in NYC!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Treasury” in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–𓇳 we are going to be looking at the word for β€œtreasury 𓉒.” I see this word pop up on False Doors a lot because people who worked in the treasury 𓉒 were wealthy enough to have a nice burial! 

The word β€œtreasury 𓉒” is written with a Composite Hieroglyph (which in this case also functions as an ideogram). A Composite Hieroglyphic symbol is a combination of multiple symbols into a single glyph. I like to think of Composite Hieroglyphs as a math equation! 

𓉐 + π“Œ‰ = π“‰’

pr + αΈ₯ḏ = prαΈ₯ḏ 

The β€œschematic house plan π“‰β€œ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œpr,” but it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œhouse 𓉐𓏺.” This symbol is commonly used as a determinative for words that have to do with buildings (tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰) or places (Duat π“‡Όπ“„Ώπ“π“‰). 

The β€œmace with a round head π“Œ‰β€œ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œαΈ₯ḏ.” While I have seen it mostly used as a phonogram, this symbol can also be an ideogram for the word β€œmace π“Œ‰π“Ί.” 

What’s great about the Composite Hieroglyphs is that the two singular symbols retain their original meaning even when combined! This was a great space saving option on various objects, reliefs, etc.