Tag: hieroglyph lessons

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Montu in Hieroglyphs

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

Today we are going to learn how to read the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ MontuΒ π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“€­!Β MontuΒ π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“€­Β was a war god and was worshipped widely during the 11th Dynasty/Middle Kingdom.Β 

A closeup of the name “Montu” in hieroglyphs from a stela at the MET

The β€œπ“  game board and pieces” is a phonogram sign. It is a biliteral sign, which means that it represents two consonants. The β€œ 𓏠” is associated with the sound β€œmn” which could be pronounced like β€œmen,” β€œmun,” β€œmon,” etc. 

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a phonogram sign, except it is uniliteral sign, which means that it just represents one consonant. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

The β€œπ“Ώ hobble/tie” is also a uniliteral phonogram sign. The β€œπ“Ώβ€ is associated with the sounds of β€œαΉ―β€ or β€œt.” 

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is a super popular symbol! It is a uniliteral symbol that is representative of the sound w/u, and it is also an ideogram for the word β€œchick π“…±π“Ί.”

The final symbol in the name, β€œπ“€­ seated god,” is one that is not pronounced! This is a determinative symbol, which means that it is a symbol used to show the general meaning of the word! It is basically used as punctuation at the end of the word to show you that it is over!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Two Sides of the Same Coffin!

Dedication to Osiris on a coffin at the Brooklyn Museum

In the picture above, you can see a dedication to Osiris – π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ π“ŽŸπ“Š½π“‚§π“…±π“Š– – 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 sarcophagus would allow the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 to see outside of it!

Dedication to Anubis on a coffin at the Brooklyn Museum

In the picture above, you can see a dedication to Anubis – π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹ 𓆑 – β€œAn offering the king gives Anubis, upon his hill…”

β€œUpon his hill” is in reference to Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 being the god π“ŠΉ of cemeteries, and looking over cemeteries from the cliff or hill above it!

Why dedications to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣?! They are the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ most commonly associated with death!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Reading Hieroglyphs from the Stela of Hatshepsut

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

Today I’m going to focus on one of my favorite pieces – the Stela of Pharaoh Hatshepsut! I’m sure it comes as no surprise to many of you that this is one of my favorites! I have been obsessed with Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ since I was a kid, and getting to see this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ up close was a dream come true.

Close-up of the Stela of Hatshepsut at the Vatican Museum.

You can see two cartouches – Hatshepsut’s throne name Maatkare (𓇳𓁦𓂓) and Thutmosis III’s throne name Menkhepra (𓇳𓏠𓆣). In between the two cartouches is the phrase β€œπ“™π“‹Ήπ“‡³π“Ίπ“‡β€ which translates to β€œGiven life like Ra.”

β€œπ“™π“‹Ήπ“‡³π“Ίπ“‡β€ can also be written as β€œπ“™π“‹Ήπ“‡³π“‡β€ (the 𓏺 hieroglyph is missing). So why did the artist carve the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ this way? It’s for the aesthetics – to make the symbols line up properly and take up the right amount of space!

What’s also cool is β€œπ“™π“‹Ήπ“‡³π“Ίπ“‡β€ can be used before either of the cartouches! Usually this phrase is put before a pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– but since these symbols are non-directional they can be used either right to left or left to right. What a way to maximize space on the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ!

Fun fact: You can tell which direction to read the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on any piece based on the direction a bird is pointing! Since this bird (π“…­) is pointing to the left, the symbols would be read from left to right.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Wooden Plaque with Hieroglyphs

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

This little wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 plaque was once part of a brick that was part of the foundation at the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ of Mentuhotep II π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€ at Deir el-Bahri. Mentuhotep II π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€ was pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 during the 11th Dynasty (Middle Kingdom).

Wooden Plaque with Hieroglyphs at the MET

The inscription reads: π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“…†π“‡³π“…†π“ŽŸπ“ˆΉ π“Œ»π“‡Œπ“†₯(π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€) 𓋹𓆖

Let’s break it down:
π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“…†π“‡³π“…†: Montu-Re
π“ŽŸ: Lord
π“ˆΉ: Thebes (This symbol is a combination of π“Œ€π“ŠΎπ“ˆˆ. π“Œ€= Thebes, π“ŠΎ= a divine status and π“ˆˆ = the determinative of districts)
π“Œ»π“‡Œ: Beloved (can also be written like π“Œ»π“‚‹π“‡Œ sometimes)
π“†₯: King of Upper and Lower Egypt
(π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€) Nebhapetra (Throne Name of Mentuhotep II)
𓋹𓆖: Eternal Life

So all together this inscription reads: β€œBeloved of Montu-Re, Lord of Thebes, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nebhapetra, Eternal Life.”

Due to what’s called β€œhonorific transposition,” Montu-Re π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“…†π“‡³π“…† appears first in the inscription since it’s the name of a god π“ŠΉ even though beloved π“Œ»π“‡Œ is read first.

We actually do use honorific transposition in English too! We read $20 as β€œtwenty dollars” and not β€œdollars twenty.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Stela of Hetepsi

This is a stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ for a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“ named Hetepsi π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓋴𓇋 who was a priestess π“ŠΉπ“› of Hathor 𓉑 during the Old Kingdom (6th-8th Dynasty, c. 2323-2100 B.C.E.). Hetepsi π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓋴𓇋 is seen holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ in her hand, which is a musical instrument which is associated with the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑.

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

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“‰“π“ˆ– – β€œAn offering the king gives Anubis, a voice offering of…” (Anubis’ name is shortened here, most likely for spacing reasons because Anubis is usually always written as π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 or π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒).

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“Šͺ𓏏𓏏 – β€œA royal offering” (π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ can mean β€œpeace” or β€œoffering”)

π“‰žπ“π“‹π“ŠΉπ“›π“ŽŸπ“ – β€œPriestess of Hathor, Mistress of…” (β€œMistress” can also be translated as β€œLady”)

π“‰Ίπ“ˆ–π“π“Š–π“‡‹π“Œ΄π“„ͺ𓅱𓏏 – β€œDendera, who is revered…”

π“π“‚‹π“ŠΉπ“„€π“ŽŸπ“Šͺπ“π“‡―π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓋴𓇋 – β€œ…before the great god lord of the sky, Hetepsi”

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“‰“π“ˆ–π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“Šͺπ“π“π“‰žπ“π“‹π“ŠΉπ“›π“ŽŸπ“ π“‰Ίπ“ˆ–π“π“Š–π“‡‹π“Œ΄π“„ͺ𓅱𓏏 π“π“‚‹π“ŠΉπ“„€π“ŽŸπ“Šͺπ“π“‡―π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓋴𓇋

β€œAn offering the king gives Anubis, a voice offering for the royal offering, Priestess of Hathor, Mistress of Dendera, who is revered before the great god, lord of the sky, Hetepsi.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Stela for Irethoreru

This is a stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ for a man π“Šƒπ“€€π“€ named Irethoreru and it is dated to the 25th Dynasty (Third Intermediate Period, c. 775-663 B.C.E.). This stela is composed of the igneous rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ syenite, which is very similar to granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ except for the fact that it contains much less quartz π“ π“ˆ–π“Œπ“ˆ™. This property is what allows such beautiful π“„€ color contrast between the rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ itself versus the sunken relief. The contrast between the two 𓏻 makes this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ particularly stunning in my opinion.

On the right side, we can see Irethoreru making an offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯. All three 𓏼 figures are standing underneath Horus the Behdetite (the winged solar disc with uraei 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗), which is a representation of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ that was popular on stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“ͺ and temple decorations throughout many Egyptian time periods.

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

π“Š¨π“π“†‡ – Isis (Isis is more commonly written like this β€œπ“Š¨π“π“₯β€œ or β€œ π“Š¨π“π“†‡π“₯”)
π“…¨π“‚‹ – Great One
π“ŠΉπ“… – God’s Mother/Goddess

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – β€œOsiris”
π“ŠΉπ“‰Ό – β€œGreat God”
π“ŽŸπ“‡― – β€œLord of the Sky” (𓇯 by itself usually means β€œabove,” but for this translation it’s just the word sky/heaven which is usually written as π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯. This is usually Amun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ title so it’s a little strange to see it associated with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­!)
π“‹Ύ – Ruler
𓆖 – Eternity

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Middle Kingdom Coffin and Hieroglyph Translation

This is a stunning π“„€ example of a Middle Kingdom coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±(Late 12 to mid-13 Dynasty c. 1850–1750 B.C.E.). Many coffins π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± from the Middle Kingdom were made of wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 and elaborately painted. This coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± belonged to a person named Khnumnakht, who is an unknown individual except for this coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±.

The panel of this coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± that I chose to highlight is significant for many reasons. The two 𓏻 eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 that are seen would serve as a way for the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 to be able to see into the land of the living. The head 𓁢𓏺 of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 would have been placed directly behind these two 𓏻 eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦. Below the eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦, is the Middle Kingdom version of the false door (particularly popular in Old Kingdom tombs). The false door would allow the spirit of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 to be able to travel between the land of the living and the land of the dead.

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

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ – β€œAn offering the king gives..”
π“Š¨π“Ήπ“Ί – β€œ…Osiris…”
π“ŽŸ – β€œ…Lord…”
π“Š½π“Š½π“…± – β€œ…of Djedu…”
π“ŠΉπ“‰» – β€œ…the Great God…”
π“ŽŸ – β€œ…Lord…”
π“Œπ“ˆ‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“Š– – β€œ…of Abydos.”

So put together, the inscription says:

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™π“Š¨π“Ήπ“Ίπ“ŽŸπ“Š½π“Š½π“…±π“ŠΉπ“‰»π“ŽŸπ“Œπ“ˆ‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“Š–

β€œAn offering the king gives Osiris, Lord of Djedu, the Great God, Lord of Abydos.”

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Mummiform Coffin of Harmose

This (left) mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a singer named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Harmose who lived during the joint rule of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣(New Kingdom, Dynasty 18, c. 1479–1458 B.C.E.). While Harmose was not royal, this coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 is still quite striking. The face is overlaid with gold π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ foil while the eyes 𓁹𓏏𓏦 are made out of inlaid alabaster (white π“Œ‰π“†“π“‡³) and obsidian (black π“†Žπ“…“). The coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 was found in the vicinity of Senemut’s π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ during excavations funded by the Metropolitan Museum of Art during the 1935-1936 dig season.

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! By now, I’m sure those of you who have been following me for a bit can now recognize parts of the standard offering formula!

π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™ – β€œAn offering the king gives…”

π“Š©π“Ή – β€œ…Osiris…” (this is a not as common variation of his name)

π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“› – β€œ…Ruler of…”

𓆖 – β€œ…Eternity…”

π“‰Όπ“ŠΉ – β€œ…The Great God”

π“ŽŸ – β€œ…Lord…”

π“Œπ“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š– – β€œ…of Abydos…” (this is another variation – Abydos is more commonly written as π“Œπ“ˆ‹π“ƒ€π“…±π“Š–)

𓉓 – β€œ…A Voice Offering of…”

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Scarab of Hatshepsut

Here is a scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ from the MET! The MET has so many of these beautiful π“„€ scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ and I honestly love looking at them! I really like tiny things, so scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ and other amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are some of my favorite pieces to see in museums!

This scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 has a very simple message:

π“ŠΉπ“„€ – β€œPerfect God”

𓇳𓁧𓂓 – β€œMaatkare”

Interestingly, Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ throne name Maatkare (which translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re”) is usually written as 𓇳𓁦𓂓, however on the scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣, the symbol for Maat is slightly different! On this scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣, the symbol shows Maat holding an ankh 𓁧! It’s a very subtle but cool variation. It doesn’t change the meaning or the pronunciation of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, but I love seeing little changes like this! Clearly, this was an artistic choice!

When learning hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, throne names are a great place to start learning because the names aren’t too complex! Let’s use Maatkare 𓇳𓁧𓂓 as an example!

𓇳 – Re

𓁧 – Truth (Maat)

π“‚“ – Soul (Ka)

With the three 𓏼 symbol cartouche, especially when Re 𓇳𓏺 is involved, it’s read middle-right-left. So why is Re 𓇳𓏺 written first but said last!? Honorific transposition! As a sign of respect, Re (or another god π“ŠΉ) is always written first!

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Statue of a Pharaoh and Ancient Plagiarism

This statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ is very interesting because it was originally made for the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenemhat II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“…“π“„‚π“ during the 12th π“Ž†π“» Dynasty. However if you look at the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, the cartouches of Rameses II can be read! The pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ used to recycle statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ all the time – this is a process known as usurping (taking one pharaoh’s monuments, erasing their nameπ“‚‹π“ˆ–, and putting yours!). It’s kind of like ancient plagiarism!

This statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ is made of granodiorite, a type of volcanic (igneous) rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™. It was quarried at Aswan π“‹΄π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Š– and then transported up the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί to Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–, where it was sculpted.

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

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

(π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–) – Rameses II (throne name Usermaatre)

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“ˆ˜π“†‘ – His Beloved

(π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“) – Rameses II

𓇳𓏇𓏺 – Like Ra

The image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 below shows some of the ancient erasing that took place!