Tag: hieroglyph lessons

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphic Symbols: “Area with an Intersection”

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

The β€œarea with an intersection π“Š–β€ or as I like to call it β€œthe circle with the X” hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ or the X-Men symbol, is a decently common symbol you will find in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯!

The β€œπ“Š–β€ is used as both an ideogram and a determinative! An ideogram is a symbol that is used to write the word that it represents, and is usually followed by a single stroke. The stroke acts as a form of punctuation!

π“Š–π“Ί – Town (njwt)

More commonly, β€œπ“Š–β€ functions as the determinative, or the last symbol in the word that almost acts as punctuation to let the reader know the general meaning of the word. β€œπ“Š–β€ is the determinative for town, city, settlement, and even the country of Egypt! β€œπ“Š–β€ seems to be used for towns/cities in Egypt, while most foreign lands used the determinative of β€œπ“ˆŠ.”

Here are some examples of β€œπ“Š–β€ being used as a determinative!

π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– – Egypt
π“Œ€π“π“Š– – Thebes
π“‹΄π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Š– – Aswan
π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– – Memphis
π“†“π“‚π“ˆ–π“π“Š– – Tanis
π“‹π“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š– – Abydos
π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– – Amarna

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“Venerated Before…” in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Also, how gorgeous π“„€ are the colors on this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­?!

This is another inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ that you will find on sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ or other funerary objects, like stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“ͺ. While the phrase may not be as common as some others (like the Offering Formula), it does pop up fairly frequently and it’s a good one to know!

π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œ- Venerated
𓐍𓂋 – Before
π“Š¨π“π“Ί – Isis (her name is usually written as π“Š¨π“π“₯, but the determinative is missing most likely due to the amount of space available on the sarcophagus.)

Since β€œVenerated π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œβ€œ is just another way to say β€œrespect,” this phrase means that the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 person was held in high regard by the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯! That is certainly a position that an ancient Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ would want to be in!

Now, Isis π“Š¨π“π“Ί isn’t the only goddess’ π“ŠΉπ“ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that is used in this phrase; Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 and Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ are popular to find as well! This is because all three 𓏼 of these deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are associated with death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐!

π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œπ“π“‚‹π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 – Venerated Before Anubis
π“„ͺπ“π“‡Œπ“π“‚‹π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Venerated Before Osiris

I hope this has been helpful in your hieroglyph journey!

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“Eternity” in Hieroglyphs

When we last went to the MET on my birthday, I was so excited because my sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ pointed to this relief and said that these symbols meant β€œeternity 𓆖” and I felt so proud! My sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ always reads my posts and has always been my biggest supporter (besides Nonno) in my study of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Eternity 𓆖 was a concept central to ancient Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ religion and culture. Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that β€œdeath 𓅓𓏏𓏱 is only the beginning” and it was the start of their journey to eternal 𓆖 life π“‹Ή. The Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ believed that once they reached the Field of Reeds π“‡π“π“ˆ…π“‡‹π“„Ώπ“‚‹π“…±π“†°π“Š–, they were going to live the rest of eternity 𓆖 in paradise.

In the Old Kingdom, tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ (a pit, tomb shaft or structure made of mudbrick [mastaba]) were starting to be referred to as the β€œHouse of Eternity 𓉐𓆖.” Tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ made of rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ were considered the best due to the durability of stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ: so stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ was also a representation of eternity 𓆖!

The word β€œeternity π“†–β€œ appears frequently in so many inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ – if you can recognize the word, you will be able to pick it out in any museum you visit!

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“To Be Happy” in Hieroglyphs

Let’s learn some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!!! Here we see an inscription with the symbols β€œπ“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“†‘.”

The β€œhare 𓃹” is normally used as a phonogram, which means that it is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word! The hare 𓃹 is a biliteral sign which means it represents two consonants. The 𓃹 represents the sounds β€œwn.”

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€œhorned viper 𓆑” functions as both a phonogram and a determinative. 𓆑 is also a uniliteral symbol and represents the sound β€œf.” 𓆑 can function as a determinative in the word β€œfather 𓇋𓏏𓆑.” β€œFather” can also be written as: 𓇋𓏏𓀀, 𓇋𓏏𓆑𓀀, 𓏏𓆑, or 𓏏𓆑𓀀 and in some cases, both β€œπ“†‘β€ and β€œπ“€€β€œ function as determinatives because neither were pronounced!

When put together, π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“†‘ reads like β€œwnf.” The word π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“†‘, means β€œto be glad” or β€œto be happy.”

Categories
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

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“I Have the High Ground” Hieroglyph

β€œI have the high ground 𓀠” is one of the most quoted lines from Star 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼 Wars 𓂋𓆱𓂝𓏏𓏦! The hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 literally means β€œhigh ground 𓀠” and looks very similar to Obi-Wan during the end fight scene on Mustafar from Revenge of the Sith! When I found this in an inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ at the MET, I got very excited!!!!

This particular hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ symbol has been named the β€œexcited man” by James Allen (but I will be calling it β€œKenobi”), and I happen to think that is a very fitting description! The β€œexcited man 𓀠” functions as both an ideogram and a determinative.

When acting as an ideogram, π“€  means β€œhigh ground.”

When acting as a determinative, π“€  can be found at the end of words such as:

π“„Ώπ“Ž›π“€  – Mourn
π“Ž›π“‚π“‚π“…±π“π“€  – Joy
π“―π“„Ώπ“ˆ™π“€  – be strong, be honored
π“‹΄π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“€  – raise, to set right
π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“€  – to be high, to be loud

These words all express strong emotions, so the β€œexcited man π“€ β€œ is definitely a symbol that summarizes the meaning of the word!

Since β€œRevenge of the Sith” is one of my absolute favorite movies, I am really quite amused by the meaning of this hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ! It is such a cool coincidence!

Are any of you guys Star 𓋴𓃀𓄿𓇼 Wars 𓂋𓆱𓂝𓏏𓏦 fans too?! I absolutely loved the Kenobi show on Disney+ because I am a huge fan of Anakin and Obi-Wan!

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Duamutef in Hieroglyphs

Duamutef’s name in Hieroglyphs

𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 – Duamutef in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 was one of the four Sons of Horus and his job was to protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the stomach 𓂋𓄣𓏻 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 which is why he is commonly represented on the lid of canopic jars or in funerary art. The function of the canopic jar was to hold the organs 𓇋𓂧𓂋𓄹𓏦 that were removed during the process of mummification. Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 is associated with the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ, and all four Sons of Horus are associated with a cardinal direction.

Let’s take a look at Duamutef’s 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! All of the symbols in Duamutef’s 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– are phonogram symbols, which means that they represent sounds!

The β€œstar 𓇼” functions as a triliteral phonogram for the sound β€œdw3” (almost like β€œdua”). Triliteral means that the symbol represents three consonants! In other words, it can also function as a determinative or ideogram.

The β€œvulture 𓅐” is a triliteral phonogram and represents the sounds β€œmjt/mwt.” It is also used as a determinative in the word β€œvulture π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“…β€

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine!

The β€œhorned viper 𓆑” functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œf.” In other words, it can function as a determinative.

So Duamutef’s 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is something like β€œduamwttf” – which is very similar to β€œDuamutef!” There’s no Greek version of the name here! For example, β€œAnubis” is a Greek name – β€œInpu” is what the ancient Egyptians would have called Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣!

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“May He Live Every Day Like Ra”

“May He Live Every Day Like Ra” in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are from the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 Coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± of Khnumnakht, an individual who lived during the 12th-13th Dynasties (c. 1850-1750 B.C.E.)

Here is what the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– says:
π“‹Ήπ“˜ – May He Live
π“‡³π“Ίπ“ŽŸ – Every Day
𓏇𓇳𓏺 – Like Ra

The little β€œstrokes 𓏺” are not technically part of the words and they are not pronounced! They are there for aesthetic purposes to make sure all of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are spaced out correctly and appear even/in lines on the coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±!

I have posted a bunch of inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ from this coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± because it is just so beautiful π“„€! The wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 coffins π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± from the Middle Kingdom are truly something else! The paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 and the colors are just exquisite and have really stood the test of time!

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Shu in Hieroglyphs

The name of the god “Shu” in Hieroglyphs from the coffin of Khnumnakht (The MET)

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Once again, these hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are from the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 Coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± of Khnumnakht, an individual who lived during the 12th-13th Dynasties (c. 1850-1750 B.C.E.).

These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ pictured spell out the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ β€œShu 𓆄𓅱.” Shu 𓆄𓅱 is the god π“ŠΉ of the atmosphere/air and sunlight. The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Shu can also mean β€œemptiness.” In this inscription, the determinative symbol is missing; Shu can also be written as β€œπ“†„π“…±π“€­.”

The β€œfeather 𓆄” is a biliteral symbol and is representative of the sound Ε‘w. β€œπ“†„β€ can also function as an ideogram for β€œfeather 𓆄𓏺,” and as a determinative for β€œMaat/Truth π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„.”

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 𓅱𓏺.”

Here are some other words that are similar to Shu 𓆄𓅱! What is so cool about all of the words is that they all have to do with the atmosphere!
𓆄𓅱𓅨 – Empty
𓆄𓅱𓇳, 𓆄𓅱𓇢 – sun, sunlight
𓆄𓅱𓇳 – be dry

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Nephthys in Hieroglyphs

The name of the goddess “Nephthys” from the coffin of Khnumnakht

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are from the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 Coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± of Khnumnakht, an individual who lived during the 12th-13th Dynasties (c. 1850-1750 B.C.E.).

Today, our inscription very simply reads β€œπ“‰ ,” which is the shortened version of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Nephthys 𓉠!

This type of symbol that is used in Nephthys’ 𓉠 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is called a Composite Hieroglyph. A Composite Hieroglyphic symbol is a symbol that is the combination of multiple symbols into a single glyph.

The three 𓏼 symbols β€œπ“ŽŸπ“π“‰—β€ can be combined to make the β€œπ“‰ β€ symbol, which is not only the crown that Nephthys wears 𓉠, but a space saver when writing out hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Nephthys’ 𓉠 title was β€œMistress of the House π“ŽŸπ“π“‰π“Ί.” If you look, even the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ for β€œMistress of the House π“ŽŸπ“π“‰π“Ί,” are very similar to her name (𓉠)! Both 𓉐and 𓉗 are part of the symbols that relate to β€œStructures and their Parts;” I love when it is all connected!

Her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– could also be written as π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“’π“―π“†— or more commonly as 𓉠𓏏𓆇.

In statuary and funerary art, the crown on her head 𓁢𓏺 is one of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that is used in her name (𓉠), which makes Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 very easy to identify in tomb art/funerary art.