Tag: gods and goddesses

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Nephthys in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Nephthys 𓉠! Luckily, this sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum has her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– written in two ways!Β 

Nephthys in Hieroglyphs
Nephthys in Hieroglyphs on a sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum

Most commonly, the 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 phonographic symbols into a single glyph. 

The three 𓏼 symbols β€œπ“ŽŸπ“π“‰—β€ can be combined to make the β€œπ“‰ β€ symbol! In statuary and funerary art, the crown on her head 𓁢𓏺 is the composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ that is used to write her name (𓉠), which makes Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 very easy to identify in tomb art/funerary art. Since the goddess depicted on this sarcophagus is wearing the β€œπ“‰ β€ on her head, we know it’s Nephthys! 

But what if she wasn’t wearing the crown? How would we know it was Nephthys 𓉠 that is depicted? Luckily, most ancient Egyptian funerary art came with β€œcaptions” – usually the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the deity was written next to them! In this case, we can see Nephthys’ full name π“‚‹π“ˆ– written out as β€œπ“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“†‡β€ right next to her face! 

Here are the two ways we see Nephthys’ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the sarcophagus:Β 

𓉠

π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“†‡

Some other variants of Nephthys’ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– are: 

𓉠𓏏𓆇

𓉠𓏏

π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“‰π“

π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“’π“―π“†— 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Anubis in Hieroglyphs

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

Anubis in Hieroglyphs
Anubis in Hieroglyphs on a sarcophagus at the MET

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, we are going to look at my favorite word to spot in inscriptions: Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣! Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is my favorite Egyptian god π“ŠΉ, so I love spotting the different variants of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! His name π“‚‹π“ˆ– turns up a lot because Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is one of the main funerary gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, and a large part of Egyptian artifacts that are in museums happen to be funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­! 

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols! 

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.” 

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a uniliteral phonogram. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” 

The β€œrecumbent jackal on shrine 𓃣” is used as both an ideogram and a determinative. 𓃣 is the determinative in the word β€œAnubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣” and also an ideogram for β€œAnubis 𓃣. When 𓃣 functions as an ideogram, the β€œπ“ƒ£β€ would be pronounced the same as β€œπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣,” which is the full way to write the name. This is my absolute favorite hieroglyphic symbol!

The proper way to say Anubis in Middle Egyptian is β€œΔ±Ν—npw” (pronounced like β€œInpu” or β€œAnpu”). Even though the quail chick is missing in this variant, the determinative of Anubis 𓃣 just implies the full spelling! 

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œAnubis” is actually the Greek version of his name, not the Middle Egyptian name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, so that is why the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ don’t match up with how we are so used to saying Anubis/Inpu/Anpu’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

Here are some common variants of Anubis’ name: 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣 (the one pictured)

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“…±

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Words Spoken By Duamutef

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today we are going to look at the following inscription: “π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ – Words Spoken By Duamutef” which is painted on a sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ that is dated to the Middle Kingdom. One of my favorite things about this sarcophagus π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­ is the bright colors! It’s always incredible how beautiful and bright the colors are even after thousands of years!

Words Spoken By Duamutef
“Words Spoken By Duamutef” painted on a sarcophagus from the Middle Kingdom

β€œ π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–β€ is a really popular introduction to an inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– 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 three consonant sound β€œmdw.”

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.” 

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a uniliteral phonogram. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

Let’s take a look at Duamutef’s π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! All of the symbols in Duamutef’s π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– are also phonograms! 

The β€œstar 𓇼”  functions as a triliteral phonogram for the sound β€œdw3” (almost like β€œdua”). In other words, 𓇼 can also function as a determinative or ideogram. 

The β€œforearm with bread π“‚Ÿβ€œ symbol could either function as a uniliteral or biliteral phonogram depending on the word! π“‚Ÿ represented the sounds β€œm” or β€œmj.” The β€œforearm with bread π“‚Ÿβ€ could also be a determinative in the word for β€œgive π“‚‹π“‚Ÿ.”

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 π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is something like β€œduamwttf” – which is very similar to β€œDuamutef!”

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Osiris Cartouche

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

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a man named Amenemopet who lived during the early part of the 22nd Dynasty (c. 975–909 B.C.E.).Β This coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 has what I like to call “The Osiris Cartouche” painted inside!

The Osiris Cartouche
The Osiris Cartouche is located on the bottom panel of this coffin at the MET.

If you look closely at the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 artwork inside this mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 there’s a lot of different things going on! The uppermost row of artwork in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 purifying π“‹΄π“ƒ‚π“ˆ— the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱, whose is surrounded by offering tables 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 covered in food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯! 

Above Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 there are some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

π“ŽŸ – Lord

𓇽 – Duat (the ancient Egyptian word for β€œNetherworld”)

Is it Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 being referred to as the β€œLord of the Duat,” or is it Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­? Usually this epithet was used with Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­! 

One of the cool things you can see on the bottom panel is Osiris’ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! Usually the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 appears in a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! While this doesn’t happen often, there are instances where the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ will appear in the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· and since this coffin does not belong to a pharaoh, a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is not expected! But Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ was believed to be the first pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, so I guess a cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is fitting! 

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are: π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ŽŸπ“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. Let’s break down the symbols! 

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

All π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, this translates to β€œOsiris, Lord of Eternity.”

The cartouche is flanked by the Golden Horus symbol π“…‰ on either side which is a Falcon π“…ƒ standing on top of the symbol for gold π“‹ž. The common symbols of protection, the Eye of Horus and Eye of Ra also appear above the Golden Horus π“…‰, along with the shen ring in between the Falcon’s wings. The Shen 𓍢 symbol is a circle of rope that is tied at the end. The tied rope symbolizes completeness and eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Stela of Rameses II

This is a large sandstone stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ of Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ on display at the Brooklyn Museum.Β Β 

Stela of Rameses II
Stela of Rameses II on display at the Brooklyn Museum!

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ talk about how Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ founded the town of Meriamun, and how he established the cult of Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– there. The stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ was a way to commemorate Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ presenting statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ to the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ of Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³. 

The image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows (from left to right) Mut 𓏏𓄿𓀭, Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–, and Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“. Rameses II can be seen wearing the blue crown, also known as the khepresh π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ crown which was very popular among New Kingdom pharaohs 𓉐𓉻! 

Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ is receiving symbols of kingship (the crook π“‹Ύ) from the god π“ŠΉ Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³. This is meant to represent that Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³ saw Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ as a legitimate and rightful ruler! The pharaohs 𓉐𓉻 believed that they were direct descendants of Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³ (in the 18th – 19th Dynasties Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–/Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Ίπ“‡³ kind of replaces Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ in popularity as king 𓇓 of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ) and that they were gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ on Earth.Β 

It was also really cool that five 𓏾 of Rameses II’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ appear on this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ!Β These names appear on the top two rows of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Here are Rameses II’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ five 𓏾 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦:Β 

π“ƒ’π“‚‘π“‡³π“Ίπ“€­π“ŒΈπ“‡Œ – Horus π“…ƒ Name (The Strong Bull, Beloved of Ra) 

π“…–π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š–π“…±π“‚π“†‘π“²π“‚‘π“ˆŠπ“π“¦ – Nebty π“…’ Name (Protector of Egypt Who Curbs Foreign Lands”)

π“Œ‚π“π“‚‘π“„˜π“‚§π“‚‹π“‚‘π“Œ”π“π“€π“» – Golden Horus π“…‰ Name (β€œPowerful of Arm, He Who Has Subdued the Nine Bows”)

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Throne Name (β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra”)

π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Birth Name (β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun”)

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Bronze Statue of Bastet

This image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows a bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of the beloved π“Œ»π“‚‹π“‡Œ Egyptian goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“! This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is dated to the Late Period – Ptolemaic Period (c. 664–30 B.C.E.).

Bronze Statue of Bastet
Bronze Statue of Bastet on display at the MET

The goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ and Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ were both depicted as cats 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠π“ͺ, however, Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ usually had the body of a woman 𓂑𓏏𓁐 while Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ usually had the body of a cat 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠. Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ is also usually distinguished from Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ by the sun disc 𓇳𓏺 that usually appears on her head!

However, when Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ was depicted with the body of a woman 𓂑𓏏𓁐 (like in this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾), she was usually holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ in one hand! Since Hathor 𓉑 was usually seen with sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ, this shows a link between the two 𓏻 goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“!

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 also shows Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ holding a basket π“‚π“‚‹π“‚π“‚‹π“Ž… in her elbow/arm (opposite the sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£) and a lion-headed aegis in the same arm. An aegis is an object that has the head of a deity π“ŠΉ (in this case a lion) with a broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹ underneath it! The aegis itself was a protective π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ symbol associated with Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ and was used in rituals and festivals! The basket π“‚π“‚‹π“‚π“‚‹π“Ž… is thought to possibly hold kittens, but that is just an inference by historians and Egyptologists!

Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ was the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of pregnancy and childbirth and was considered to be the protective π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ form of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ so it is very fitting for her to be holding the aegis!

Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ and Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ were believed to be the two 𓏻 unpredictable personalities of the same goddess π“ŠΉπ“. While Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ represented the destructive and unpredictable side, Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ was the gentler and calmer side. 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Relief of Rameses II and Horus

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at this fragmented relief from the Louvre which depicts the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– and the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­! Horus is holding Rameses II’s π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– hand and leading him. How do we know that this is a depiction of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ since there are many falcon gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ? The word “Edfu π“„‘π“‚§π“π“Š–” in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is a major clue – Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ of the Winged Disc or β€œBehdetite” was the chief god π“ŠΉ of the city π“Š–!

Look at who is leading Horus π“…ƒπ“€­- it’s the god π“ŠΉ Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 who is the β€œOpener of the Ways!” Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 appears on a standard and is associated leading ritual processions.Β 

Rameses II and Horus
Relief showing Rameses II and Horus

Above the depiction is actually part of Rameses II’s royal titularly! Each pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 had five names, and the first one that appears is known as the β€œHorus Name.” Rameses II had many variants of his Horus Name, but we will look at the one that appears here: β€œπ“‚‘π“ƒ’π“§π“ŒΊ Strong Bull, Beloved of Maat”

π“‚‘ – Strong

𓃒 – Bull

𓁧 – Maat

π“ŒΊ – Beloved

After that, the Nebty Name π“…’ is listed! The Nebty Name is distinguished by the Nebty or Two Ladies symbol β€œπ“…’.” Only the partial name appears on the relief: β€œπ“…–π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š– Protector of Egypt.”

π“…– – Protector 

π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š– – Egypt (Kemet) (most commonly, Kemet is written as β€œπ“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–,” however this is another variant).

The full name is as follows: π“…–π“Ž‘π“†Žπ“π“Š–π“…±π“‚π“†‘π“²π“‚‘π“ˆŠπ“π“¦ β€œProtector of Egypt Who Curbs Foreign Lands.” 

Rameses II and Horus
Relief showing Rameses II and Horus

Above Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ appears:Β 

π“„‘π“‚§π“π“Š– – Edfu

π“ŽŸ- Lord

𓇯 – Sky

π“„€ – Perfect

π“ŠΉ – God 

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra (Throne Name of Rameses II which translates to β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.”)

𓏙 – Given

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“Œ€ – Strength

All together the inscription says: “Edfu, Lord of the Sky, the Perfect God Usermaatre setep en Ra Give Life and Strength.”

To the left of Rameses II: 

π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“ˆ– – It Is

π“„€ – Perfect

π“ŠΉ – God 

π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– – Usermaatre setep en Ra

All together the inscription says: “It Is the Pefect God Usermaatre setep en Ra.”

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

@ancientegyptblog

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

“The Opener of the Ways”

Whenever people see an Egyptian artifact that looks like a jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯, they think it’s Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, however, there are other canine deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon! This small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 depicts the god π“ŠΉ Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 who was known as “The Opener of the Ways!”Β 

The Opener of the Ways
Small statue of the god Wepwawet at the MET

Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 is associated with Abydos π“‹π“ƒ€π“ˆ‹π“Š– and is likely the oldest god π“ŠΉ associated with the jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯! Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 has been depicted on objects that even pre-date the Narmer 𓆒𓍋 Palette π“π“Šƒπ“π“†±! Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 is associated with war and conquest, and leading ritual processions. 

Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 was depicted as either a jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯ or a wolf π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“‡‹π“²π“„› and one of the best ways to distinguish between Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is by looking for their names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ since they are artistically very similar looking! 

Another way to tell Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 apart is by how the jackal is standing: Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is usually shown in the recumbent position (𓃒, 𓃣, 𓃀) while Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 is usually shown standing up (𓃧, 𓃨).

Wepwawet’s π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œOpener of the Ways,” which has many meanings. He was associated with clearing the path for the sun 𓇳𓏺 to rise in the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯, clearing the way for the armies in battle, and clearing the path for the deceased to enter the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. Statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Wepwawet π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧 were also carried in front of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 during processions for this reason! 

Other variants of Wepwawet’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– include:

π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓃧

π“„‹π“ˆπ“₯𓏏𓁒

π“„‹π“ˆ

π“„‹π“ˆπ“ˆπ“ˆ

π“„‹π“ˆπ“ˆπ“ˆπ“€­

𓃧

This piece is dated to the Late Period–Ptolemaic Period (c. 664–30 B.C.E.). 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Wedjat or “Eye of Horus”

The wedjat π“‚€ or the “Eye of Horus” was not only one of the most popular amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, but also one of the most popular religious symbols in general! 

The wedjat π“‚€ or the “Eye of Horus” is representative of the eye 𓁹𓏏𓏀 that Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ lost when battling Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£. Thoth π“…€π“€­ restored Horus’ π“…ƒπ“€­ eye, however, the single Eye of Horus became a symbol of rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± or healing π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ƒ€π“œ due to the nature of the myth. 

The wedjat π“‚€ was also common symbol of protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ and regeneration.Β  The Eye of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ was an amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† used by both the living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ and the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱! The Eye of Horus was also associated with the moon π“‡‹π“‚π“Ž›π“‡Ή!Β 

Wedjat or "Eye of Horus"
Two Wedjat or “Eye of Horus” amulets on display at the MET

These two 𓏻 faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό wedjat π“‚€ eye amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ from the Third Intermediate Period (c. 1070–664 B.C.E.) are so detailed and beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋! 

The wedjat π“‚€ eye on the left has a wing π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒ, lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› (it looks like the hieroglyph symbol β€œπ“ƒ­β€), and and two 𓏻 Uraei 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗π“ͺ on it! All of the inlays are intact too! 

The wedjat π“‚€ eye on the right is missing some of the white inlay on the eye but it has the details of what looks like the bottom part of a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ (the tail and the legs), another eye 𓁹𓏏𓏀, and an arm 𓂝𓏺! 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Video

Wooden Statue of Anubis (Video)

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 at the Brooklyn Museum is one of my favorites!

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 shows Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in his jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯ form. The recumbent position is representative of him guarding the necropolis π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌ from high above on a hill π“ˆŽπ“„Ώπ“„Ώπ“ŠŽ or mountain π“ˆ‹π“…³- as was his role as the god π“ŠΉ of cemeteries and mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž.

Another one of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 titles is β€œupon his hill/mountain π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘β€ and this hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ phrase usually follows his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in dedication texts! Again, this is representative of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 role as protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱; he was always standing watch from above! 

This piece is dated to the Late Period or Ptolemaic Period (c. 664-30 B.C.E.), which is when wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in this style became extremely popular!

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ