Tag: gods and goddesses

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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 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amun-Ra or Pharaoh Amenhotep III?

This quartzite statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 at the Brooklyn Museum is called β€œAmun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί or Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž β€ and while small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…©, it certainly gives us a lot to think about! I think that this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is a representation of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  for a couple of reasons!Β 

Amun-Ra or Pharaoh Amenhotep III
Statue of Amun-Ra or Pharaoh Amenhotep III at the Brooklyn Museum

The first and most obvious reason are the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on his chest ornament, which is on top of an elaborately carved broad collar π“…±π“‹΄π“π“ŽΊπ“‹. While the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are difficult to see in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, here is the translation: 

π“‡³π“§π“Ž  – Nebmaatra (Amenhotep III’s throne name)

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

π“ŒΈ – Beloved

So the full translation would be β€œNebmaatra, Beloved of Amun-Ra.” This clearly labels the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 as being of Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž . 

Amun-Ra or Pharaoh Amenhotep III
Me with the statue of Amun-Ra or Pharaoh Amenhotep III at the Brooklyn Museum

The statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 does have a some similarities to the representation of the god π“ŠΉ Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί too, especially the remnants of the crown on his head, which is the same two-plume crown π“‹› that is characteristic of Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί. 

Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  seems to have had a fascination with Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί, and probably wanted to be depicted as him. Many Egyptologists wonder if Amenhotep III’s π“‡³π“§π“Ž  fascination with this solar deity was inspiration for his son π“…­ Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– religious revolution. 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Ptolemaic Statue of Anubis

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 at the Brooklyn Museum is similar to the one I posted from the MET yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳! I love seeing β€œsister” pieces across museums!Β 

Ptolemaic Statue of Anubis
Ptolemaic Statue of Anubis at the Brooklyn Museum

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 piece was likely found at Saqqara, which in ancient Egyptian times was called Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–. 

I also love this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 because it is very similar to Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 determinative hieroglyph 𓃣 (which is my favorite hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ symbol) and it’s almost identical to the β€˜recumbent jackal 𓃒” sign! 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.

Ptolemaic Statue of Anubis
Ptolemaic Statue of Anubis at the Brooklyn Museum

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣, despite being associated with death 𓅓𓏏𓏱, was a very positive figure in Egyptian religion. In Egyptian mythology, he played the vital role in the mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and weighed the heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 against Maat’s π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ feather 𓆄𓏺 in the Weighing of the Heart! In modern pop culture, Anubis is usually the β€œvillain” when in reality he was a highly regarded and peaceful god π“ŠΉ! 

Basically, I love anything to do with Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣! Seeing a well preserved statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of him, or hieroglyphic π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ symbols of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ makes me really happy 𓄫𓏏𓄣 and excited. It’s like seeing an old friend π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“€€π“! 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Wooden Statue of Anubis

This wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is one of my favorites because the piece is in such good condition! The black π“†Žπ“…“ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 is still clearly visible and the wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 is so well preserved. Wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 is an organic material, and even in the dry heat of the desert π“…Ÿπ“‚‹π“π“ˆŠ it can still break down over thousands 𓆼𓆼𓆼 of years! My Nonno always pointed out every wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 piece in a museum and told us how significant it was that the wood 𓆱𓏏𓏺 was preserved.

Wooden Statue of Anubis
Wooden Statue of Anubis at the MET

This particular Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 piece is dated to the Ramesside Period, which was during the 19th-20th Dynasties of the New Kingdom. This style of statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 depicting Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 actually became very popular during the Ptolemaic Period, and there is a piece similar to this in the Brooklyn Museum too! 

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. One of his titles which is β€œLord of the Sacred Land π“ŽŸπ“‚¦π“ˆŠ,” exemplifies and highlights this role. The β€œsacred land” mentioned in this title is another way to say β€œnecropolis π“‹΄π“ˆ–π“ŠΌ!” 

Wooden Statue of Anubis
Wooden Statue of Anubis at the MET

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! 

An inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– would look like this: β€œπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“…±π“ƒ£π“Άπ“Ίπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“ŽŸπ“‚¦π“ˆŠβ€ which translates to β€œAnubis, Upon His Hill, Lord of the Sacred Land.” 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Horus as a Falcon

The god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ was one of the most important gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon. One of Horus’ π“…ƒπ“€­ many roles was as a mythological representation of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻/heir to the throne of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. In this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ is depicted as a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ wearing the combined crown π“‹– which represents both the White Crown π“„€π“‹‘ of Upper Egypt 𓇓 and the Red Crown π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“π“‹” of Lower Egypt 𓆀!Β Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ as a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ was one of the most common ways he is represented in Egyptian art.

Horus as a Falcon
Horus as a Falcon on display at the MET

The Uraeus on the front 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 of the crown is in amazing condition! A Uraeus 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗 is usually depicted as an upright snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 and is a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, and divine authority in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– – all characteristics usually associated with the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and also the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­! 

Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ was also a sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 god π“ŠΉ. Horus’ π“…ƒπ“€­ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œThe Distant One,” due to him residing in the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯! 

Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ was the son π“…­ of Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡ and Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and will often be introduced in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ as such! For example, you could see β€œπ“…ƒπ“€­π“…­π“Š¨π“π“†‡π“…­π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­β€ on objects such as sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“¦! 

Here are some variants of Horus’ name π“‚‹π“ˆ–:

π“…ƒπ“€­ (the most common way to write his name)

π“…ƒ

π“„‘π“‚‹π“…†

π“…ƒπ“…†

π“ˆπ“…ƒ

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere (Part II)

This mummy case 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a priest π“ŠΉπ“› named π“‚‹π“ˆ– Nespanetjerenpere and is on display at the Brooklyn Museum. Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳 we looked at the front, and today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the back!

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
Me with the back of the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Museum

On the back, the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ and Thoth π“…€π“€­ are depicted. On the left, the ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀 headed god π“ŠΉ Thoth π“…€π“€­, and the god π“ŠΉ of writing is shown. On the right is Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, who is the falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ headed god π“ŠΉ and the embodiment of divine kingship. He was considered to be the god π“ŠΉ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ and the β€œLord of the Sky π“ŽŸπ“Šͺ𓏏𓇯.”

Thoth π“…€π“€­ and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ are seen holding a Djed pillar π“Š½, which is the symbol of stability. The Djed pillar π“Š½ is thought to be the spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. The Djed pillar π“Š½, shown here is even wearing the Atef crown π“‹š, which is the crown that Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ wears.Β 

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
The back of the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere, showing Thoth (left), the djed pillar (center) and Horus (right)

It is very symbolic that this image 𓅱𓏏𓅱 appears where the spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 of the mummy 𓅱𓇋𓀾 would be. It can be interpreted that Thoth π“…€π“€­ and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­are supporting the spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 of the deceased person. 

When a person died 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and became β€œThe Osiris,” The Djed Pillar π“Š½ was then thought to represent their spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦! The spine 𓇋𓄿𓏏𓄦 was thought to keep Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ upright and able to function as the primary god π“ŠΉ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱. This is even referenced in the The Book of the Dead: β€œRaise yourself up Osiris. You have your backbone once more, weary-hearted One; you have bones.” 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere (Part I)

Only here on ancientegyptblog will you hear someone say β€œLook at how gorgeous this is 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓅱𓏭𓇑𓇑” about a coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 or other type of funerary object but that’s only because the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere is such an incredible piece (as many objects from the Late Period are)!

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
Me with the gorgeous Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Museum

I spent so long just trying to take in all of the beautiful π“„€ images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that are on this mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾! This coffin is made of cartonnage, which is a material that is made when linen or papyrus mixed with plaster! This is from the Third Intermediate Period, and dates from the 22nd – 25th Dynasties. 

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
A view of the Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere at the Brooklyn Muesum

This mummy case 𓅱𓇋𓀾 belonged to a priest π“ŠΉπ“› named Nespanetjerenpere. While to many the images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ may seem like random pictures of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, it is actually a collection of carefully selected religious symbols meant to help guide Nespanetjerenpere on his journey to the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 and associate him with and ensure rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. 

Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere
The Coffin of Nespanetjerenpere with a view of the ram headed pendant and the central hieroglyphs with offering forumla

The ram headed pendant on his chest is meant to represent the sun 𓇳 god π“ŠΉ Ra’s 𓇳𓏺𓁛 journey across the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 during the day 𓉔𓂋𓏺𓇳 – and through the netherworld 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 at night π“ŽΌπ“‚‹π“Ž›π“„›. The images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ can almost be thought of as the picture-book version of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. 

While the images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are so delicately drawn, the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ going down the middle of the coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 seem to be unfinished and roughly done. The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ show the very standard offering formula!

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

π“Š©π“Ή – Osiris

𓏅 – Foremost 

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

The inscription reads: β€œAn Offering the King Gives Osiris, Foremost of the West.”

Look forward to a Part 𓏻 about the back of this piece!Β 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Thoth on a Coffin

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ – with the god π“ŠΉ of writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ himself, Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭! I love Thoth 𓅝because I love hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and he’s my second favorite Egyptian deity!Β Let’s take a look at a depiction of Thoth on a coffin!

Thoth on a Coffin
Thoth on a Coffin depicted as an Ibis with a human body.

This photo 𓏏𓅱𓏏 shows some details on the mummiform coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 of a man named Kharrushere who lived during the Third Intermediate Period/22nd Dynasty (c. 825–712 B.C.E.). Elaborately decorated coffins 𓅱𓇋𓀾π“ͺ are very typical of this time period and I love just looking at them and enjoying the beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 art!

Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭 was represented in multiple ways, and was always associated with either the baboon or the ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀. When in humanoid form (like on this coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾), he was represented as a human body with the head of an ibis 𓉔𓃀𓅀. 

Let’s break down the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ that are to the left of Thoth! 

π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– – Words Spoken By

π“…€ – Thoth (β€œDjeuty” in Middle Egyptian)

π“ŽŸ – Lord

π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ – Hieroglyphs (β€œDivine Words/Writing”)

Thoth π“…€π“€­ was thought to have invented writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, and was thus the god π“ŠΉ of all record keeping, hence the epithet β€œLord of the Divine Words/Writing π“ŽŸπ“ŠΉπ“Œƒ.” Due to his vast knowledge, π“‚‹π“π“π“œ Thoth π“Ÿ was thought to know magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ and secrets π“ƒ€π“‹΄π“†Ÿπ“›π“¦ that were unknown to the rest of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon. He was also the god π“ŠΉ of scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ.

Thoth π“…€ has many ways to write his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs! Here are a few of them: 

π“…€π“€­ 

π“…€

𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭

𓅝𓏏𓏭

π“Ÿ

Most of the deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon have many variations of ways to write their names in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost without permission.

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Memphis Triad

While Harry, Ron, and Hermione are most definitely my favorite trio of all time, the Memphis Triad comes pretty close!! In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, groups of three 𓏼 gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are referred to as β€œtriads” by Egyptologists! Triads were groups of gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that usually had some type of familial significance to each other. Father 𓇋𓏏𓀀-Mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐-Child π“π“‡Œπ“€• triads and family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 units were extremely important to Egyptian culture!

The Memphis Triad
Ptah (left), Sekhmet (middle) and Imhotep (right) make up the Memphis Triad

The triads were usually made into a single statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, however, at the MET they have displayed these three 𓏼 statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ together to form a triad which I think is so cool! This triad is known as the Memphis Triad, which consisted of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“€­ (left), Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ (middle) and Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ (right). 

The Memphis Triad could also be Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“, and Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯. Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 was the son π“…­ of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± and Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ in mythology. However, during the Ptolemaic times (which is when these bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are dated to), Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was widely worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a god π“ŠΉ, and he kind of replaced Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 in the triad! Since Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was regarded by the Greeks as the Son π“…­ of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, this unofficially made Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“ his mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐! 

Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ, meaning β€œHe who comes in peace,” was a non-royal man who became deified.  Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was not deified in his lifetime – it was 2,000 𓆼𓆼 years after his death that he began to be worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a god π“ŠΉ by the Greeks. 

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