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 

Categories
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!

@ancientegyptblog

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. #ancientEgypt #egyptianhistory #egyptianmythology #ancientegyptblog #anticoegitto #egyptology #brooklynmuseum #anubis #egitto

♬ original sound – ancientegyptblog Nicole Lesar

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. 

@ancientegyptblog 

Categories
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. 

Categories
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 

Categories
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. 

Categories
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. 

Categories
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.