Today ππππ³ we are going to look at one of the most common and recognizable uniliteral phonogram hieroglyphic symbols: the owl π !Β
The Owl Hieroglyph
A uniliteral sign is a hieroglyphic symbol that corresponds to a single sound, just like a letter in the alphabet. The βowl π β symbol represents the sound of βmβ and it has many different uses!
The βowl π β symbol is one that appears in inscriptions all the time and is most commonly seen as part of other words! Some words that use the βowl π β symbol are:
π π – Overseer
ππ ππ – Kemet (Egypt)
π πππ – Papyrus Roll
Of course these are not all the words that contain the βowl π β symbol!
But what happens if the βowl π β symbol appears by itself in an inscription and isnβt part of another word? The βowl π β symbol has its own meaning when it appears alone! Itβs one of those words in a sentence that can kind of βmean what we need it toβ in English! I guess it functions as the all-around preposition!
For example, the βowl π β hieroglyph can mean: In, On, At, By, With, and As! This symbol has so many meanings/uses!Β
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Today ππππ³ we are going to look at one of my absolute favorite wooden π±ππΊ coffins π΄π ±πππ± from the Middle Kingdom! The art of ancient Egypt really started to develop during the Middle Kingdom times, and the beautifully π€ππ painted wooden π±ππΊ coffins π΄π ±πππ± and their hieroglyphic πΉππͺ inscriptions πππ₯ are just captivating! The paint π¨ππ ±ππΈπ¦ and the colors are just exquisite and have really stood the test of time!
When I go to the MET, sometimes I just sit on the floor in front of this coffin π΄π ±πππ± to 1) just stare at its beauty π€ππ and 2) to take a break!
This coffin π΄π ±πππ± belonged to Khnumnakht, an individual who lived during the 12th-13th Dynasties (c. 1850-1750B.C.E.). Khnumnakht is known only by the name ππ on his coffin π΄π ±πππ±; Egyptologists donβt know anything else about him or his life πΉππ!Β
May He Live Every Day Like Ra
Letβs read some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! Here is what the inscription ππ ±π says:
πΉπ – May He Live
π³πΊπ – Every Day
ππ³πΊ – Like Ra
The little βstrokes πΊβ within the symbols 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 πΉππͺ are spaced out correctly and appear in even lines on the coffin π΄π ±πππ±!
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Here is Week 7 π of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs πΉππͺ/Middle Egyptian doesnβt have to be difficult!
Letβs read some Hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! Here is Week 7 π of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs πΉππͺ/Middle Egyptian doesnβt have to be difficult! 1. God πΉ, π 2. Goddess πΉπ 3. To Be/To Exist πΉππ, πΉπ 4. Godβs Mother πΉππ , πΉπ 5. Given Life Like Ra ππΉπ³πΊπ 6. Lord of the Two Lands ππΏπΏ 7. True of Voice ππ€, ππ ±ππ€ These are all words/phrases that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time youβre at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! This is my personal photograph/video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt#egyptianhistory#egyptologist#ancient_egypt#historytok#egyptology#hieroglyphs#hieroglyphics#letsreadsomehieroglyphs#languagelearning
These are all words/phrases that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time youβre at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words!
This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost.
Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!
Letβs read some Hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! What does the popular Middle Egyptian phrase βGodβs Mother πΉπ β mean? Before we delve into the meaning, letβs break down the hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!Β
“God’s Mother” in raised relief on display at the MET
βGodβs Motherβ can be written three ways in hieroglyphs:
πΉππ
πΉπ π
πΉπ
This phrase is a combination of two different words: the word βGod πΉβ and the word βMother π ππ/π π/ππ π.β
The βcloth on a pole πΉβ hieroglyph is an ideogram for the word god. πΉ is also a triliteral phonogram, and represents the letters βntrβ which may have been pronounced like βneterβ or βnetjer.β πΉ Is also a determinative for βgod.β So the βcloth on a pole πΉβ symbol can function as all three types of hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! If you see this symbol, you are most likely looking at a word that has to do with the gods πΉπΉπΉ!
The βvulture π β is a triliteral phonogram and represents the sounds βmjt/mwtβ which we infer would be pronounced like βmut.β
The βflat loaf of bread πβ is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound βt.β
The phrase βGodβs Mother πΉπ β can have two different (but related) meanings in Middle Egyptian inscriptions. It can be used to refer to the goddess πΉπ Isis π¨ππ₯ and will usually appear after her name ππ in inscriptions. This is in reference to the fact that Isis π¨ππ₯ is the mother π ππ of Horus π π, who is the mythological ruler of Egypt ππ ππ and the pharaoh ππ» was thought to be a representation of Horus π π on Earth.
This brings us to the next meaning of this phrase! The phrase βGodβs Mother πΉπ β was an honorific title held by the woman who gave birth to the current pharaoh ππ»! Since the pharaoh ππ» was a god on Earth, the woman who gave birth to him/her was quite literally the Godβs Mother πΉπ !Β
Another variant of “God’s Mother” painted on a piece of a sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum
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Here is Week 6 πΏ of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs πΉππͺ/Middle Egyptian doesnβt have to be difficult!
This week I had a gods πΉπΉπΉ and goddesses πΉπΉπΉπ theme!
Letβs read some Hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! Here is Week 6 πΏ of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs πΉππͺ/Middle Egyptian doesnβt have to be difficult! This week I had a gods πΉπΉπΉ and goddesses πΉπΉπΉπ theme! 1. Duamutef πΌπ ππ, πΌπππ 2. Hapi πππͺπ, ππͺπ 3. Qebehsenuef ππ’π’π’π, πππππ’ππ₯π, ππ’π’π’ππ 4. Imseti ππ ππΏ, πππ΄ππ 5. Montu π ππΏπ ±, π ππΏπ ±π 6. Sobek π΄ππ‘π, π΄ππ‘π 7. Nephthys π , πππππ These are all words that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time youβre at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! This is my personal photograph/video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt#egyptianhistory#egyptologist#historytok#languagelearning#hieroglyphs#hieroglyphics#egyptology#letsreadsomehieroglyphs#ancient_egypt
Letβs read some Hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! In ancient Egypt many pharaohs had five names! This stela ππ ±ππΈ is one of my absolute favorite pieces because depicts Hatshepsut ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ and Thutmosis III π³π π£ during their joint reign. Hatshepsut ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ is wearing the blue crown π£πππ and making an offering of nemset jars πππ to Amun-Ra ππ ππ³πΊ. The stela ππ ±ππΈ was meant to commemorate restoration works in Thebes πππ! The most interesting parts about this stela is that it is one of two pieces (that I know of) that contains Hatshepsutβs entire titulary in one place! The only other place I know that has all of Hatshepsutβs ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ names πππ¦ is the Obelisk at Karnak. Letβs take a closer look at all of Hatshepsutβs ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ names πππ¦! The names πππ¦ can be found on the top two rows of hieroglyphs πΉππͺ on the bottom of the stela ππ ±ππΈ! Horus Name: ππ΄ππππ – βWosretkauβ translates to βThe Mighty of the Kasβ or βThe Mighty of the Souls.β Nebty Name: π π ππ³π³π³ – βWadjet renputβ translates to βFlourishing of Years.β Golden Horus Name: π πΉπππ¦ – βNetjeret khauβ translates to βDivine of Appearances.β Throne Name: π³π¦π – βMaatkareβ translates to βTruth is the Soul of Re.β Birth Name: ππ ππΉππΌ – βKhnemet Amun Hatshepsutβ translates to βUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.β This version of the Birth Name that appears on this stela is a variant of ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ. A βvariantβ is just a different way to spell out a personβs name ππ! Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! This is my personal video, photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt#egyptianhistory#egyptologist#historytok#languagelearning#hieroglyphs#hieroglyphics#pharaoh#hatshepsut#vaticanmuseum#metropolitanmuseum
This stela ππ ±ππΈ is one of my absolute favorite pieces because depicts Hatshepsut ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ and Thutmosis III π³π π£ during their joint reign. Hatshepsut ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ is wearing the blue crown π£πππ and making an offering of nemset jars πππ to Amun-Ra ππ ππ³πΊ. The stela ππ ±ππΈ was meant to commemorate restoration works in Thebes πππ!
The most interesting parts about this stela is that it is one of two pieces (that I know of) that contains Hatshepsutβs entire titulary in one place! The only other place I know that has all of Hatshepsutβs ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ names πππ¦ is the Obelisk at Karnak.
Letβs take a closer look at all of Hatshepsutβs ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ names πππ¦! The names πππ¦ can be found on the top two rows of hieroglyphs πΉππͺ on the bottom of the stela ππ ±ππΈ!
Horus Name: ππ΄ππππ – βWosretkauβ translates to βThe Mighty of the Kasβ or βThe Mighty of the Souls.β
The Horus Name of Hatshepsut
Nebty Name: π π ππ³π³π³ – βWadjet renputβ translates to βFlourishing of Years.β
The Nebty Name of Hatshepsut
Golden Horus Name: π πΉπππ¦ – βNetjeret khauβ translates to βDivine of Appearances.β
The Golden Horus Name of Hatshepsut
Throne Name: π³π¦π – βMaatkareβ translates to βTruth is the Soul of Re.β
The Throne Name of Hatshepsut
Birth Name: ππ ππΉππΌ – βKhnemet Amun Hatshepsutβ translates to βUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.β This version of the Birth Name that appears on this stela is a variant of ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ. A βvariantβ is just a different way to spell out a personβs name ππ!
The Birth Name of Hatshepsut
If you watch the video on TikTok below, there is music accompanying the images! I hope you enjoyed learning about The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut!
Letβs read some Hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! In ancient Egypt many pharaohs had five names! This stela ππ ±ππΈ is one of my absolute favorite pieces because depicts Hatshepsut ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ and Thutmosis III π³π π£ during their joint reign. Hatshepsut ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ is wearing the blue crown π£πππ and making an offering of nemset jars πππ to Amun-Ra ππ ππ³πΊ. The stela ππ ±ππΈ was meant to commemorate restoration works in Thebes πππ! The most interesting parts about this stela is that it is one of two pieces (that I know of) that contains Hatshepsutβs entire titulary in one place! The only other place I know that has all of Hatshepsutβs ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ names πππ¦ is the Obelisk at Karnak. Letβs take a closer look at all of Hatshepsutβs ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ names πππ¦! The names πππ¦ can be found on the top two rows of hieroglyphs πΉππͺ on the bottom of the stela ππ ±ππΈ! Horus Name: ππ΄ππππ – βWosretkauβ translates to βThe Mighty of the Kasβ or βThe Mighty of the Souls.β Nebty Name: π π ππ³π³π³ – βWadjet renputβ translates to βFlourishing of Years.β Golden Horus Name: π πΉπππ¦ – βNetjeret khauβ translates to βDivine of Appearances.β Throne Name: π³π¦π – βMaatkareβ translates to βTruth is the Soul of Re.β Birth Name: ππ ππΉππΌ – βKhnemet Amun Hatshepsutβ translates to βUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.β This version of the Birth Name that appears on this stela is a variant of ππ ππΉππππΌπͺ. A βvariantβ is just a different way to spell out a personβs name ππ! Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! This is my personal video, photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt#egyptianhistory#egyptologist#historytok#languagelearning#hieroglyphs#hieroglyphics#pharaoh#hatshepsut#vaticanmuseum#metropolitanmuseum
Letβs read some Hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! It’s time for Week 5 of my Hieroglyphic Vocabulary!
In the video above is Week 5 πΎ of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs πΉππͺ/Middle Egyptian doesnβt have to be difficult!
Letβs read some Hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! Here is Week 5 πΎ of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs πΉππͺ/Middle Egyptian doesnβt have to be difficult! 1. Voice Offering/Invocation Offering π 2. Son of Ra π π³ 3. Before ππ 4. Priest/High Priest πΉπ 5. Lord, Master, All, Possessor π 6. Image, Likeness, Statue, Figure ππ ±π, ππ ±ππΎ 7. Kingβs Acquaintance ππππ/ πππππ (female), ππππ / πππ (male) These are all words that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time youβre at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! This is my personal photographs/video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt#egyptianhistory#letsreadsomehieroglyphs#egyptologist#hieroglyphs#hieroglyphics#egypt#languagelearning#historytok
Letβs read some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! Today ππππ³ we are going to be looking at a word that I use frequently in my descriptions, βππ ±π,β which translates to βimage,β βlikeness,β βstatue,β or βfigure.β
The word “Image” in hieroglyphs from a papyrus on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
I also utilize this particular word to translate the words βpictureβ and βphotoβ because that would be the closest Middle Egyptian to English translation! For the word βstatue,β the βπΎβ determinative is put at the end of the word so it would be spelled like βππ ±ππΎ.βΒ
The importance of the visual representation of the deities πΉπΉπΉ was embedded in ancient Egyptian religion and culture. For example, when the pharaoh ππ» was alive, he/she was thought to be the living image ππ ±ππΉ of the God πΉ Horus π π.
The Egyptians built temples ππππͺ and shrines πππ πππ¦ to their gods πΉπΉπΉ and goddesses πΉπΉπΉπ because they believed that the gods πΉπΉπΉ could be approached and prayed to through the statues ππ ±ππΎπͺ that resided in these places of worship. The statues ππ ±ππͺ or βimages of the godsβ were thought to be the actual deity and were thus treated with great reverence ππͺπ ± and respect.
Another example is that when a personβs name ππ was written down in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ, it meant that the person would live πΉ forever ππ³π. The visual representation of a personβs name ππ had the power to give the person eternal π life πΉ. This is why pharaohs wanted their name on as many monuments as possible – their name ππ in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ had immense power!
Letβs break down the symbols in the word βππ ±π!β
The βQuail Chick π ±β is a super common symbol that you will see in a lot of inscriptions! It is a uniliteral phonogram sign, which means it has the sound of a single consonant. The βπ ±β is representative of the sound βwβ or βu.β This symbol is also an ideogram for the word βchick π ±πΊ.β
The βflat loaf of bread πβ is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound βt.β It also functions as the ideogram for the word βbread ππΊ.β
So why did I choose to highlight this particular word? βππ ±πβ was one of the first words that I learned when I was first starting to read hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! The reason is because it is part of Tutankhamunβs ππ πππ ±ππΉπΎπΊπ cartouche, which translates to βLiving Image of Amun!βΒ
Here is a breakdown of Tutankhamunβs ππ πππ ±ππΉπΎπΊπ name ππ:
ππ π – Amun
ππ ±π – Tut (image)
πΉ – Ankh (life/living)
πΎ – Ruler
πΊ – of/on
π – Upper Egypt
As a side note, I am a visual learner, and I think thatβs why Iβm really great at things like reading hieroglyphs πΉππͺ and geology – both are topics which require the brain to use images and visuals over other types of processing. Even when I speak English and Italian I see the words in my head as if they are subtitles so I think my visual brain is why I am good at languages! Plus I always say that rocks are the hieroglyphs πΉππͺ of the Earth, so I am grouping geology in with languages too!Β Despite the auditory nature of languages, for me, they are actually more visual.
This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.Β
Letβs read some Hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! Today ππππ³ we are going to be looking at the birth name cartouche π πππ· of the pharaoh ππ» Akhenaten ππππ³π ππ!Β
The Birth Name cartouche of pharaoh Akhenaten on display at the Vatican Museum
Now, calling this his βbirth nameβ cartouche π πππ· is a little misleading because Akhenatenβs ππππ³π ππ birth name wasnβt actually βAkhenaten!β The name ππ that Akhenaten ππππ³π ππ was given when he was born was Amenhotep ππ ππ΅πΉπΎπ, and since he was the fourth pharaoh ππ» with that name ππ, Egyptologists have called him βAmenhotep IV ππ ππ΅πΉπΎπ.β
Why did Akhenaten ππππ³π ππ change his name ππ from Amenhotep ππ ππ΅πΉπΎπ to Akhenaten ππππ³π ππ during year five πΎ of his reign? The change in name ππ reflects the religious revolution that was happening at the time. Akhenaten ππππ³π ππ is famous for disrupting the entire Egyptian religious tradition and changing it from a polytheistic worship of the traditional pantheon to a monotheistic worship of the Aten ππππ³.
Letβs break down the meaning of Akhenatenβs name ππ!
ππππ³ – Aten
π π – Spirit
π – Of
The Cartouche of Akhenaten with the meaning of the hieroglyphs written next to the symbols.
So all together, the name βAkhenatenβ translates to βSpirit of the Aten.βΒ
One of the greatest things about reading cartouches π πππ·πͺ is that practicing with them will allow you to begin to understand hieroglyphs πΉππͺ much more easily! The names of the pharaohs ππ» contain many common symbols, words, and phrases in Middle Egyptian! One of the ways I started learning was by reading the cartouches π πππ·πͺ!
This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost.
Letβs read some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! Today ππππ³ we are going to be looking at the word/phrase “A Voice Offering βπ.”
The composite hieroglyph symbol for “A Voice Offering” painted on a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus at the MET.
π is classified as a composite hieroglyph πΉπ. A composite hieroglyph πΉπ is a single hieroglyphic symbol that is actually a combination of multiple symbols! The individual symbols do not lose their phonetic meaning when they become the composite hieroglyph πΉπ, instead they combine to just make a multi-consonant symbol! Composite hieroglyphs πΉππͺ can be phonograms, ideograms, or determinatives too!Β
While a lot of the composite hieroglyphs πΉππͺ are combinations of two π» symbols, βπβ is actually a combination of four π½ symbols! I like to think of composite hieroglyphs πΉππͺ as a math equation:
π = π + π€ + π + π
Here is the modern name, (and sound value in parentheses) designated to each of the symbols that are part of π:
π – House Plan (pr)
π€ – Oar (αΈ«rw)
π – Bread (t)
π – Beer Jug (usually a determinative like in this case, but can be hnw on occasion)
π would be pronounced like βprt-αΈ«rw.βΒ
Another example of the phrase “A Voice Offering” from a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus on display at the MET.
In terms of meaning, βπβ is classified as an ideogram (a single symbol that takes on the meaning of a full word) for the phrase βinvocation offeringβ or βvoice offeringβ and is a part of the standard offering formula that is seen on stelae ππ ±ππΈπͺ, false doors, sarcophagi ππΉππππͺ/coffins π΄π ±πππ±π¦ and other funerary equipment πππ΄πππ.Β
You can read my full translation for the sarcophagus pictured above here. You can also watch the video of the translation here!
Why are bread π and beer π highlighted in such a popular inscription that persisted for thousands of years? Bread π and beer π were pretty much the staples of the ancient Egyptian diet and they needed enough food π¬ππ ±ππ₯ in the Duat πΌπΏππ too!
π Is definitely a great symbol to recognize because it is very common and part of a very common inscription. The pictures ππ ±ππ¦ in this post are both from Middle Kingdom sarcophagi ππΉππππͺ at the MET.
These are my personal photographs and original text. DO NOT repost.
