Tag: the met

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Egyptian Artifacts

Lord of the Nine Bows

Did you know that Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 was referred to as the β€œLord π“ŽŸ of the Nine Bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏” in certain religious texts? The most famous example of the use of this title for Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is from the Pyramid Texts! Let’s take a closer look at what this means! 

The β€œnine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏” was a phrase that was used to refer to the enemies of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. Egyptologists and historians actually still don’t know the exact countries or territories were represented by the nine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏, but they are agreed to be foreign lands.Β 

Lord of the Nine Bows
Anubis, the Lord of the Nine Bows on a scarab/seal on display at the MET.

In statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ can be depicted standing on nine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏, however on scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ or seals such as this one pictured, the nine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏 are represented by the images of nine captives with their hands tied behind their backs. A recumbent jackal (aka Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣) is seen presiding over the nine captives. 

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is most commonly known as the god π“ŠΉ of mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž, however, in many early myths he had proven himself in battle hence why he was given the title β€œLord π“ŽŸ of the Nine Bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏.” 

Seals such as these were popular in the Theban necropolis during the 18th Dynasty. This is such a small piece, but one that contains so much meaning. I of course love it because I look for any representation of Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 that I can find!Β 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ on Instagram and TikTok

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Video

Large Granite Statue of Hatshepsut – Video

This large red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is large and majestic and one of the most beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋!Β 

The most striking aspect of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 besides the size is the fact that Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ face, which displays feminine features, remained pretty much intact! Many of Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ have the faces destroyed, possibly in an attempt to destroy her image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 so she would be forgotten from history.

Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is in a kneeling position holding a nemset jar π“Œπ“Ί in each hand 𓂧𓏏𓏺. In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, kneeling is considered a worshipping 𓇼𓄿𓀒/offering π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ𓏏𓏔𓏦 position. A pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 only kneels to another god π“ŠΉ, who in this case is probably Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί.

Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is depicted wearing the nemes π“ˆ–π“…“π“‹΄ head cloth and the false beard which was typical fashion for a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻!

The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the back of the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 show her throne name, Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓. 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Life” in Hieroglyphs

Life, Vita, π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“.

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

"Life" in Hieroglyphs
“Life” in hieroglyphs written on papyrus.

This is a piece of papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 with the word β€œLife π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“β€ written on it. To the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ, words were powerful because if something was written down, it was put into existence for all eternity 𓆖. This is why they put such importance on preserving the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 and name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 person. This is also probably why Rameses II usurped as many statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of previous pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ as he could and put his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– on them!

Many Egyptian phrases mention life π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“, such as the most popular ones like β€œGiven Life 𓏙𓋹,β€œ β€œGiven Life for Eternity 𓏙𓋹𓆖,” and β€œGiven Life, Stability and Strength π“™π“‹Ήπ“Š½π“Œ€.” 

In Middle Egyptian, β€œLife” can be either written as: 

π“‹Ή – just the single β€œankh” symbol 

π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“ – the full word written out (which is what is pictured) 

The lone π“‹Ή symbol is a triliteral phonogram with the sound β€œΛnḫ” which is commonly pronounced as β€œankh.” The word β€œΛnḫ” means life on its own! 

The two phonograms that follow after the π“‹Ή are phonetic complements, meaning that the sounds they represent aren’t pronounced a second time, but they are used to show the reader how the triliteral symbol is pronounced! In hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, some symbols can have multiple pronunciations depending on how the symbol is used, so the phonetic complements help to clear up any confusion!  

The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” The β€œπ“β€ is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«.” So these to uniliteral phonograms complement the sound of the π“‹Ή symbol! 

Both ways to write β€œlife” are common, though the lone β€œ 𓋹” is what most people are familiar with. β€œπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“β€ is used more in full inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, while β€œπ“‹Ήβ€ is used in phrases like the ones mentioned above since it is shorter to write. You can think of it as an official abbreviation!

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
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 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Amduat (Part II)

This is Part 𓏻 of my posts on the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐!Β Please check out Post I first!

Here are some close up pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 of the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 of a woman named Gautsoshen who lived during the 21st Dynasty. Sorry the pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 are a little blurry – it is difficult to get good pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 because of the way the display is! 

The images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 on the papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 illustrate the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐, which Gautsoshen (and other deceased people) would travel through with Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 over the twelve π“Ž†π“» hours of the night π“ŽΌπ“‚‹π“Ž›π“„›.Β 

The Amduat
Picture 1: Gautsoshen standing before Osiris and Selket

The first picture (above) shows Gautsoshen standing before Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ and the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Selket π“Šƒπ“‚‹π“ˆŽπ“π“. Selket π“‹΄π“‚‹π“ˆŽπ“π“†« is one of the four 𓏽 goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ tasked with protecting the mummy.Β 

The Amduat
Picture 2: Ra descending into the Duat

The second picture (above) shows Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 (and by default, Gautsoshen) descending into the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐, which is symbolically the sun 𓇳𓏺 setting in the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ. Many of the characters that dwell in the Duat are depicted, such as the two 𓏻 lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ who represent the east 𓋁𓃀𓏏𓏭 and the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ.Β 

Can you spot the variant for β€œAmduat 𓇋𓏢𓇼𓏏𓉐” in this picture?!

The Amduat
Picture 3: This image shows various deities, the most prominent being the hare-headed deities on the right.

The third picture (above) is a continuation of the second, and it shows two hare-headed deities. The female hare-headed deity is the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Wenet/Unut π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“π“, who had the titles β€œLady of the Hour” and β€œThe Swift One.” Her companion, the male hare god π“ŠΉ is actually one of the late-period depictions of Osiris π“Š©π“Ή. As a hare, he took the name Un-nefer/Wennefer 𓃹𓄀𓀭. While not a super popular goddess π“ŠΉπ“, π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“π“ is mentioned in the Pyramid Texts and the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺, as well as the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓇼𓏏𓉐.Β 

A bunch of the variants for the word β€œDuat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐” appear on the papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛! Can you spot them?

𓇽𓏏𓉐

𓇽𓉐

𓇼𓏏𓉐

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Amduat (Part 1)

Believe it or not, not every funerary papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is actually a copy of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺! These two 𓏻 papyrus scrolls 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 which belonged to a woman named Gautsoshen are actually a copy of the β€œAmduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.”

The Amduat
A copy of the Amduat, on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The word β€œAmduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐” is Middle Egyptian for β€œThat Which is in the Netherworld.” In modern times this text is known as β€œThe Book of the Hidden Chamber” and is a separate entity from the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. 

Until the 21st Dynasty, the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 was reserved exclusively for pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ and usually appeared on the walls of tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ. The oldest version of the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 is in the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 in the Valley of the Kings. The walls of the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 also contain the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

The Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 is the journey that Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 takes from the time the sun 𓇳𓏺 sets in the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ and then rises in the east 𓋁𓃀𓏏𓏭. The story takes place over the twelve π“Ž†π“» hours of the night, and each hour represents different deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ  (both friends and enemies) that the deceased person/Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 will encounter. 

Let’s break down the word β€œAmduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.” 

𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭 – β€œBeing In” or β€œThat Which is In” 

𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 – Duat (Netherworld/Afterlife)Β 

Why is the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 referred to as the Netherworld and not the more popular term “Underworld?” The Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 is not underneath the current plane of living (like in Greek mythology or Christian faith) according to the Egyptian religion. The Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 exists in an in-between plane that doesn’t have a designated place.

This papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is dated to the 21st Dynasty (c. 1000–945 B.C.E.), which is right when the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 started being written on papyrus instead of on the walls of tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“ͺ.

Please read Part II of my post on the Amduat 𓇋𓏢𓅓𓏭𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐!Β 

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 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

False Door of Metjetji

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, we are going to be looking at a section of a False Door from the tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ of an official π“‹΄π“‚‹π“€€ named Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋. Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 lived during the Fifth or Sixth Dynasties (Old Kingdom) during the reign π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Unas π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹΄ or slightly later.Β 

False Door of Metjetji
The False Door of Metjetji which contains a list of offerings for his use in the afterlife.

On the False Door, we see Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 on the left sitting in front of an offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃. The offering table 𓂝𓃀𓅑𓄿𓋃 seems to have a lot of jars on it! The hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that we see are a part of the offering formula! 

Fun fact: usually the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the person is facing the same way as the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!  Since the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ (and also Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋) are pointing to the right, we will start reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ from the right! Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are always read from top to bottom, so we will read that way as well!  

This is a list of all of the things that Metjetji 𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 needs in order to sustain him in the afterlife! 

𓇓𓏏𓀻 – King’s Nobleman/King’s Gentleman

𓅓𓍿𓍿𓇋 – Metjetji

𓆼𓏐- A thousand bread

𓆼𓃾 – A thousand ox 

𓆼𓅿 – A thousand fowl 

𓆼𓍲 – A thousand alabaster (I think this is a mistake – it should be β€œπ“±β€ and not β€œπ“²β€)

𓆼𓋲 – A thousand linen 

𓆼𓏖 – A thousand round loafs of bread

π“†Όπ“Š – A thousand beer

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

Categories
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 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Perfect, Beautiful, Neferet

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a very popular word that appears a lot in ancient Egyptian writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! The word β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹/𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏” translates to β€œbeautiful,” β€œperfect,” or β€œgood” and can be used not only in titles such as β€œπ“ŠΉπ“„€ Perfect God” or names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ such as β€œNefertiti π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“„€π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“„€π“‡π“˜π“»π“—,” but also in various words or phrases too! 

In Middle Egyptian there are a couple of ways to write β€œbeautiful,” β€œperfect,” or β€œgood:” 

π“„€ – the hieroglyphic symbol β€œnfr” (nefer) can be used on its own to represent the word. 

𓄀𓆑𓂋 – this would also be pronounced as β€œnfr” (nefer) as the sounds by the uniliteral phonograms would not be repeated. 

𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏 – this would be pronounced as β€œnfrt,” (neferet) as this is the female form of the word! This is the one that is in my picture! 

When determinatives are used, the meaning of this word can change so be careful! β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“π“β€ with the woman determinative means β€œbeautiful woman” while β€œπ“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“π“ƒ’β€ with the cow determinative means cow! Determinatives can totally change the meaning of the word!Β 

Neferet
Neferet in hieroglyphs from a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus at the MET.

Let’s break down the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Since the horned viper 𓆑 is pointing to the left, we will start reading from the left! 

The β€œheart and windpipe 𓄀” symbol is a triliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œnfr” which in modern times we pronounce like β€œnefer.”

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. As a stand-alone symbol, it can also mean he/his. 

The β€œ mouth – 𓂋” is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œr” and can be an ideogram for the word β€œmouth 𓂋𓏺.” 

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! 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ