Tag: cleopatra’s needle

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Cleopatra’s Needle (Part 2)

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This is my second post on Cleopatra’s Needle and here is a link to the first!

This obelisk 𓉢 was commissioned to be built by Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 during his 18th Dynasty reign to highlight his military victories. On the obelisk 𓉢, not only can you see Thutmosis III’s 𓇳𓏠𓆣 throne name cartouche, but you can also see both the throne name and birth name of the 19th Dynasty pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II! Rameses II usurped this monument, as he did with the monuments of many past pharaohs! He not only put his cartouches, but at the top of the obelisk 𓉢 his Horus Name also appears in the serekh! 

Cleopatra's Needle
A closeup image of the hieroglyphs on Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park!

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣 is Thutmosis III’s throne name and it appears multiple times on the obelisk. The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œLasting is the Manifestation of Ra.”

𓇳 – Ra

𓏠 – Lasting

𓆣 – Manifestation

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œRamessu Mery Amun π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“β€ is Rameses II’s birth name. The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun,” but could also be translated as β€œRa Bore Him, Beloved of Amun.”

𓁩 – Amun

𓁛 – Ra

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved

π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Bore Him/Fashioned Him/Born Of

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œUsermaatre setep en Ra π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–β€ is Rameses II’s throne name and translates to β€œThe Justice of Ra is powerful, Chosen of Ra.”

𓇳 – Ra

π“„Š – Powerful

𓁧 – Justice (Maat)

𓇳 – Ra

π“‰π“ˆ– – Chosen

Can you spot the three different cartouches in my picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏? I will probably be doing another post on the inscriptions and their meaning so look out for that post too!

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Cleopatra’s Needle (Part 1)

β€œCleopatra’s Needle” aka the Obelisk 𓉢 in Central Park is one of the most beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 sights in Manhattan!

Cleopatra's Needle
Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park

This obelisk 𓉢 (and another, which now resides in London) was not commissioned by Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇; in fact, it was commissioned by Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 during his 18th Dynasty reign. The obelisks 𓉢 stood at the city of Heliopolis at one of Thutmosis III’s 𓇳𓏠𓆣 temples. The obelisk 𓉢 is made out of β€œAswan π“‹΄π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Š– granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆβ€ which was the third most used rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™ by the ancient Egyptians!

Cleopatra's Needle
Me with Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park

When the obelisks were discovered by the Romans, they were moved from Heliopolis to Alexandria and placed at a temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ dedicated to Julius Caesar. The temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ was commissioned by Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇, which is probably why the obelisks have the nickname β€œCleopatra’s Needle.” 

Cleopatra's Needle
A closeup of me and Cleopatra’s Needle in Central Park!

The two obelisks were given by the Egyptian government as gifts; one is in London, and one is in Central Park in NYC! The obelisk is super close to the MET, so it’s great to go and see before or after your museum trip! 

Cleopatra's Needle
William the Hippo with the obelisk!

I’m going to do another post about the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the obelisk 𓉢, so here is the link to that post!

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!