Tag: gods and goddesses

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Amun-Ra in Hieroglyphs

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at an inscription that appears on aΒ  β€œDoorjamb from a Temple of Rameses II” which is on display at the MET. Since this is from the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“, we can easily date the inscription to the 19th Dynasty! This piece is made of red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ which is both a highly durable and very beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™. The durability of the red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ has allowed the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ to stay so well preserved for so long!

Amun-Ra

Here is a breakdown of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

π“ŽŸπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Thrones

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved

All together the inscription reads β€œBeloved of Amun-Ra, Lord of the Thrones.” 

So why is the inscription written/translated the way it is? β€œAmun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ίβ€ is written first but said last due to what is called β€œhonorific transposition.” Out of respect for the god π“ŠΉ, their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is written first but said last in the sentence! In English (and other languages like Italian) we have something similar to this – we say β€œten dollars” but write it as β€œdollars ten” – $10! 

β€œLord of the Thrones π“ŽŸπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώβ€ is an epithet which is kind of like a title that is written after the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ so it both written and pronounced after the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ. 

This type of inscription commonly appears after the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· which is the oval enclosure that distinguished the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 from other hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in inscriptions. In my picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 you can even see the bottom part of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·!

When you first start learning how to read hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ it seems like a puzzle but it definitely gets so much easier with practice!Β 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

This section of a papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is from the β€œFunerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht” which is dated to the Ramesside Period (New Kingdom c. 1320–1200 B.C.E.). Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 was the tax master π“ˆ™π“π“΄π“‚‘ (I’m sure he was popular) and this high position is what allowed him to have such a gorgeous funerary papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛!

This entire papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is composed of what has been called Chapter 168 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺, otherwise known as the “Chapter of Offerings.” However, most of the time this text is found alone and not with other parts of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 (as is the case with this papyrus) and is considered now to be its own text and not necessarily a part of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. 

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

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht
A section of the “Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht”

The two sections of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ point in two different directions; the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ above the Falcon headed god Osiris-Wennefer π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹ point to the right while the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ above Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 point to the left. We are going to start with the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ above Osiris-Wennefer π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹.Β 

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Here is the text all together: π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“„π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ

Here are the individual phrases broken down:

π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– – Words Spoken By 

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹ – Osiris Wennefer

𓏄 – Foremost

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Here is the translation: β€œWords Spoken By Osiris-Wennefer, Foremost of the West.” This is a super common introduction for a god in a funerary text. It also lets you know who is depicted in the images!Β 

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Before we read the next section of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, let’s take a look at some of the art! On his shoulder, Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 is holding the goddess Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ while he is holding up his other hand in adoration of the god Osiris-Wennefer π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹. Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ is the goddess of truth π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„ and justice π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„π“œ and we know it’s her because of the feather 𓆄 that’s on her head!Β 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! We are going to be reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that are above Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽. These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ point to the left so we will start reading them from the left!Β 

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Here is the text all together: π“π“‡Όπ“€’π“ˆ–π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“„π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠπ“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“‰»π“‚π“›π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“π“΄π“‚‘π“„“π“‰π“€π“ƒ©π“π“‚‘π“€½

Here are the individual phrases broken down:

𓏏𓇼𓀒 – Praise/Worship (should actually be written as β€œπ“‡Όπ“π“€’β€)

π“ˆ– – of

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

𓏄 – Foremost

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – The Osiris

𓉻𓂝𓏛 – Great

π“ˆ– – the/of

π“ˆ™π“π“΄π“‚‘ – Tax Master 

𓄓𓉐𓏀 – Overseer

𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 – Sethnakht

Here is the translation: β€œPraise for Osiris, Foremost of the West, the Osiris, the Great Tax Master, the Overseer Sethnakht.” 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Geb’s Laughter and Earthquakes

Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳 was quite the interesting day in NY as we experienced an earthquake π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύ in the morning and an aftershock in the evening! We don’t have earthquakes π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύπ“¦ in NY very often so it was quite the experience for many of us! 

The ancient Egyptians believed that Geb’s 𓅬𓃀𓀭 laughter is what caused earthquakes π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύπ“¦ to happen! Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 is the god π“ŠΉ of the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface, which the ancient Egyptians called the Upper Earth. Anything that occurred on the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface was considered to be Geb’s 𓅬𓃀𓀭 domain! 

The deity Tatanen 𓁯 is often associated with things that come from the interior of the Earth 𓇾𓇾 (Lower Earth) such as minerals, rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦, and plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰! While today we know that earthquakes π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύπ“¦ come from the interior of the Earth, the ancient Egyptians didn’t know that but it’s still so cool they made this distinction!

The god Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 can be depicted in art in a couple of different ways!Β 

Geb's
Wereshnefer’s sarcophagus at the MET showing Geb and Nut

On Wereshnefer’s sarcophagus is one depiction: Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­, the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of the sky/cosmos π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯, is seen as a woman arched over the rounded Earth 𓇾𓇾 and is supported by Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭, the god π“ŠΉ of the atmosphere.Β  At Nut’s π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ feet is Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 who is represented by feet with two arms holding the rounded Earth 𓇾𓇾!Β 

Geb's
Wereshnefer’s sarcophagus at the MET showing Geb and Nut labeled with their names in heiroglyphs

On the painted depiction, Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 is seen lying underneath the rest of the figures such as Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ and Shu 𓆄𓅱𓀭, the god π“ŠΉ of the atmosphere.Β 

Geb's
A painted sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum depicting Nut, Shu, Geb and Khnum
Geb's
A painted sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum depicting Nut, Shu, Geb and Khnum with their names labeled in hieroglyphs

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Hathor at the Louvre

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ sculpture of the head of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑 is one of my favorite pieces that I saw in the Louvre because the intricate details are just striking. This piece is dated to the Ptolemaic Period, and used to be part of a column.Β 

Head of Hathor
Head of Hathor at the Louvre

Hathor 𓉑 is one of the most prominent goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ of the Egyptian pantheon. Along with Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯, she is regarded as the β€œGod’s mother π“…π“π“ŠΉβ€ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, but is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of love π“ˆ˜π“, joy 𓄫𓄣𓏏, music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ, and dance π“‚‹π“…±π“‚»- basically the fun things in life! 

Hathor 𓉑 is usually associated with cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒π“ͺ and can take the form of a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 in many forms of Egyptian art. One detail that I love about this piece is that Hathor 𓉑 is shown with her cow ears! It is very common to see Hathor 𓉑 with her cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears in art! 

Another detail that I love is how her wig 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸 is decorated with rosettes π“‡¬π“ˆ–π“ƒ€! The carvings are in raised relief, which only makes them stand out more. The work of the ancient Egyptian artists is truly incredible and never fails to amaze me!

Head of Hathor
Me with the Head of Hathor at the Louvre

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Blog

The Tower of Terror

The Tower of Terror was one of my Nonno’s absolute favorite rides at Disney World and he was always the oldest person on the ride! The queue for the ride is incredible as are the pre-show rooms because there’s so many cool things to look at, including ancient Egyptian themed things!Β 

Tower of Terror

Do you spot some familiar statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾𓏦? William and I found our friend Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲! I was honestly so surprised to see a replica of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 from the MET in the pre-show room (this was the room on the left) because not only is Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 an obscure deity, but this isn’t a popular or well-known statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾! Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was thought to be the god π“ŠΉ of human fate and fortune and the slayer of demons.

Next to Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 is a replica statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the goddess Bastet π“Ž―π“π“π“ (you can also find one like this at the MET). 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!

We also found replica statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾𓏦 of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣!Β 

Tower of Terror

Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ was thought to be the mother 𓄿𓏏𓁐 of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and was often associated with motherhood, the protection of women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“, and a user of magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ.  As Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ became a more popular religious figure, she was associated with cosmological order and was considered to be the embodiment of fate by the Romans.

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 (my favorite) was the god π“ŠΉ of mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž, cemeteries/tombs, and was charged with protecting π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱.

I hope you enjoyed this post about Ancient Egypt in Disney! Be sure to check out my other posts!

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Tutu

While this looks like a small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 this isn’t just any sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€: his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲! The word β€œTutu” in Egyptian can be translated as β€œImage 𓏏𓏲𓏏” or β€œOne 𓏏𓏲.” The reason I am using the β€œπ“²β€ instead of the β€œπ“…±β€ to write the β€œw/u” sound is because β€œπ“…±β€ was used more for Middle/New Egyptian while β€œπ“²β€ was used in Late Egyptian!

Tutu
A front view of the limestone statue of Tutu. His inlaid eyes are missing, probably lost in antiquity.

Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was a late addition to the Egyptian pantheon as his first appearance is around 600 B.C.E., and he became a very popular deity in the late centuries B.C.E. to the Roman period. He is considered to be an obscure god π“ŠΉ and not much is known about him – most people think they are seeing a sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ when they see him!

Tutu
The limestone statue of Tutu – can you see his snake tail?

Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was the son π“…­ of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Neith π“ˆ–π“π“‹Œπ“€­ and he was usually represented as a sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ (human head, lion body) with a snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 as a tail! You can see the snake 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆙 tail on the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 if you look closely!

One of the reasons that Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 became so popular is because he was worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 by ordinary people and Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was accessible to everyone! Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was thought to be the god π“ŠΉ of human fate and fortune and the slayer of demons. Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was commonly known as β€œWho Comes to the One Calling Him” but was also referred to as β€œGreat of Strength” and β€œThe Lion.” 

On reliefs, Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 was also portrayed as a sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ except his head was usually facing forward instead of the usual profile depiction that is in most Egyptian art. This was so Tutu 𓏏𓏲𓏏𓏲 could be see as approachable by all!

On this particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, the inlaid glass eyes are missing! This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is also made of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ and is dated to the Ptolemaic Period. 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Nectanbo the Falcon

This piece is named β€œGod Horus Protecting King Nectanbo II.” Nectanbo II π“žπ“©π“‹΄π“‡›π“„£π“Ίπ“‰π“ˆ– was the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of the short lived 30th Dynasty and he made himself the focus of a religious cult called β€œNectanbo the Falcon,” which was a merging of himself with the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ was the god π“ŠΉ of kingship!Β 

Nectanbo the Falcon
Me with Nectanbo the Falcon!

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

There’s a small inscription at the base of the statue, and the inscription is a mirrored one – this means you start in the middle and read Middle to left or middle to right depending on the direction of the symbols! The β€œπ“‹Ήβ€ is the middle so that is where we are going to start!Β 

Nectanbo the Falcon
A closeup of the hieroglyphs at the base of the statue.

Middle to Left:

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt 

π“žπ“©π“‹΄π“‡›π“„£π“Ίπ“‰π“ˆ– – Nectanbo II β€œPleasing to the Heart of Ra, Chosen of Amun” (throne name)

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹- Osiris Mnevis

π“Œ» – Beloved

Middle to Right:Β 

π“‹Ή – Life

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“₯Xπ“†‡π“ˆ˜π“‚‘π“…ƒπ“Ž³π“π“Š– – Nectanbo II β€œNakht Hor Hebit” (birth name) [the X is a symbol I don’t have]

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» – Osiris Mnevis

Interesting Interpretation of the Hieroglyphs:

What’s interesting about this inscription is that I can’t tell if it’s supposed to be β€œπ“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» Osiris Mnevis” or β€œBeloved of Osiris Mnevis” with β€œπ“Œ»β€ being β€œbeloved.” To me it makes more sense if it is  β€œBeloved of Osiris Mnevis,” but I translated it both ways! 

Osiris Mnevis π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉπ“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ» is a combination of the gods Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉ and Mnevis π“‰•π“…¨π“‚‹π“Œ». Mnevis 𓉕𓅨𓂋.  Mnevis 𓉕𓅨𓂋 was one of the Bull gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in ancient Egypt. 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Seshat

This is an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 on a Roman-era (60-70 A.D.) mummy mask. Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of writing, wisdom and knowledge. This is actually the only object at the MET that contains an image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐! Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 does not appear much in ancient Egyptian art, and there are no temples or cult centers dedicated to her worship.Β 

Seshat

Seshat’s 𓋇𓏏𓁐 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– literally translates to β€œfemale scribe,” and she is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of scribes π“Ÿπ“€€π“ͺ! I have always really liked Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 because she was a female figure associated with hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and I related to that aspect of her! I always wished there were more depictions of her in ancient Egyptian art!

In this image 𓏏𓅱𓏏, she is holding writing with a stylus, which is very typical of artistic depictions of her! You can easily pick Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 out in Egyptian art because of the seven pointed emblem 𓋇 that she wears on her head (I call it a star – but no one really knows what it is). This symbol is also part of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, which makes it easy to spot in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of architecture, accounting, mathematics, and surveying. This is what made her an essential part of a building ceremony called the β€œStretching of the Cord.” The β€œStretching of the Cord” was part of the foundation ritual that occurred when a building was constructed in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. It involved nailing four 𓏽 stakes into the ground at the four 𓏼 corners of the building and then linking them with a cord. 

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 is definitely related to and shares some of the same functions as the god π“ŠΉ Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭, who was also considered to be the god π“ŠΉ of writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, knowledge π“‚‹π“π“π“œ and wisdom. Usually Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 is credited with inventing writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯/hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ (hence his title β€œLord of the Divine Words/Writing π“ŽŸπ“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“‚‚π“‚‚π“‚‚π“Ÿβ€), however, some mythology credits Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐 with inventing writing/hieroglyphs, while Thoth 𓅝𓏏𓏭𓀭 was the one who taught writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ to man! 

Here are some ways to write Seshat’s name in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ: 

Seshat 𓋇

Seshat 𓋇𓏏𓁐

Seshat π“‹΄π“ˆ™π“„Ώπ“π“…†

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

Shu

Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 was the god π“ŠΉ of the air and atmosphere but was also associated with sunlight 𓆄𓅱𓇢! In the Egyptian creation myth, Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 raised the atmosphere from the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface, separating the two 𓏻 from each other!

Shu
A small faience statue of the god Shu in his characteristic pose!

Shu 𓇋𓅱 is usually depicted as a man standing or kneeling with both of his arms raised (like this hieroglyphic symbol – 𓁏). His arms are in this position to show that he is holding up the air/atmosphere above the ground! Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 was often worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 by sailors, who were looking for favorable winds π“‡‹π“‡¬π“ˆ–π“…±π“Š‘π“¦!

Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 was the consort of Tefnut π“π“†‘π“ˆ–π“π“†—, who is a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ associated with moisture. In some mythology, Shu 𓇋𓅱 and Tefnut π“π“†‘π“ˆ–π“π“†— produced Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 (god π“ŠΉ of the Earth 𓇾𓇾) and Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ (goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of the sky π“Œπ“π“‡―). In the Pyramid Texts, the clouds are even mentioned as β€œthe bones of Shu.”  

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œShu 𓆄𓅱” can actually mean β€œHe Who Rises Up,” β€œEmptiness 𓆄𓅱𓅨,” or β€œSunlight 𓆄𓅱𓇢/𓆄𓅱𓇳” too! In Middle Egyptian, these words were also pronounced like β€œShu,” except they have different determinatives which changes the meaning of the word!

I’m fascinated by the fact that both β€œempty 𓆄𓅱𓅨” and β€œShu 𓆄𓅱” are the same because we can’t see the atmosphere so what is above/all around us appears to be empty 𓆄𓅱𓅨 but it’s not – and the ancient Egyptians knew that!Β It’s incredible the insight that mythology can give us into the thoughts of the ancient Egyptians!

This faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό piece is dated to the Ptolemaic Period (332–30 B.C.E.).Β 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Sistrums with Hathor

Music π“‰”π“‡Œπ“†Έ and musicians were highly regarded in ancient Egyptian culture. I love music π“‰”π“‡Œπ“†Έ, and music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ is something that I cannot live without! This is a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£, which is a musical instrument from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– that is similar to a modern rattle or tambourine.Β 

Sistrums with Hathor
A faience sistrum with Hathor from the Ptolemaic Period

Since Hathor 𓉑 was the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ, she was portrayed on most sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ in her human form! However, even though Hathor 𓉑 is represented as a woman π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“, she is recognized easily because of her characteristic cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears!Β 

Sistrums with Hathor
A closeup view of the sistrum with Hathor’s face! See if you can spot her cow ears!

I love these two sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ pictured below because while they are both from the Ptolemaic Period, they look so different! One of the sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ is made of blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛 faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό while the other is made of silver π“Œ‰π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰.Β 

Sistrums with Hathor
A blue faience sistrum (front) and a silver sistrum (back) both with Hathor’s face on it from the Ptolemaic Period.

Fun fact: in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, silver π“Œ‰π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ was actually considered to be more valuable because it was harder to obtain through trade! Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– does not naturally have a lot of silver π“Œ‰π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰!

The silver π“Œ‰π“‹žπ“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰π“ƒ‰ sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ has hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the handle, however they are very hard to read due to cracks and natural wear. The blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛 faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό one has hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that are much easier to read! 

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

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“ˆπ“ˆ – Lord of Appearances

π“Šͺπ“π“―π“ƒ­π“π“‡Œπ“‹΄ – Ptolemaios (Ptolemy I)

π“‹Ή – Life

𓏇 – Like

𓇳𓏺 – Ra 

π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› – Eternity

𓆖 – Eternity

When π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› and 𓆖 are used in the same phrase, it’s usually translated as β€œEverlasting Eternity” instead of β€œEternity Eternity.” 

Another way to write β€œLord of Appearances” is like this – π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯ – using three strokes β€œπ“₯” instead of repeating the β€œsun over the horizon π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“ˆπ“ˆβ€ hieroglyph three times! Both of these ways are the correct way to write the phrase, however the three strokes β€œπ“₯” is usually used more because it takes up less space! 

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

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