Tag: vatican museum

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouche of Akhenaten

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–!Β 

Cartouche of Akhenaten
The Birth Name cartouche of pharaoh Akhenaten on display at the Vatican Museum

Now, calling this his β€œbirth name” cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is a little misleading because Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– birth name wasn’t actually β€œAkhenaten!” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was given when he was born was Amenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€, and since he was the fourth pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 with that name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, Egyptologists have called him β€œAmenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€.” 

Why did Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– change his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– from Amenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€ to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– during year five 𓏾 of his reign? The change in name π“‚‹π“ˆ– reflects the religious revolution that was happening at the time. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– 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 π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. 

Let’s break down the meaning of Akhenaten’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ – Aten 

π“…œπ“ – Spirit

π“ˆ– – Of

Cartouche of Akhenaten
The Cartouche of Akhenaten with the meaning of the hieroglyphs written next to the symbols.

So all together, the name β€œAkhenaten” translates to β€œSpirit of the Aten.” 

One of the greatest things about reading cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“ͺ is that practicing with them will allow you to begin to understand hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ much more easily! The names of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻 contain many common symbols, words, and phrases in Middle Egyptian! One of the ways I started learning was by reading the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“ͺ!

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ onΒ InstagramΒ andΒ TikTok!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Imhotep Statue at the Vatican Museum

It’s been a while since I shared a picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of an Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾! I love this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ so much – look at those ears! It’s so cute!! This Imhotep statue is on display at the Vatican Museum!

Imhotep Statue
Bronze Statue of Imhotep on display at the Vatican Museum

The Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are always fashioned the same so they are very easy to pick out in museums! Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is always depicted as a scribe π“Ÿπ“€€ sitting with a papyrus roll 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 across his lap.

Even though Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ lived during the 3rd Dynasty, most of his statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ are dated to the Ptolemaic Period, which is when Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was widely worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a god π“ŠΉ, especially by the Greeks. Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was one of the few non-royal Egyptians to be deified. 

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ actually translates to β€œHe Who Comes in Peace.” Let’s break down the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– to see what each of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ mean! 

𓇍 – Come, Arrive, Return

π“…“ – Who Is/Who Is In

π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Peace

I love translating the names of ancient Egyptian people! Much like names today, their names meant something too! 

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Egyptian Artifacts

A “Ushabti Army”

I refer to this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 as the β€œUshabti Army” – it’s no secret how much I absolutely love ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ (all thanks to how much my Nonno loved them)!Β 

Ushabti Army
A “Ushabti Army” at the Vatican Museum!

My Nonno took this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 when we were at the Vatican Museum together π“ˆ–π“Š—! Sometimes it takes me a while to want to share my Nonno’s pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 because I’m selfish and want to keep them to myself, but I also want to share his pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 with everyone so we can all remember him together π“ˆ–π“Š—. I guess it’s all a balance. Plus, his birthday is this week, so I am very sad about that because I miss my Nonno so much.Β 

So why did a deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 person have a β€œUshabti Army?” People who could afford it were buried with over 400 𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲 ushabtisΒ  π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ! Usually there were 365 π“²π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ worker ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ (one for each day of the year) and then overseer ushabtis! The overseers ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ were there to make sure all of the others were doing their work!Β 

The ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ in this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 are made of clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡/terracotta. During the 3rd Intermediate Period, these materials replaced the popular stone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“Šͺ or faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ. So many ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ have been found from this time period that many of them were sold or given to museums around the world 𓇾𓇾. Did you know that there were so many that the Egyptian Museum in Cairo even sold authentic ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ to tourists at one point?! 

Fun Fact: the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ had originally calculated the year to be 365 π“²π“²π“²π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ž†π“Ύ days, and then they revised it to 365.25 days – which is the actual length modern scientists calculated based on the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 revolution around the Sun 𓇳𓏺! How incredible is that?!

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Cartouche of Akhenaten

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at one of the birth name variants for the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–! Now, this is most definitely a variant, because this cartouche 𓍷 definitely does not show the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was given when he was born! The pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was actually born with the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€ (Amun is Satisfied, God and Ruler of Thebes), and changed his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– during year five 𓏾 of his reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“.Β 

“Lord of Appearances, Akhenaten.”

Let’s take a closer look at Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– cartouche 𓍷! Above the cartouche is his title β€œLord of Appearances π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯.” 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ – Aten (pronounced β€œAten”)

π“…œπ“- Spirit (pronounced like β€œahk”)

π“ˆ– – Of (pronounced like β€œn”)

This is where the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œAkhenaten” come from and the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œSpirit of the Aten.” 

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€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.” 

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a uniliteral phonogram sign. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” 

The β€œπ“‡³ sun disc” symbol is an ideogram for β€œra” or β€œre,” but can also be a determinative in words such as sun 𓆄𓅱𓇳, today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, and Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. 

The β€œcrested ibis π“…œβ€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram sign and is associated with the sound β€œah.” It can also be an ideogram for β€œspirit.”

The β€œplacenta or sieve 𓐍” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram and is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«β€ (similar to a β€œk”). This symbol is actually considered β€œunclassified” because Egyptologists actually don’t know what it exactly represents! 

Something that’s very special about this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is that my Nonno took it when we were at the Vatican Museum together π“ˆ–π“Š—! 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Horus Name of Pharaoh Hatshepsut

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

While the throne name and birth name are the two 𓏻 names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ that appear most often in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯, today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the Horus Name of my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ! The Horus Name is one of five 𓏾 ways to write the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and it is the oldest way to do so. The purpose of the Horus Name was to identify the king 𓇓 as an earthly representation of the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. This helped to legitimize their rule π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύ, especially if the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 wasn’t necessarily β€œin line” for the throne. 

Usually the Horus Name will appear in a Serekh, however that’s not the case here! The Falcon Horus π“…ƒ is usually standing on top of a palace facade π“Š which enclosed the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– but that is missing here probably due to spacing issues! The ancient Egyptians will always put aesthetics before grammar! Instead, π“‹Ήπ“…ƒ or β€œLiving Horus” is written to indicate the Horus Name! Again, β€œπ“‹Ήπ“…ƒ Living Horus” really tells everyone that Hatshepsut herself is the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, just here on Earth 𓇾𓇾.Β 

Hatshepsut’s Horus Name, Wosretkau, in hieroglyphs.

Let’s take a look at Hatshepsut’s Horus Name! 

π“„Šπ“‹΄π“π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – Wosretkau or Useretkau 

Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

π“„Šπ“‹΄π“ – Powerful, Mighty, Strong (this is the female version; male version is π“„Šπ“‹΄). 

π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – Kas (Souls) 

β€œWosretkau” translates to β€œThe Mighty of the Kas” or β€œThe Mighty of the Souls.”

Let’s break down the hieroglyphic symbols π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ:

The β€œhead and neck of a jackal π“„Šβ€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œwsr” or β€œusr.” 

The β€œfolded cloth 𓋴” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œs.”

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€œπ“‚“ two arms” symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œka,” and also functions as an ideogram for the same. The word β€œka” has been translated into our modern languages as β€œsoul.” 

I think that is such a cool name π“‚‹π“ˆ– to have! This name π“‚‹π“ˆ– has only been recorded in a couple of places, including the Stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ at the Vatican (pictured), the Obelisk 𓉢 at Karnak, and on a couple of statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ from Deir el-Bahri 𓂦𓂋𓂦π“₯𓉐 (one of these is at the MET). 

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Birth Name

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Throne Name

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Birth Name of Pharaoh Hatshepsut

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Can you spot Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό birth name in the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 below?

Can you see Hatshepsut’s cartouche?

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the birth name (also called the given name) cartouche 𓍷 of my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ! Like with most pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯, Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ had many different ways to write her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and these different spellings are called variants. A variant of Hatshepsut’s cartouche 𓍷 is what appears on this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ! 

But first 𓏃, let’s break down the full cartouche 𓍷 (aka the one that appears on most monuments) because it is the more β€œgrammatically proper” spelling!

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“ŽΉπ“- United with (Khnemet)

𓄂𓏏 – Foremost (Hat)

π“€Όπ“ͺ -Noble Women (Shepsut)

So Hatshepsut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.” 

Hatshepsut’s Birth Name Cartouche

Now that we know her most popular variant, let’s take a look at the less common variant of the cartouche 𓍷, which is the variant that appears on the stela: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“ŽΉ – United with (Khnemet)

π“„‚ – Foremost (Hat)

π“€Ό – Noble Women (Shepsut)

So as you can see, even though there are less hieroglyphic symbols π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ (aka the words are abbreviated), the cartouche still retains the original meaning/pronunciation! Abbreviations can be difficult for beginners, but it just comes with practice! 

There’s also a third variant of Hatshepsut’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that I rarely see and it is simply: 𓄂𓏏𓀼π“ͺ which actually spells just β€œHatshepsut”!

𓄂𓏏 – Foremost (Hat)

π“€Όπ“ͺ -Noble Women (Shepsut)

This cartouche 𓍷/inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– is from the Stela of Hatshepsut, which is at the Vatican Museum, which is the same stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ as the previous post about Hatshepsut’s 𓇳𓁦𓂓 Throne Name!

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Throne Name

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Horus Name

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

The Throne Name of Pharaoh Hatshepsut

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the throne name (also called the prenomen) cartouche 𓍷 of my favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, and one of the first 𓏃 β€œphrases” that I learned how to read when I was first learning hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! The pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 always distinguished their names in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ by wrapping them in a cartouche 𓍷, which is an oval shape with a straight line closing the oval at one end. The oval shape was meant to protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 and their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– from evil π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“π“…¨ in both life π“‹Ή and death 𓅓𓏏𓏱. 

With the three 𓏼 symbol cartouche, especially when Re 𓇳𓏺 is involved, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– read middle-right-left. So why is Re 𓇳𓏺 written first but said last!? Honorific transposition! As a sign of respect, Re 𓇳𓏺 (or another god π“ŠΉ) is always written first 𓏃 but said last! 

Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ throne name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓, which translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” I love π“ˆ˜π“ this name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, and the meaning behind it – to me, it just screams β€œpowerful!” Let’s take a closer look at the symbols that are a part of her name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

“Maatkare” in a cartouche – this is the throne name of the Pharaoh Hatshepsut

The β€œπ“‡³ sun disc” symbol is an ideogram for β€œra” or β€œre,” but can also be a determinative in words such as sun 𓆄𓅱𓇳, today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, and for words associated with time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.”

The β€œπ“¦ goddess with a feather” symbol is used commonly as a determinative in the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– for the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦, but is also commonly used as an ideogram for the word β€œmaat.” 

The β€œπ“‚“ two arms” symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œka,” and also functions as an ideogram for the same. The word β€œka” has been translated into our modern languages as β€œsoul,” since the person’s ka π“‚“ was the part of the person that interacted with others and was considered one part of a person’s soul. 

This cartouche 𓍷/inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– is from the Stela of Hatshepsut, which is at the Vatican Museum. When I saw this stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ (one of my most favorite artifacts) I made sure to try and close up pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ because I love π“ˆ˜π“ it so much!

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Birth Name

Here’s a post about Hatshepsut’s Horus Name

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Large Granite Statue of Queen Tiye

This large granite π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“ˆ–π“Œ³π“Ώ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— has quite the story and journey through history! It’s amazing how some pieces can start off in one place, but end up in a completely different location! Let’s take a closer look at this striking piece that is currently at the Vatican Museum, and follow her journey from Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– to Rome!

Queen Tiye at the Vatican Museum

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 definitely resembles other works of Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— – from the characteristic wig to the distinct face shape and design. In my opinion, there is no doubt that this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was originally Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“—. Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— was married to the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  and possessed the title of β€œKing’s Great Wife π“‡“π“ˆžπ“,” which pretty much meant that she was his favorite wife. Queen Tiye π“˜π“‡Œπ“­π“— was actually the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– and Tutankhamun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ grandmother!Β 

After some time had passed, the great usurper, Rameses II π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“, recognized the beauty 𓄀𓆑𓂋 of this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 and brought it to his mortuary temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ where he had it dedicated to his mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 (and wife of Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠), Tuya 𓏏𓅱𓇋𓄿𓁗. β€œUsurping” was a popular practice where pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ would take old statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 π“ͺ from previous pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ and put their names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ on it. Think of it as ancient plagiarism! 

Then, the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 made its way out of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and to Rome! For a long time, the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 adorned the β€œGardens of Sallust,” which belonged to the Emperor Caligula π“ˆπ“‹Ύπ“©π“„Ώπ“²π“π“ŽΌπ“ƒ­π“‚§π“‚‹π“° at the time. Many Roman Emperors liked Egyptian art, and some (like Caligula π“ˆπ“‹Ύπ“©π“„Ώπ“²π“π“ŽΌπ“ƒ­π“‚§π“‚‹π“° and Hadrian π“‰”π“π“‚‹π“‚π“ˆ–π“Šƒπ“ˆŽπ“Šƒπ“‚‹) had pieces from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– brought to Rome to adorn their gardens π“Ž›π“Šƒπ“Šͺπ“ˆˆπ“₯ or estates. This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was then re-discovered in 1714 and was brought to the Vatican Museums in 1839. 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Soul of Pe Statue at the Vatican

The Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š–

The Soul of Pe statue at the Vatican Museum

This bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ kneeling statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ deity π“ŠΉ is referred to as the β€œSoul of Pe” and it is actually another way to depict the god π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. Also known as β€œHorus of Pe,” these statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ became popular during the Late Period, after 600 B.C.E. 

The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– were first mentioned in the Pyramid Texts and refer to the ancestors of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯. The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– symbolized the predynastic rulers of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. The Souls π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– and Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– were thought of as very powerful deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that not only aided the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯, but also the current living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– and Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– were both cities in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and were around as early as the predynastic period.  Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– was originally the cult center for the god π“ŠΉ Horus in Upper Egypt 𓇓, however, Pe a town in Lower Egypt 𓆀, was awarded to Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ by Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 after his eye was injured during his battle with Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£ for the throne of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

In this particular statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, Horus π“…ƒπ“€­/Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– is shown in a characteristic kneeling position with one arm raised, with the other resting on his chest. This is known as a β€œjubilation position,” which is meant to show the Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– celebrating the rising of the sun 𓆄𓅱𓇢. The Soul of Pe π“Šͺπ“Š– is usually represented as Horus the Falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„, while the Soul of Nekhen π“Š”π“ˆ–π“Š– is usually represented as a jackal π“Šƒπ“„Ώπ“ƒ€π“ƒ₯. 

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Blog Video

Video – Stela of Hatshepsut Replica

This is a replica of the Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ Stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ at the Musei Vaticani that my Nonno gave to me over fifteen years ago. I love this piece so much because the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on it are so accurate compared to the original stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ!

This is one of my most prized possessions because my Nonno have it to me. He brought this for me before we got to see the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ together, because he knew I would absolutely love it, and I do! 

Let me know if you guys enjoy seeing my little collection of Egyptian replica pieces that my Nonno has given me!

Here is one of my posts about this beautiful π“„€ stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ!