Letβs read some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! These hieroglyphs πΉππͺ are from the wooden π±ππΊ Coffin π΄π ±πππ± of Khnumnakht, an individual who lived during the 12th-13th Dynasties (c. 1850-1750 B.C.E.)
Here is what the inscription ππ ±π says: πΉπ – May He Live π³πΊπ – Every Day ππ³πΊ – Like Ra
The little βstrokes πΊβ 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 even/in lines on the coffin π΄π ±πππ±!
I have posted a bunch of inscriptions πππ₯ from this coffin π΄π ±πππ± because it is just so beautiful π€! The wooden π±ππΊ coffins π΄π ±πππ± from the Middle Kingdom are truly something else! The paint π¨ππ ±ππΈπ¦ and the colors are just exquisite and have really stood the test of time!
The name of the god “Shu” in Hieroglyphs from the coffin of Khnumnakht (The MET)
Letβs read some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! Once again, these hieroglyphs πΉππͺ are from the wooden π±ππΊ Coffin π΄π ±πππ± of Khnumnakht, an individual who lived during the 12th-13th Dynasties (c. 1850-1750 B.C.E.).
These hieroglyphs πΉππͺ pictured spell out the name ππ of the god πΉ βShu ππ ±.β Shu ππ ± is the god πΉ of the atmosphere/air and sunlight. The name ππ Shu can also mean βemptiness.β In this inscription, the determinative symbol is missing; Shu can also be written as βππ ±π.β
The βfeather πβ is a biliteral symbol and is representative of the sound Ε‘w. βπβ can also function as an ideogram for βfeather ππΊ,β and as a determinative for βMaat/Truth ππ΄π£ππ.β
The βQuail Chick π ±β is a super popular symbol! It is a uniliteral symbol that is representative of the sound w/u, and it is also an ideogram for the word βchick π ±πΊ.β
Here are some other words that are similar to Shu ππ ±! What is so cool about all of the words is that they all have to do with the atmosphere! ππ ±π ¨ – Empty ππ ±π³, ππ ±πΆ – sun, sunlight ππ ±π³ – be dry
The name of the goddess “Nephthys” from the coffin of Khnumnakht
Letβs read some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! These hieroglyphs πΉππͺ are from the wooden π±ππΊ Coffin π΄π ±πππ± of Khnumnakht, an individual who lived during the 12th-13th Dynasties (c. 1850-1750 B.C.E.).
Today, our inscription very simply reads βπ ,β which is the shortened version of the name ππ of the goddess πΉπ Nephthys π !
This type of symbol that is used in Nephthysβ π name ππ is called a Composite Hieroglyph. A Composite Hieroglyphic symbol is a symbol that is the combination of multiple symbols into a single glyph.
The three πΌ symbols βπππβ can be combined to make the βπ β symbol, which is not only the crown that Nephthys wears π , but a space saver when writing out hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
Nephthysβ π title was βMistress of the House ππππΊ.β If you look, even the hieroglyphs πΉππͺ for βMistress of the House ππππΊ,β are very similar to her name (π )! Both πand π are part of the symbols that relate to βStructures and their Parts;β I love when it is all connected!
Her name ππ could also be written as ππππππ―π or more commonly as π ππ.
In statuary and funerary art, the crown on her head πΆπΊ is one of the hieroglyphs πΉππͺ that is used in her name (π ), which makes Nephthys π ππ very easy to identify in tomb art/funerary art.
These are bronze ππ€ππ¦ statues πππππΎπͺ of Horus π π, most likely dated to the Late-Ptolemaic Periods.
Horus π π was one of the earliest Egyptian gods πΉπΉπΉ. He was worshipped πΌπΏπ’ from the beginning of the dynastic period. The Turin Canon (provides information about Egyptβs ππ ππ earliest rulers πΎπΎπΎ) refers to the pharaohs ππ»π₯ as the βFollowers of Horus.β
Horus π π had many roles as a god πΉ, and these roles evolved and changed throughout Egyptian history. He was originally the Sky πͺππ― God πΉ and was referred to as the βLord of the Sky.β Horus π π then evolved to become associated with the sun π³πΊ, and was referred to as the βGod of the East.β He was also combined with Ra π³πΊπ, and this is how the deity πΉ Ra-Horakhty π πππ€ came to evolve.
Horus π π was also worshipped as the son π of Isis π¨ππ₯ and Osiris πΉπ¨π. The triad/family π ππ ±ππππ¦ unit was extremely important to ancient Egyptian religion/culture. Most notably, Horus π π is usually associated with being the god πΉ of kingship. As the son π of Osiris πΉπ¨π, Horus π π was the mythological heir to the throne of Egypt ππ ππ.
Horus π π is usually seen as a human with a falcon πππ‘π head. On his head πΆπΊ is usually the double crown π of Upper π and Lower π€ Egypt ππ ππ. This is how you can differentiate between Horus π π and other falcon πππ‘π deities πΉπΉπΉ!
These images ππ ±ππ¦ are from the Book of the Dead of Imhotep (Early Ptolemaic Period) at the MET! This particular Book of the Dead is incredible because even though it is only in black ππ or red π§πππ ink and not in full color like some other versions, it is still so beautiful π€ to look at and I am always mesmerized by the details! Letβs take a closer look at both the images ππ ±ππ¦ and the hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
The top panel shows the goddesses πΉπ Isis π¨ππ₯ (left) and Nephthys π ππ (right) on their knees in a mourning position on either side of the deceased π ππ±. The deceased π ππ± is in the form of a mummy ππΉπ ±πΎ and is laying on a table that is in the form of a lion π³πΉπΏπ.
I love how a row of stars π΄ππΏπΌπͺ separate the two π» panels! The star πΌ hieroglyph πΉπ is another one of my favorite symbols and I love how it is used in both writing and drawing/art!
On the bottom panel, two π» of the Sons of Horus are pictured with Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ in the center. Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ is on his shrine π±πΉ, just like my favorite hieroglyph πΉπ! Qebehsenuef ππ’π’π’ππ is on the left of Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ and Duamutef πΌπ πππ is on the right. The Sons of Horus had and Anubis all had roles in the protection of the deceased π ππ±.
One thing I love about Egyptian art is how a lot of times there are βcaptionsβ next to the people/deities πΉπΉπΉ that are pictured so that way you know who they are! Isis π¨ππ₯ and Nephthys π ππ are obvious to spot because of the crowns on their heads. Their crowns match the hieroglyphs in their names πππ¦ – Isis has a π¨ crown while Nephthys has a π crown! However, Duamutef πΌπ πππ and Qebehsenuef ππ’π’π’ππ are not as easy to recognize because they are mummiform and not in their usual form with the jackal ππΏππ₯ or falcon πππ‘π heads! So in this case, the βcaptionsβ are quite useful!!!
How cute is this little (4.9 cm) gold ππππ statue πππππΎ?!?! This statue πππππΎ is titled βAnubis as Defender of Osiris/Dionysus (?).β It is always so cool to see elements of Egyptian, Greek, or even Roman culture combined into a single statue πππππΎ! This statue πππππΎ is dated to the 2nd – 3rd Centiry A.D., which is the Roman Period of Egyptian history!
While the Romans equated Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ to Mercury, the Greeks actually equated Osiris πΉπ¨π to Dionysus! One interpretation of the statue is this: Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ is dressed in a military outfit, in order to signify his role as a fighter against the enemies of Osiris πΉπ¨π! Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ is holding a Thysrus in one hand ππΊ, which is a staff symbolic of/carried by the followers of Dionysus. In the other hand ππΊ, Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ is holding a falcon πππ‘π .
Cool Connection! BTS actually have a song called βDionysusβ and it is incredible with lots of cool mythological references/metaphors! My favorite line from the song is βArt is alcohol too, if you can drink it, you’ll get drunk foolβ¦β The song is about loving art so of course I love the lyrics because you all know how much I love Egyptian art!
In my independent study of Korean I did learn this though: The Korean word for βartβ is μμ (yesul) and the Korean word for βalcoholβ is μ (sul) so these lyrics are actually a word play! I just love languages and connecting the things I love together!
Look at this unfinished stela ππ ±ππΈ – there are no hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!!!! I love when museums have unfinished pieces of Egyptian art because itβs so cool to see various steps in the artistic process! The empty boxes above the deceased (right) and Ra-Horakhty π πππ€ (left) are where the hieroglyphs πΉππͺ should be!
On the top of the stela ππ ±ππΈ, there are two Wedjat π symbols. The Wedjat π is a very common symbol of protection π ππ‘π and regeneration. In between the Wedjats ππ is the Shen πΆ symbol! The Shen πΆ symbol is a circle of rope that is tied at the end. The tied rope symbolizes completeness, infinity/eternity ππ³π, and is also a symbol of protection π ππ‘π. Both of these symbols could be worn by both the living πΉπππ ±π¦ and the dead π ππ±.
The deceased π ππ± (right) is making an offering to the god πΉ Ra-Horakhty π πππ€ (left). This image is a very popular one to appear on stelae ππ ±ππΈπͺ.
Ra-Horakhty π πππ€ is a combination of Ra π³πΊπ and Horus π π into a single deity. I believe this is a depiction of Ra-Horakhty π πππ€ because he is wearing the sun-disc π³π€ crown that has a Uraeus πππππ at the front. Also, Ra-Horakhty π πππ€ is holding a crook πΎ and flail π and which is another common way to depict him. Ra-Horakhty π πππ€ is also sometimes shown holding a scepter π along with a flail π .
Based on the styling and the images ππ ±ππ¦ on the stela ππ ±ππΈ, I am going to infer that this piece is dated to the 22nd-25th Dynasties. There are many stelae ππ ±ππΈπͺ like this in other museums too (except they are mostly finished, not unfinished)!
Details of the Winged Scarab on the Sarcophagus of Artemidora at The MET
This picture ππ ±π shows the details on a sarcophagus ππΉπππ that belonged to a woman πππππ named ππ Artemidora who lived in Egypt ππ ππ during the Roman Period (A.D 90-100). The gold ππππ, glass, stone ππππͺ, and painted π¨ππ ±ππΈπ¦ details on this sarcophagus ππΉπππ are stunning π€!
One of my favorite pieces of imagery from Egyptian art is the Winged Scarab ππͺπππ£! The wings π§π³πππ¦ allowed the scarab ππͺπππ£ to join the rising and setting of the sun π³πΊ each day – which to the ancient Egyptians πππππͺ represented the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The cycle was central to the ancient Egyptian ππππ religion! As a god πΉ who was constantly reborn, Khepri π£πππ was associated with resurrection! On this sarcophagus, we can see the sun π³πΊ represented above the scarab ππͺπππ£; this was because Khepri π£πππ used to carry the sun π³πΊ across the sky πͺππ―!
Below the winged π§π³ππ scarab ππͺπππ£, we can see the shen πΆ symbol! The shen πΆ symbol is a circle of rope that is tied at the end. The tied rope symbolizes completeness, infinity/eternity ππ³π, and is also a symbol of protection π ππ‘π. The shen πΆ was first seen during the Old Kingdom, and was a very popular symbol throughout Egyptian history; Nekhbet ππππ π and Isis π¨ππ₯ are frequently seen holding them!
Cool Fact: the wings π§π³πππ¦ on the scarab ππͺπππ£ are not those of a beetle, but are actually the wings π§π³πππ¦ of a bird! Also, I just love the painted π¨ππ ±ππΈπ¦ details on these wings π§π³πππ¦; itβs stunning π€!
(from Left) Nephthys, Anubis, Horus, and Isis on the Sarcophagus of Artemidora at The MET
I really like this scene because you can see Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ and Horus π π standing with the mummy ππΉπ ±πΎ of the deceased who is laying on a bed with a lion design. Anubisβ πππͺπ ±π£ arms are raised, and Horus π π is holding the traditional crook πΎ and flail π . Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ is my favorite Egyptian god πΉ, and Horus π π is my sisterβs π’ππ favorite! I always like seeing Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ and Horus π π together ππ for that reason – it reminds me of me and my sister π’ππ!
To the left of Anubis πππͺπ ±π£ is the goddess πΉπ Nephthys π ππ and to the right of Horus π π is the goddess πΉπ Isis π¨ππ₯. Isis π¨ππ₯ and Nephthys π ππ are the actual sisters π’πππ¦ in Egyptian mythology and in funerary scenes are usually depicted together!
You can tell which goddess πΉπ is which based off of the crowns on their head πΆπΊ! The crown on Nephthysβ head is π which is the hieroglyph πΉπ thatβs part of her name ππ, and the crown on Isisβ head is π¨ which also corresponds with her name ππ! If you also look at the text that is next to each of them, their names are also written – itβs almost like a caption!
See if you can spot Isis π¨ππ₯ and Nephthys π ππ in the hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
Letβs read some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!! These hieroglyphs πΉππͺ that we will be looking at are from a Canopic Jar Case, which was put in a tomb ππ«ππ! Itβs function was to hold all four π½ of the Canopic Jars together in one place! This case is gorgeous π€ – I mean, look at those stars π΄ππΏπΌπ¦!!! The star π΄ππΏπΌ design is a favorite of mine; itβs even my phone case!
Since the directional symbols are pointing towards the right, we will start reading from the right! The hieroglyphs πΉππͺ on the top line of the case say:
ππͺππ – Venerated/Revered ππ – Before πππ― – Nut ππ΅ – Ukhotep ππ€ – True of Voice (Justified)
Nut can also be written as βπππ―πβ – in the inscription above, the determinative is missing! βπππ―β could also be translated as βsky,β but in the case of this inscription, translating β πππ―β as the goddess πΉπ Nut πππ―π makes more sense. Also, considering the star π΄ππΏπΌ decorations, mentioning the goddess πΉπ of the sky πππ― also makes perfect sense!
The symbol βπ΅β has many uses and meanings; it can be used alone to represent words/ideas, part of names, but it can also be combined with other symbols to also represent those same words/ideas. For example, the more complete way to write β Satisfied, Content, At Peace, Offeringβ is βπ΅ππͺ.β
