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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱

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/throne name of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱! 

Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱

Let’s break down the meaning of the name β€œKhufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱.” 

𓐍𓅱 – Protects

𓆑 – He 

π“…± – Me/I 

Hi name translates to β€œHe Protects Me.” The ancient Egyptian language follows the Verb-Subject-Object sentence structure, which is why β€œprotects 𓐍𓅱” is written first! 

One of the best things about the names of Old Kingdom pharaohs is that their names use a lot of phonograms, which can make it easier to read. Let’s break down the symbols! 

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

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is a super popular symbol! It is a uniliteral phonogram that is representative of the sound w/u and sometimes functions as an ideogram. It mostly appears as a uniliteral phonogram and is one of the hieroglyphs that appears the most in inscriptions! 

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. It can also be the pronoun β€œhe/him.” 

A lot of people know him by the name β€œCheops,” which is the Greek version of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–. However, when you read his cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, it is very clear that his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱! Khufu 𓐍𓅱𓆑𓅱 is best known for constructing the Great Pyramid at Giza! 

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

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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

Nebmaatra π“‡³π“§π“Ž 

Lets’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be reading the throne name of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Amenhotep III π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“‹Ύπ“‹† which is β€œNebmaatra π“‡³π“§π“Ž .” 

Nebmaatra π“‡³π“§π“Ž 

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols in the cartouche: 

𓇳 – Ra

𓁧 – Maat (Truth)

π“Ž  – Neb (Possessor) (nb) 

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to Possessor is/of the Truth of Ra or Possessor is/of the Maat of Ra! 

Let’s break down each of the symbols: 

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, day, and time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.” Ra is written first but pronounced last due to β€œhonorific transposition” – the name of the god is written first out of respect. 

The β€œπ“¦ goddess with a feather” symbol is used commonly as a determinative in the name for the goddess Maat, but is also commonly used as an ideogram for the word β€œmaat” which means β€œtruth.” 

The β€œπ“Ž  basket” is a biliteral phonogram symbol that has the sound of β€œnb,” which is inferred to be pronounced like β€œneb.” The π“ŽŸ alone can also mean the common words β€œLord,” β€œPossessor,” and β€œAll.” 

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

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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛

Lets’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be reading the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ β€œKhepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛.” 

Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛, god π“ŠΉ of the rising sun 𓇳𓏺 and he symbolizes the β€œlife cycle” – birth π“„Ÿ, death 𓅓𓏏𓏱, and then rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 is usually depicted as a winged scarab with a sun disc above him. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 would carry the sun through the sky as it rose in the east! 

Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛

Here are the two most common variants of Khepri’s name:

𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛

𓆣𓂋𓀭

Let’s break down the symbols! 

The β€œscarab beetle 𓆣” is a phonogram sign. It is a triliteral sign, which means it represents three consonants. The β€œπ“†£β€ is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«pr” which could have been pronounced like β€œkheper.” The β€œ scarab beetle 𓆣” is also both an ideogram and determinative for the word β€œscarab beetle 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣.” 

The β€œmouth 𓂋” symbol functions most commonly as a uniliteral phonogram and is used to represent the sound β€œr.” It can also be used as an ideogram for the word β€œmouth 𓂋𓏺.” 

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€œgod with sun disc 𓁛” symbol in this case is acting as a determinative to show that Khepri’s name is that of a god’s associated with the sun. It can also be an ideogram for β€œRa.”

The β€œseated god 𓀭” symbol is also a determinative but for β€œGod” or β€œKing.” It is used in place of the common β€œπ“€€β€œ symbol. 

The name β€œ Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛” is pronounced pretty much the same as β€œscarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣” even though they are written differently! 

Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 is usually depicted in art like the picture in this post, but I have not seen his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– written too often in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! However, his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is still a good one to know since he is such a common deity to see depicted! 

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

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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

Given Life 𓏙𓋹

Lets’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be very common phrase β€œGiven Life 𓏙𓋹.” 

Given Life 𓏙𓋹

β€œGiven Life 𓏙𓋹” is a very common phrase written in hieroglyphic inscriptions and it is also super meaningful in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– – that’s why it appeared everywhere! A lot of inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ either started or ended with β€œGiven Life 𓏙𓋹.”

Let’s take a look at the phrase more closely!

𓏙 – Given 

π“‹Ή – Life 

Let’s break down the symbols! 

The β€œbread mold 𓏙” symbol is functions as a phonogram for β€œd” or β€œαΈj.” The most common use for this symbol is as the word β€œgive/given.” 

The β€œsandal strap 𓋹” more commonly known as the β€œAnkh,” is a triliteral phonogram that has the sound β€œΛnḫ” which would sound like β€œankh.” While it can also be an ideogram for β€œsandal strap” and β€œmirror,” the β€œsandal strap 𓋹” is much more commonly seen as the word for β€œLife.” 

World Ostomy Day occurred back in October and as many of you know, I had to get an ileostomy in April 2025 after years and years of horrific bowel issues. I’m grateful for the new life π“‹Ή my ileostomy has given 𓏙 me. Life π“‹Ή with an ileostomy is not easy at all, it’s not perfect, and it’s certainly frustrating, but it’s so much better than my life before the Ostomy! I think that kind of puts my suffering into perspective – life with an ileostomy is better than my life before it. My ileostomy has β€œGiven Life 𓏙𓋹” to me again and I would never go back to my pre-Ileostomy days!Β 

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

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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“

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 of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 β€œRameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“.”

Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œRameses II” was given to him by historians, but his birth name was actually β€œRamessu Mery Amun π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“,” which translates to β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun” or β€œRa Bore Him, Beloved of Amun.” 

Let’s look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– more closely! The names of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are written first due to honorific transposition!

𓁩 – Amun

𓁛 – Ra

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved (mry)

π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Bore Him/Fashioned Him/Born Of (msi-sw)

Let’s break down each of the symbols: 

The β€œfalcon with the sun disc 𓁛” symbol is both a determinative and ideogram for β€œRa.” 

The β€œAmun figure 𓁩” symbol is both a determinative and ideogram for β€œAmun.” 

The β€œcanal π“ˆ˜β€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œmr” and can also be β€œshorthand” for the word β€œmery” which means beloved. 

The β€œthree fox skins π“„Ÿβ€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sounds β€œms.” 

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

The β€œsedge 𓇓” symbol can be a biliteral phonogram, ideogram (for sedge) and determinative (for king), but here it is representing the sound β€œsw.”

Rameses II’s birth name cartouche has many variants and can also be written like this: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“. Certain symbols can be substituted for each other because π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– and 𓁩 both mean Amun π“œ and 𓇳𓏺 both mean Ra.

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

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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

Usermaatre setep en Ra π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– (Rameses II)

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the throne name of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II which is β€œUsermaatre setep en Ra π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–.”

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

Usermaatre setep en Ra π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–

𓇳 – Ra

π“„Š – Powerful (wsr)

𓁧 – Justice (Maat)

𓇳 – Ra

π“‰π“ˆ– – Chosen (stpn)

Let’s break down each of the symbols: 

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, day, and time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.”

The β€œhead and neck of jackal π“„Šβ€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram for the sounds β€œwsr” which means β€œpowerful” or β€œstrong.” 

The β€œgoddess with a feather 𓁧” symbol is a determinative for β€œMaat” and is also an ideogram for the same. The word β€œMaat” can refer to the goddess or the word β€œJustice.” 

The β€œadze and block of wood 𓍉” symbol is a triliteral phonogram for the sound β€œstp.”

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

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

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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

Montuhotep II π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œMontuhotep II π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ.”

Montuhotep II π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ
The cartouche of pharaoh Montuhotep II π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ as seen on a relief from his temple. This is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

Montuhotep II’s π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ name is a combination of two different Middle Egyptian words! Let’s break down the two words:

π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± – Montu (𓏠 – mn) (π“ˆ– – n) (𓍿- t) (π“…± – u/w)

π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Hotep (π“Š΅ – htp) (𓏏 – t) (π“Šͺ – p) 

Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…± refers to of the falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ headed god π“ŠΉ of war who was mainly worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–. The word β€œhotep/htp π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” translates to the word β€œsatisfied” or β€œcontent.” The word β€œhotep/htp π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” can also mean β€œoffering” or β€œpeace!” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ means β€œMontu is satisfied” or β€œMontu is content.” 

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols! 

The β€œπ“  game board and pieces” is a biliteral phonogram. The β€œ 𓏠” is associated with the sound β€œmn” which could be pronounced like β€œmen,” β€œmun,” β€œmon,” etc. 

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is a uniliteral phonogram associated with the sound of β€œn!” Here it is a phonetic complement! 

The β€œπ“Ώ hobble/tie” is a uniliteral phonogram sign associated with the sounds of β€œαΉ―β€ or β€œt.” 

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is uniliteral phonogram that is representative of the sound w/u. 

The β€œbread loaf on mat π“Š΅β€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram for the sound β€œαΈ₯tp” and is also an ideogram for β€œoffering slab” which is also associated with the sound β€œαΈ₯tp.”

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” Here it is a phonetic complement! 

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” Here it is a phonetic complement! 

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

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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

Nebhapetra π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œNebhapetra π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€.” 

Nebhapetra π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€
The cartouche of pharaoh Montuhotep II’s throne name, Nebhapetra π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€ as seen on a relief from his temple. This is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

β€œNebhapetra π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€β€ is the throne name for the Middle Kingdom pharaoh Montuhotep II! While Montuhotep π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is his birth name, Nebhapetra π“‡³π“ŽŸπ“Š€ is the name he took when he became the pharaoh! 

Let’s look at the individual glyphs!

𓇳 – Ra

π“ŽŸ – β€œNeb” (nb)

π“Š€ – β€œHapet” (αΈ«rw or αΈ₯jpt)

All π“ŽŸ together his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œPossessor of the Oar of Ra.” 

𓇳 – Ra

π“ŽŸ – Possessor

π“Š€ – Oar

Let’s break down each of the symbols! 

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, today, and for words associated with time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.” Re is written first but pronounced last due to β€œhonorific transposition” – the name of the god is written first out of respect. 

The β€œπ“Ž  basket” is a biliteral phonogram symbol that has the sound of β€œnb,” which is inferred to be pronounced like β€œneb.” The π“ŽŸ alone can also mean the common words β€œLord,” β€œPossessor,” and β€œAll.” 

The β€œoar π“Š€β€ symbol is a triliteral phonogram or an ideogram. As a triliteral it represents the sound β€œαΈ«rw,” and as an ideogram for β€œoar” it represents the sound β€œαΈ₯jpt” which is the sound used in this case! 

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

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Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œMenkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣.”

Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣
Thutmosis III’s throne name Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣 as seen on a relief at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC

Like many pharaohs, Thutmosis III had many different cartouches, and then different variants of those cartouches!The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣 is Thutmosis III’s throne name The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– translates to β€œLasting is the Manifestation of Ra.”

Let’s break down the meaning of the name:

𓇳 – Ra

𓏠 – Men [mn] (Lasting)

𓆣 – Kheper [αΈ«pr] (Manifestation)

Let’s break down each of the symbols: 

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, today, and for words associated with time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.” Re is written first but pronounced last due to β€œhonorific transposition” – the name of the god is written first out of respect. 

The β€œπ“  game board and pieces” is a phonogram sign. It is a biliteral sign, which means that it represents two consonants. The β€œ 𓏠” is associated with the sound β€œmn” which could be pronounced like β€œmen,” β€œmun,” β€œmon,” etc. 

The β€œscarab beetle 𓆣” is a phonogram sign. It is a triliteral sign, which means it represents three consonants. The β€œπ“†£β€ is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«pr” which could have been pronounced like β€œkheper.” The β€œ scarab beetle 𓆣” is also both an ideogram and determinative for the word β€œscarab beetle 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣.” 

This is a great cartouche to be able to recognize, because it is a very common one to see in museums – even more than his birth name! 

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

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Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œMaatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓.” 

Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓
The cartouche of Hatshepsut’s throne name Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓 as seen on a relief at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

The version of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is her throne name, which is the name she took when she became pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! Her throne name is β€œMaatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓” which translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” 

Let’s take a closer look at what the symbols in her name mean:

𓇳 – Re

𓁦 – Maat (Truth) 

π“‚“ – Ka (Soul)

Let’s break down each of the symbols: 

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, today, and for words associated with time. The single symbol alone (like in cartouches) would be pronounced like β€œra” or β€œre.” Re is written first but pronounced last due to β€œhonorific transposition” – the name of the god is written first out of respect. 

The β€œπ“¦ goddess with a feather” symbol is used commonly as a determinative in the name for the goddess Maat, but is also commonly used as an ideogram for the word β€œmaat” which means β€œtruth.” 

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.” 

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

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