Category: Reading Hieroglyphs

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep (Part 2)

Here is the second small papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 which belonged to a man named Amenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ (not the pharaoh). You should also check out Part 1 which goes into more depth on a different papyrus of Amenhotep!

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep
The Book of the Dead of Amenhotep on display at the MET.

This small section of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 has Chapter 78 written in Cursive Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. This chapter is about how the deceased can β€œtake the form of a divine Falcon.” The gods Osiris and Horus appear in this spell, and it even involves a mythological figure called β€œThe Double Lion.” 

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

Book of the Dead of Amenhotep
A closeup of the Book of the Dead of Amenhotep which shows a mummy figure of Amenhotep (left) and a Falcon (right).

Next to the Falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ you can see the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ which I think are: π“†£π“‚‹π“…“π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ŠΉπ“‚‹π“» (sometimes the cursive hieroglyphs are difficult to read – I did my best).Β 

β€œπ“†£π“‚‹β€ means β€œto exist, to be, to change into” and β€œπ“ŠΉπ“‚‹β€ means β€œdivine.” While the other symbols are a little difficult to read, I can assume it’s one of the variants for the word β€œFalcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„β€ since I can see what I think is the beginning of the word β€œπ“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘.” So all together this text most likely reads: β€œTo Change Into the Divine Falcon.” 

π“†£π“‚‹π“…“π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“ŠΉπ“‚‹π“» or “To Change Into the Divine Falcon” is the name of Chapter 78 which is what the rest of this papyrus shows! It’s amazing how the ancient Egyptians wrote titles for their “chapters” (using “chapters” or “numbers” to describe the Book of the Dead is a modern designation and was not used during ancient times).

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œAmenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” means β€œAmun is Satisfied” and is a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– known by people who love ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– because there were many pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 who had the birth name of β€œAmenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ.” I didn’t notice it until I zoomed in on the papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛, but the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–β€œAmenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” appears in the top left corner next to the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 looking figure! I love how the ancient Egyptians captioned everything – if you can read hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ it makes everything so much easier! 

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

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun 

π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – htp (Satisfied, Peace) 

If you want a lot of information about the Book of the Dead, I suggest looking at UCL’s website – it’s what I use to reference the chapter numbers!

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

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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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Reading Hieroglyphs

One Thousand in Hieroglyphs!

Happy 1,000 𓆼 Posts to my Instagram @ancientegyptblog ! To celebrate this momentous occasion, let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the β€œlotus plant 𓆼” symbol! The β€œlotus plant 𓆼” has many functions in Middle Egyptian and it is a symbol you will see a lot!

One Thousand in Hieroglyphs
The “Lotus Plant” symbol which is used to write the number one thousand in hieroglyphs!

The most common way you will see the β€œlotus plant 𓆼” symbol used is when it is used as an ideogram to represent the number β€œone thousand 𓆼.”

For example:Β 

𓆼 – 1,000

𓆼𓆼 – 2,000

𓆼𓆼𓆼 – 3,000

One Thousand in Hieroglyphs
How many times do you see “one thousand” written in the inscription above? Read to the bottom of the post to see the answer!

Used in a sentence (the Offering Formula), it looks like this:

π“‰“π“†Όπ“π“Šπ“†Όπ“ƒΎπ“…Ώπ“†Όπ“±π“‹²

β€œ A voice offering 𓉓 (of) a thousand 𓆼 bread 𓏐 and beer π“Š, a thousand 𓆼 ox 𓃾 and fowl π“…Ώ, a thousand 𓆼 alabaster 𓍱 and linen π“‹².”

The Offering Formula on stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“¦ and False Doors will be the most common way you will see this symbol in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! 

The β€œlotus plant 𓆼” is a biliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œαΈ«3.” The β€œlotus plant 𓆼” symbol can also be simply used as an ideogram for the word β€œlotus plant 𓆼𓏺.”

Some words that can be written with the β€œlotus plant 𓆼” are:

𓆼𓅑𓋴𓇼𓇼𓇼 – Starry Sky

𓆼𓏏𓉐𓏭 – Office

𓐍𓆼𓄿𓏏𓁣 – Illness/Disease

𓋴𓆼𓄿𓀁 – To Remember

I cannot believe it’s been almost four 𓏽 years since I stated this account, let alone the fact that I have written 1,000 𓆼 posts about ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–! That’s a lot of β€œLet’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ,” mythology, art, pharaohs, and talking about my Nonno!

Pharaoh Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 was buried with over 1,000 𓆼 ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ so now I have as many posts as Seti I 𓇳𓁦𓏠 had ushabtis π“…±π“ˆ™π“ƒ€π“π“­π“€Ύ!

The answer to the question above is: four times!

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

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut

A couple of weeks ago I asked on my Instagram if there was an object people wanted to see more of, and someone suggested the Maned Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­ of Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓, so here it is!Β 

Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut
I took a selfie with the Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut!

Pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 were commonly represented as sphinxes π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“¦ in ancient Egyptian art for many reasons. A sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­ is a mythical creature that has the body of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› and the head of a human. In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, lions π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›π“ͺ have been associated with kingship π“‡“π“‡Œ since prehistoric times due to their strength π“Œ€ and ferocity. The sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­ was the perfect representation of the strength π“Œ€ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 due to its lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„› body, while the face still preserved the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the king 𓇓 himself/herself.Β 

A closeup of the hieroglyphs on the Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut.

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

(𓇳𓁦𓂓) – Maatkare

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

π“ŒΊπ“π“‡Œ – Beloved

𓋹𓏏𓏙- Life Given

𓆖 – Eternity

β€œMaatkare, Beloved of Amun, Given Life for Eternity.”

I know this is strange, but β€œGiven Life” is actually written backwards! It should be β€œπ“™π“‹Ήβ€ not β€œπ“‹Ήπ“™β€ as it’s written (this inscription is read from right to left, because that’s the way the directional symbols are pointing). 

There’s also an added 𓏏, which makes it the feminine form! There’s a second sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ just like this one in the Cairo Museum, and on that sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€, there is no added 𓏏! Why would one sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ use the feminine form and one use the masculine?! We will probably never know!Β 

Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut
The hieroglyphs on the Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut with their English translation next to them!

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Everything Perfect and Pure Which a God Lives On” 

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 π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– that appears along the top line on a Middle Kingdom era coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±! This phrase does appear pretty frequently across funerary equipment (stelae, coffin) so it is definitely a good one to know! 

We will start reading the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– on the right since the directional symbols point to the right!Β 

Everything Perfect and Pure Which a God Lives On
The phrase “Everything Perfect and Pure Which a God Lives On” on a Middle Kingdom era sarcophagus

This is the full phrase: π“π“π“Š΅π“¦π“ŽŸπ“„€π“ƒ‚π“π“‹Ήπ“π“ŠΉπ“‡‹π“…“. Let’s break down each word! 

π“π“π“›π“¦π“ŽŸ – Everything 

π“„€ – Perfect/Beautiful/Good

𓃂𓏏 – Pure

𓋹𓏏 – Life/Live

π“ŠΉ – God

𓇋𓅓- On (In, There, Among, etc.) 

So all π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, the phrase translates to: β€œEverything perfect and pure which a god lives on.” 

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Name in Hieroglyphs

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the word for β€œname π“‚‹π“ˆ–β€ in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and the religious/cultural significance that a person’s name had in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!Β 

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

Name in Hieroglyphs
The word “Name” in Hieroglyphs as depicted on a relief in an Old Kingdom tomb

In order to exist, a person needed to have five 𓏾 essential elements: the body π“Ž›π“‚π“„Ό, the shadow 𓆄𓏏𓅱𓋼, the Ba 𓅑𓏀, the Ka (soul/life force) 𓂓𓏀, and most importantly, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–. Without a name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, the other four elements could not exist!

When a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– was written in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, it meant that the person would live π“‹Ή forever π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. The visual representation of a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– had the power to give the person eternal 𓆖 life π“‹Ή. This is why pharaohs wanted their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– on as many monuments as possible – their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ had immense power! 

This ancient belief about a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– having such significance is why I feel like I need to write about my Nonno and speak about him. My entire page is dedicated to his memory, and I feel like sharing his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– and image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 helps me to keep him alive even though he is no longer here. 

Let’s break down each of the symbols! 

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€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is a phonogram sign, and it functions as a uniliteral sign. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” The π“ˆ– has many grammatical functions on its own, and it can mean β€œto,” β€œof,” β€œfor,” β€œwe/us/our,” β€œin,” β€œbecause,” β€œthrough,” and some others!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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Reading Hieroglyphs

“To Rule” 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 theΒ  word β€œπ“·π“Ά,” which has a bunch of different (but seemingly related) meanings in Middle Egyptian!Β 

To Rule
“To Rule” in raised relief from a Middle Kingdom relief at the MET

Here is a list of some of the meanings of the word β€œπ“·π“Άβ€: 

-To Rule

-Who is Upon

-Nomarch (kind of like a governor who was appointed by the pharaoh)

-Governor (this would be a more modern interpretation of the word) 

-Leader

-Magician

Let’s take a closer look at the two symbols which comprise this word! 

The β€œface 𓁷” symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound αΈ₯r and is an ideogram for the word β€œface.” 

The β€œhead 𓁢” symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œtp” and is an ideogram/determinative for the word β€œhead.”

So all together the word β€œπ“·π“Άβ€ would have a sound value of β€œαΈ₯r-tp.”

The β€œface 𓁷” symbol is always fascinating to see because it’s artistically different from most of the other 750+ hieroglyphic symbols. The β€œface 𓁷” symbol is so different because it is a front view of a face instead of a profile view. Most ancient Egyptian art is done in profile, so this symbol really stands out to me amongst other hieroglyphic symbols.  

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

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Statue of Cleopatra VII

I’m going to make my first post of 2024 about one of my Nonno’s absolute favorite people from Egyptian history – Cleopatra VII! Even though Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was Greek, she is considered to be the last pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–.Β 

Cleopatra VII

One of the interesting features about this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is that on her forehead there are three Uraei 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗π“ͺ instead of the standard two! During the Ptolemaic Period, rulers π“ˆŽπ“π“‹Ύπ“ͺ had three Uraei 𓇋𓂝𓂋𓏏𓆗π“ͺ on their forehead, with the third possibly representing the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯. 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! The cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· seen on the shoulder is actually a later addition and not an original part of the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾, so Egyptologists do not know if this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 was originally meant to represent Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇!Β 

Cleopatra VII

The picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above shows the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇! Since Cleopatra VII π“ˆŽπ“ƒ­π“‡‹π“―π“Šͺ𓄿𓂧𓂋𓏏𓄿𓆇 was Greek and not native Egyptian, this cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of hers is very phonetic – most of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ used are uniliteral signs, which means that they correspond to a single sound, just like a letter in the alphabet.

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is made out of limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ and is dated to the Ptolemaic Period (200-30 B.C.E.). 

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

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Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Lord of the Sacred Land

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the significance of the epithet β€œLord of the Sacred Land π“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“‚¦.”

An epithet is almost like a title, except it comes after a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– instead of before it! The epithet β€œLord of the Sacred Land π“ŽŸπ“‡Ύπ“‚¦β€ (some also translate it as β€œLord of the Necropolis), will commonly follow the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 in inscriptions! This phrase is representative of Anubis’ π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 role as protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱! The β€œsacred land” that is being referred to is actually the tombs/cemeteries for the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱!

Lord of the Sacred Land
“Lord of the Sacred Land” painted on a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus

Let’s break down the phrase!
π“ŽŸ – Lord
𓇾 – Land
𓂦 – Sacred

This phrase gives us a nice and simple look at Middle Egyptian sentence structure! In Middle Egyptian, the adjectives follow the noun hence why it reads β€œlord land sacred” instead of β€œLord Sacred Land.” In English, the adjective comes before the noun in a sentence!

Let’s take a closer look at each of the symbols!

The β€œbasket π“ŽŸβ€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œnb” which is thought to have been pronounced like β€œneb.” The π“ŽŸ alone can also mean the common words β€œLord,” β€œPossessor,” and β€œAll.”

The β€œstrip of land with sand 𓇾” symbol is an ideogram for land, Earth and world. It is also a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œt3” and can be a determinative in the word β€œeternity 𓆖.”

The β€œforearm with brush 𓂦” symbol is both an ideogram and determinative for β€œsacred” and is associated with the sound β€œαΈsr.”

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

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