Category: Reading Hieroglyphs

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Great God Ptah”

Lets’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“Ÿπ“›π“₯ that is part of the West Wall of the Tomb Chapel of Kaemsenu. This inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ is a little bit tricky to read at first because one of the symbols is actually upside down!! Not going to lie, at quick glance I thought this inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ said β€œHigh Priest π“ŠΉπ“›!” 

Great God Ptah
“Great God Ptah” in hieroglyphs! Since the “cloth on a pole π“ŠΉ” symbol is pointing to the left, that’s the direction we start reading from!

So let’s take a look at what it actually says: 

π“ŠΉπ“‰Ό – Great God

π“Šͺπ“π“Ž› – Ptah

All π“ŽŸ together π“ˆ–π“Š—, the inscription π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ reads “Great God Ptah.”

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

The β€œcloth on a pole π“ŠΉβ€œ hieroglyph is an ideogram for the word god. π“ŠΉ is also a triliteral phonogram, and represents the letters β€œntr” which may have been pronounced like β€œneter.” π“ŠΉ Is also a determinative for β€œgod.” So the β€œcloth on a pole π“ŠΉβ€œ symbol can function as all three types of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. If you see this symbol, you are most likely looking at a word that has to do with the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ!

The β€œwooden column 𓉼” hieroglyph is a biliteral phonogram which represents the sound β€œΛ3.” This symbol does have a variant, 𓉻, which means the same, it’s just oriented at a different angle! But I’ve never seen it upside down before! 

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” 

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€œwick π“Ž›β€ is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œh.”

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouches 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 a fragment of a relief that has some gorgeous π“„€ hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on it – the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–!! This fragment is from present day Amarna, which during Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– rule was known as Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– translates to β€œHorizon of the Aten,” and Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– named it the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during year five 𓏾 of his reign.Β 

Cartouches of Akhenaten
The Cartouches of Akhenaten on a fragment of a relief from the city of Akhetaten (The MET)

This relief is probably from after year five 𓏾 of his reign, just based off of the throne name variant that is used in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

Let’s start from the top row of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! We will start reading from the right since that is where the snake points to! This is a very popular phrase that you may recognize: 𓆖𓏙𓋹. This translates to β€œGiven 𓏙 Eternal 𓆖 Life π“‹Ή.” 

Under that, we are also going to start reading from the right since that is where the directional symbols point to! 

π“†₯ – King of Upper and Lower Egypt

π“‹Ή – Life

𓐝 – On

𓁧 – Maat (Truth)

π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Two Lands

π“‡³π“„€π“†£π“‡³π“¦π“Œ‘π“ˆ–- Neferkheperura-waenre which means “Beautiful are the Forms/Manifestations of Re, the Unique one of Re” (Akhenaten’s throne name)

On to the next set of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

𓅭𓇳 – Son of Ra

π“‹Ή – Life

𓐝 – On

𓁧 – Maat (Truth)

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– – Akhenaten (the β€œbirth name” variant, since Akhenaten’s actual birth name was Amenhotep (IV))

π“ŽŸπ“ˆπ“₯ – Lord of Appearances 

What always gets me is Akhenaten’s throne name of π“‡³π“„€π“†£π“‡³π“¦π“Œ‘π“ˆ–- Neferkheperura-waenre. This particular spelling of the throne name is only seen after he changed his given name from Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€ to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–. The original spelling, before the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– change was β€œπ“œπ“„€π“†£π“¦π“‡³π“Œ‘π“ˆ–.” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is still pronounced the same and has the same meaning, but the falcon glyph π“œ was changed to just the sun disc 𓇳 (both pronounced Re/Ra).  Also, all of Akhenaten’s other names (Horus name, etc) underwent a change, to remove the other deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, but this one didn’t. 

I wonder why Akhenaten didn’t change the throne name (π“‡³π“„€π“†£π“‡³π“¦π“Œ‘π“ˆ–) to represent the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³, just like how all of his other names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ were changed. He also kept the title β€œSon of Ra 𓅭𓇳,” instead of changing it to an Aten-based title. There are probably some mysteries that we will never fully comprehend about this time period! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

The Vulture Hieroglyph

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at a symbol that is used a lot in hieroglyphic writing π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ and inscriptions π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž–. There are multiple uses for the β€œvulture 𓅐,” hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ, so let’s get started!Β 

Vulture Hieroglyph
The Vulture Hieroglyph in sunken relief, from a sarcophagus at the MET

The β€œvulture 𓅐” hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ is usually a triliteral phonogram and represents the sounds β€œmjt/mwt.” In modern times, we infer that this would be pronounced like β€œmut.” However, the β€œvulture 𓅐” can also represent the sounds β€œmt” or β€œmjjwt” as well.

The β€œvulture 𓅐” is also used as a determinative in the word for β€œvulture π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“…,” and any words that have a root of β€œnr.” 

One of the more popular uses for the β€œvulture 𓅐” is in the word for β€œmother.” There are multiple variants for β€œmother” in Middle Egyptian/hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, so let’s take a look:

𓅐𓏏𓁐

𓅐𓏏𓏏𓁐

𓅐𓏏

𓅐𓅆𓆇

π“…π“π“Ž

𓅐𓏏𓁐𓅆

All of these words would be pronounced like “mut,” despite the fact that some have differing symbols! However, even with spelling differences, all of the symbols will still write out “mut!”

The word for β€œmother” also appears in royal titles: 

𓇓𓅐 – King’s Mother 

π“…π“π“ŠΉ – God’s Mother (can be in reference to the mother of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, or to the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯)

The word for β€œmother” also appears in names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦: 

𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 – Duamutef (jackal headed Son of Horus that guarded the stomach. His name π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œHe Who Worships His Mother.”)

π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“… / π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“…π“€Ό – Senemut (Hatshepsut’s most trusted advisor. His name means β€œMother’s Brother.”) 

For some reason when I am writing hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ myself, I sometimes get the β€œvulture 𓅐” and the β€œEgyptian vulture 𓄿” mixed up! A lot of the bird symbols look similar, which I why I think that happens to me! 

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Egyptian Artifacts Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouches of Thutmosis III from Elephantine

Today I am standing with a relief which contains the cartouches of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 from Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ! Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ is an island π“‡Ύπ“ˆ…π“Ί on the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί, and it forms part of the city of Aswan π“‹΄π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“Œπ“²π“Š– in Upper Egypt 𓇓! According to ancient Egyptian religion, Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ was where the god π“ŠΉ Khnum π“ŽΈπ“π“€­ lived and he controlled the waters π“ˆ— of the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί from caves beneath the island π“‡Ύπ“ˆ…π“Ί!Β 

The Temple of Satet 𓋴𓍿𓏏𓄝𓉐 (or Satis 𓋴𓄝𓏏𓏏𓀭) is on the island π“‡Ύπ“ˆ…π“Ί of Elephantine π“‹π“ƒ€π“ƒ°π“…±π“ŽΆπ“ˆŠ and while it began to be built during the pre-dynastic period, it was rebuilt several times, most notably during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ, and then the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣. They both mostly expanded the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ and made it much larger. The relief I am standing with is from that temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰!Β 

Cartouches of Thutmosis III
Me with a relief from the Temple at Elephantine, which shows the cartouches of the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Thutmosis III.

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Two 𓏻 of Thutmosis III’s cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ appear on this relief, so let’s take a closer look at each of them! We are going to look at the throne name (𓇳𓏠𓆣) first! 

𓇳𓏠𓆣 Menkhepperra β€œLasting is the Manifestation of Re” 

𓇳 – Re 

𓏠 – Lasting

𓆣 – Manifestation

Let’s look at the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·! It’s hard to see which variant is in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 but I think it’s this one: 

π“…π“„Ÿπ“Šƒπ“„€π“†£ – Thutmosis III (Thoth is Born, Beautiful of Form)

𓅝 – Thoth

π“„Ÿπ“Šƒ – Born

π“„€ – Beautiful 

𓆣 – Form

Underneath the cartouches, this famous phrase β€œπ“‹Ήπ“Š½π“Œ€π“‡³π“Ίπ“‡β€ appears: 

π“‹Ή – Life 

π“Š½ – Stability 

π“Œ€ – Strength 

𓇳 – Ra

𓏇 – Like

This translates to β€œLife, Stability, and Strength Like Ra.” The extra β€œπ“Ίβ€ is there as an aesthetic placeholder!Β All pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 wanted to be like Ra, so it is a fitting phrase to be put after the name of a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouches of Rameses II

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!Β Today we are going to look at the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“!

It always felt like my Nonno took pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏π“ͺ of everything in museums – I definitely learned from the best! I’m so happy that the two 𓏻 of us did take pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏π“ͺ of everything because all of the pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏π“ͺ you see on this account were either taken by me, Nonno, or sometimes another family member! Even though the glass in front of the artifacts can cause a glare and make it more difficult to take a picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, I’m thankful for it now because you can see my Nonno’s reflection!Β 

This is a calcite 𓍱 (alabaster) vase π“ π“ˆ–π“‡‹π“‹ with the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of Rameses II on it.Β 

Cartouches of Rameses II
Cartouches of Rameses II on a calcite vase at the Louvre.

We are going to start with the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the right! This is the throne name of Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–, which is preceded by the normal royal title! 

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

𓇿𓇿 – Two Lands

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

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.” Let’s look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– more closely:

𓇳 – Ra

π“„Š – Powerful

𓁧 – Justice (Maat)

𓇳 – Ra

π“‰π“ˆ– – Chosen

Now let’s look at the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· on the right! This is the birth name of Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ which is also preceded by the normal royal title! 

π“ŽŸ – Lord 

π“ˆπ“₯ – Appearances 

π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Ramessu mery Amun

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œRamessu mery Amun π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“β€ translates to β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun.” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– could also be translated as β€œRa Bore Him.” Let’s look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– more closely:

𓁩 – Amun

𓁛 – Ra

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved

π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Bore Him/Fashioned Him/Born Of

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.Β 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Partial Relief with Hieroglyphs

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at an incomplete piece of a limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ relief! This piece at the Brooklyn Museum is so beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 because even though it is just a fragment, the colors are so striking and I just love looking at it! Blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ has always been my favorite color, and the blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ paint 𓇨𓂋𓅱𓏭𓏸𓏦 on this relief is still so bright even after thousands of years!Β 

Partial Relief with Hieroglyphs
Partial Relief with Hieroglyphs at the Brooklyn Museum

Since the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are pointing to the left, we are going to start reading the symbols from the left! 

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is a super common symbol that you will see in a lot of inscriptions! It is a uniliteral phonogram sign, which means it has the sound of a single consonant. The β€œπ“…±β€ is representative of the sound β€œw” or β€œu.” This symbol is also an ideogram for the word β€œchick 𓅱𓏺.”

The β€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is also a uniliteral phonogram! The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ 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! How do we know which word it is? Context clues! In the case of this inscription, too much is missing for us to know what the word is! 

The β€œtall loaf of bread 𓏑” symbol is an ideogram for β€œbread 𓏑,” which usually appears in offering formulas. Surprisingly, it can also be used as an ideogram for β€œThoth” as well! 

The β€œhobble for cattle π“Ž‚β€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram which means it is associated with the sound of two consonants. The β€œπ“Ž‚β€ is associated with the sound β€œz3” (pronounced like β€œzah”) and is usually used in words such as β€œprotection π“Ž‚π“¦/π“Ž‚π“›β€ and other related phrases.

The β€œforepart of lion 𓄂” symbol is an ideogram for the word β€œfront” and β€œforemost.” It is associated with the sound β€œh3t” which would be pronounced like β€œhat.” 

The last word all the way on the right I can actually see in full – this is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–of the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Acquaintance, Knowledge, and more in Hieroglyphs!

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at an interesting word (𓂋𓐍𓏏 – rαΈ«t) that has many meanings depending on its determinative hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ! The determinative symbol is the last symbol in a word π“Œƒπ“‚§π“…±π“€ that helps to summarize the meaning of the whole word π“Œƒπ“‚§π“…±π“€!Β 

Acquaintance, Number, and more in Hieroglyphs!
𓂋𓐍𓏏 on a relief at the MET

In the context of the inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏, this word π“Œƒπ“‚§π“…±π“€ means β€œacquaintance 𓂋𓐍𓏏” and the full inscription π“Ž˜π“…±π“Ž– is the title of β€œKing’s Acquaintance 𓇓𓂋𓐍𓏏.” In the title, the determinative in the word β€œacquaintance” is not written! Usually, when you see 𓂋𓐍𓏏 on its own without a determinative, it means β€œlist 𓂋𓐍𓏏.” 

However, just like any language, simple small words can act as the root of bigger words or phrases! Pay attention to the determinatives at the end of some of these words and how they can relate to each other in some way! Let’s take a look at some of them: 

𓂋𓐍𓏏 – List

𓂋𓐍𓏏𓂝 – To Wash Clothes

𓇓𓂋𓐍𓏏 – King’s Acquaintance (Title)

𓂋𓐍𓏏𓏛 – Female Friend, Female Acquaintance

𓂋𓐍𓏏𓏛 – Knowledge, Number, Amount 

𓂋𓐍𓏏𓏛𓏦 – Knowledge, Number, Amount, List (notice how this version has two determinatives – the β€œπ“¦β€ is making it plural)

π“‚‹π“π“π“π“π“›π“œ – The Wise

π“‚‹π“π“π“ŽŸπ“ – More, Most

Let’s breakdown 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€œplacenta or sieve 𓐍” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram and is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«.” This symbol is actually considered β€œunclassified” because Egyptologists actually don’t know what it exactly represents! 

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 when placed at the end of the word!Β 

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Video – Maned Sphinx of Hatshepsut

@ancientegyptblog

Here’s a video on the Maned Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ of Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓! 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 (Forever) β€œMaatkare, Beloved of Amun, Given Life for Eternity.” I know this is strange, but β€œGiven Life” is 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). 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! This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientEgypt #ancientegyptblog #egyptology #hieroglyphics #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #egitto #metropolitanmuseumofart #metmuseum #hieroglyphs #anticoegitto #egyptologist #hatshepsut #sphinx

♬ original sound – ancientegyptblog Nicole Lesar

Here’s a video on the Maned Sphinx π“Ž›π“…±π“ƒ­π“€ of Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓!

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 (Forever)

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

I know this is strange, but β€œGiven Life” is 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). 

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! 

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

The Djed Pillar

The β€œDjed Pillar π“Š½β€ is one of the most common symbols seen in Egyptian art and hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This particular Djed Pillar π“Š½ is from the Book of the Dead of 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 Imhotep at the MET! Even though this Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is from the Ptolemaic Period, the origin of the Djed Pillar π“Š½ is in the Predynastic Period!

Djed Pillar

The Djed Pillar π“Š½ can be seen in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯ as a hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ, as an amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† for mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ or the living 𓆣𓂋𓀀π“ͺ,  in tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ and temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ art, statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ, and so much more! This is a wonderful symbol to understand the meaning of because it is everywhere! 

In terms of religious symbolism, The Djed Pillar π“Š½ is thought to represent the spine of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. When a person died 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and became β€œThe Osiris,” The Djed Pillar π“Š½ was then thought to represent their spine! The spine was thought to keep Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ upright and able to function as the primary god π“ŠΉ of the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱. This is even referenced in the The Book of the Dead: β€œRaise yourself up Osiris. You have your backbone once more, weary-hearted One; you have bones.” 

Let’s take a look at the hieroglyphic meaning! The β€œreed column π“Š½β€ more commonly known as the β€œDjed Pillar” is a biliteral phonogram that has the sound β€œαΈd” which sounds like β€œDjed.” It also functions as an ideogram for β€œStability.” 

There are many common words and phrases that have the Djed Pillar π“Š½ in it: 

π“™π“‹Ήπ“Š½π“Œ€ – Given Life, Stability, and Strength

π“Š½π“Š½π“ˆ‹π“…±π“Š– / π“Š½π“Š½π“…±π“Š– – Djedu 

π“Š½ / π“Š½π“ – Stability, Endure

π“‹΄π“Š½π“Š½ – Make Permanent

π“Š½π“‚§π“› – To Be Stable

Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

“High Priest” in Hieroglyphs

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

High Priest

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at a common word that is seen on many funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ such as stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“¦! These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ pictured translate to β€œPriest π“ŠΉπ“›,” β€œProphet π“ŠΉπ“›, β€œHigh Priest π“ŠΉπ“›β€ or even β€œHigh Priestess π“ŠΉπ“›β€ in English, but if you were to breakdown the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, it translates to β€œGod’s Servant π“ŠΉπ“›β€ in Middle Egyptian! 

π“ŠΉ – God 

𓍛 – Servant

The word for β€œServant” on its own is usually written with the determinative and looks like this: 𓍛𓀀 (for males) and 𓍛𓏏𓁐 (for females). For a phrase such as β€œGod’s Servant π“ŠΉπ“›,” the determinative is left out! 

Usually, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of a god π“ŠΉ or goddess π“ŠΉπ“ would come before the phrase β€œGod’s Servant π“ŠΉπ“›.” For example, π“‰‘π“ŠΉπ“› would translate to β€œHigh Priest of Hathor” and π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“ŠΉπ“› would translate to β€œHigh Priest of Ptah.” 

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

The β€œcloth on a pole π“ŠΉβ€œ symbol is an ideogram for the word god. π“ŠΉ is also a triliteral phonogram, and represents the letters β€œntr” which may have been pronounced like β€œneter.” π“ŠΉ Is also a determinative for β€œgod.” So the β€œcloth on a pole π“ŠΉβ€œ symbol can function as all three types of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ. If you see this symbol, you are most likely looking at a word that has to do with the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ!

The β€œlaunderer’s club 𓍛” is a biliteral phonogram which means it represents the sounds of two consonants. β€œπ“›β€ represents the sound β€œαΈ₯m.”

There are so many different ways to write priest in Middle Egyptian because there were so many different types of priests! Here are some of the other popular ones: 

π“‹΄π“…“ – Sem Priests (responsible for the Opening of the Mouth Ceremony 𓄋𓏏𓂋𓏺)

𓃂 / π“ƒ‚π“ˆ— – Wab Priest

𓀆 – To Be a Priest

π“‚– / π“‚—π“€€ – Ka Priest/Soul Priest/Priest of the Dead

π“‚π“ˆŽπ“‚­π“‚­π“€€ – Priest