Letβs learn some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!!! Here we see an inscription with the symbols βπΉππ.β
The βhare πΉβ is normally used as a phonogram, which means that it is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word! The hare πΉ is a biliteral sign which means it represents two consonants. The πΉ represents the sounds βwn.β
The βripple of water πβ is also a phonogram sign, except it is uniliteral sign, which means that it just represents one consonant. The βπβ is associated with the sound of βn!β
The βhorned viper πβ functions as both a phonogram and a determinative. π is also a uniliteral symbol and represents the sound βf.β π can function as a determinative in the word βfather πππ.β βFatherβ can also be written as: πππ, ππππ, ππ, or πππ and in some cases, both βπβ and βπβ function as determinatives because neither were pronounced!
When put together, πΉππ reads like βwnf.β The word πΉππ, means βto be gladβ or βto be happy.β
Letβs learn some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!!! Here we see an inscription with the symbols β ππππ.β This is a really popular introduction to an inscription and it translates to βWords spoken byβ¦ ππππ.β βππππβ is usually followed by the name ππ of a god πΉ or goddess πΉπ.
The βcobra πβ is a phonogram, which means that it is a symbol that represents sounds, and is usually part of a larger word! The cobra π is a uniliteral sign, so it represents just one consonant. It represents the sound βαΈβ which would almost sound like a βjβ when pronounced.
The βstaff or walking stick πβ functions as both a phonogram (in this phrase) and as an ideogram (for the word β staff ππΊβ). π is a triliteral phonogram symbol and represents the sound βmdw.β
The βripple of water πβ is also a phonogram sign, and it is also uniliteral sign. The βπβ is associated with the sound of βn!β
The βreed πβ is a uniliteral phonogram for βΔ±Ν,β however it can also function as an ideogram for the word βreed ππΊ.β
When put together, ππππ reads like βαΈd mdw Δ±Νn.β The word ππππ, means βwords spoken byβ¦β or βspeech by…β
Somewhat off-topic, but you probably recognize βπβ from the word for hieroglyphs (πΉππͺ)! βHieroglyphsβ can translate to βgodβs speechβ – πΉ – God π – Speech/Speak πͺ – makes the word plural
βI have the high ground π β is one of the most quoted lines from Star π΄ππΏπΌ Wars ππ±πππ¦! The hieroglyph πΉπ in the picture ππ ±π literally means βhigh ground π β and looks very similar to Obi-Wan during the end fight scene on Mustafar from Revenge of the Sith! When I found this in an inscription πππ₯ at the MET, I got very excited!!!!
This particular hieroglyphic πΉπ symbol has been named the βexcited manβ by James Allen (but I will be calling it βKenobiβ), and I happen to think that is a very fitting description! The βexcited man π β functions as both an ideogram and a determinative.
When acting as an ideogram, π means βhigh ground.β
When acting as a determinative, π can be found at the end of words such as:
πΏππ – Mourn ππππ ±ππ – Joy π―πΏππ – be strong, be honored π΄ππΏπ – raise, to set right ππΏπ – to be high, to be loud
These words all express strong emotions, so the βexcited man π β is definitely a symbol that summarizes the meaning of the word!
Since βRevenge of the Sithβ is one of my absolute favorite movies, I am really quite amused by the meaning of this hieroglyph πΉπ! It is such a cool coincidence!
Are any of you guys Star π΄ππΏπΌ Wars ππ±πππ¦ fans too?! I absolutely loved the Kenobi show on Disney+ because I am a huge fan of Anakin and Obi-Wan!
πΌπ ππ – Duamutef in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
Duamutef πΌπ ππ was one of the four Sons of Horus and his job was to protect π ππ‘π the stomach ππ£π» of the deceased π ππ± which is why he is commonly represented on the lid of canopic jars or in funerary art. The function of the canopic jar was to hold the organs ππ§ππΉπ¦ that were removed during the process of mummification. Duamutef πΌπ ππ is associated with the west ππππ, and all four Sons of Horus are associated with a cardinal direction.
Letβs take a look at Duamutefβs πΌπ ππ name ππ in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ! All of the symbols in Duamutefβs πΌπ ππ name ππ are phonogram symbols, which means that they represent sounds!
The βstar πΌβ functions as a triliteral phonogram for the sound βdw3β (almost like βduaβ). Triliteral means that the symbol represents three consonants! In other words, it can also function as a determinative or ideogram.
The βvulture π β is a triliteral phonogram and represents the sounds βmjt/mwt.β It is also used as a determinative in the word βvulture πππ β
The βflat loaf of bread πβ is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound βt.β It also functions as the ideogram for the word βbread ππΊβ and can be used to make words feminine!
The βhorned viper πβ functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound βf.β In other words, it can function as a determinative.
So Duamutefβs πΌπ ππ name ππ in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ is something like βduamwttfβ – which is very similar to βDuamutef!β Thereβs no Greek version of the name here! For example, βAnubisβ is a Greek name – βInpuβ is what the ancient Egyptians would have called Anubis πππͺπ ±π£!
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.
Here is a close up of an inscription πππ₯ from a sarcophagus ππΉπππ at the MET! While this is only part of the inscription πππ₯, it is my favorite part! Itβs my favorite because this is the part of the inscription that is the dedication to Anubis πππͺπ ±π£! Whenever I see Anubisβ πππͺπ ±π£ name ππ in the inscriptions πππ₯ I get really excited – as if Iβm seeing a celebrity!
Letsβs read some hieroglyphs πΉππͺ!
πππͺπ£ – Anubis πΆπͺππΊπ Upon His Hill
This inscription can also be written as: πππͺπ ±π£ πΆπΊππ. If you notice, on the sarcophagus ππΉπππ, Anubisβ πππͺπ ±π£ name ππ is missing the βπ ±β hieroglyph πΉπ! Anubisβ πππͺπ ±π£ name ππ might have been pronounced βInpw,β but here itβs written just as βInp!β
Anubisβ πππͺπ ±π£ name ππ Can be written many different ways! Here are some common variations: πππͺπ ±π£ πππͺπ£ πππͺπ ± πππͺπ ±π’ π£ π€ π’
Much like in English and other languages, the same words could have different spellings! In ancient Egypt ππ ππ, most of the time the different spellings had to do with the space that was available on the piece that was being inscribed!
βUpon His Hill πΆπͺππΊπβ refers to Anubisβ πππͺπ ±π£ role as the protector of the tombs and cemeteries. Most of the time, tombs/cemeteries weβre surrounded by cliffs, hence the title! It could also be translated as βUpon His Mountain.β
The Emperor Augustus depicted on the Temple of Dendur at the MET
Here is the Emperor Augustus πΏπ²πππππ! He doesnβt look like an Emperor though – he looks like a pharaoh ππ»! Augustus is seen wearing the Atef crown π, a false beard, a broad collar π ±π΄ππΊπ, armlets ππ΄π‘ππ ±π¦, and bracelets ππ πππππ¦. These are all features that are associated with Egyptian pharaohs ππ»π¦, even though Augustus was Roman.
In this sunken relief, Augustus πΏπ²πππππ is making an offering π΅ππͺπππ¦ of Maat ππ΄π£ππ¦ to another god πΉ. Augustus had many temples ππππ¦ constructed that adhered to Egyptian religion and culture instead of the Roman/Hellenistic ways. This was a strategy that Augustus used to legitimize himself as the ruler of Egypt ππ ππ and gain the respect πππ of the local population. This particular image ππ ±π is from the Temple of Dendur, which is at the MET.
To me, what is most interesting though are the cartouches of Augustus! Unlike the Greek rulers of Egypt ππ ππ that spelled out their names πππ¦ using phonogram symbols, Augustus went a different route when having his name ππ represented in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ. In this image ππ ±π you can see two π» (of his three πΌ) cartouches:
πΏπ²πππππ Augustus (Autokrator) ππππππΉπ Augustus (Kaisaros)
βAutokratorβ is the Greek word for βEmperor,β while βKaisarosβ is the Greek word for βCaesar.β
Augustus chose to have various words for βrulerβ as his name ππ in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ. Again, this was probably a way to assert his power as the first Emperor of the Roman Empire. He didnβt want anyone to question his right to rule!
A close-up of Augustus’ cartouche on the Temple of Dendur at the MET
Here is another variant of Augustusβ cartouche: ππ»π
This cartouche I have always found so fascinating because it is literally the word for pharaoh ππ» in Middle Egyptian plus the determinative sign π. Most names (even when spelled out with phonograms) are followed by a determinative for a male π person or female π person. By choosing to have his name depicted in this way, Augustus was literally calling himself the Pharaoh ππ» of Egypt ππ ππ!
In Middle Egyptian the word for pharaoh ππ» literally translates to βGreat House. β this is a direct reference to the palace where the pharaoh ππ» resided during his/her rule.
π – House π» – Great
Augustus chose to have various synonyms for βruler πΎβ as his name ππ in hieroglyphs πΉππͺ (Emperor, Caesar, Pharaoh). Again, this was probably a way to assert his power as the first Emperor of the Roman Empire. He didnβt want anyone to question his right to rule!
The Great God πΉπ€ or The Perfect God πΉπ€ is another extremely common phrase you will find in hieroglyphic πΉππͺ inscriptions πππ₯ across all different types of artifacts and monuments. It is definitely a good one to know and recognize because it is so common!
The Great God πΉπ€ is usually found before ππ the titles that accompany the prenomen (throne name) cartouche of a pharaoh ππ». Another popular title that often accompanies the prenomen is ππΏπΏ , which translates to βLord of the Two Lands.β Sometimes both titles will appear together!
Whether or not βπΉπ€β is translated as βThe Great Godβ or βThe Perfect Godβ is really up to the translator – I have equally seen it both ways in fantastic books!! I just tend to translate it as βThe Great Godβ for some reason!
Letβs break this down: πΉπ€ πΉ – God π€ – Good/Beautiful/Perfect
For a female pharaoh ππ», the title would look like this: πΉππ€ which would translate to βThe Perfect Goddess.β Adding a βπβ to the word πΉ makes it the feminine version!
π€ on its own in inscriptions translates to βbeautifulβ and appears often as well! This is another great word/symbol to be on the lookout for!
I hope you all are enjoying these little hieroglyph πΉππͺ phrase posts! Itβs different from other things I have done but I have enjoyed going through my photos and making them!
