Month: October 2023

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God’s Mother

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! What does the popular Middle Egyptian phrase β€œGod’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“…β€ mean? Before we delve into the meaning, let’s break down the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!Β 

God's Mother
“God’s Mother” in raised relief on display at the MET

β€œGod’s Mother” can be written three ways in hieroglyphs: 

π“ŠΉπ“π“…

π“ŠΉπ“…π“

π“ŠΉπ“…

This phrase is a combination of two different words: the word β€œGod π“ŠΉβ€ and the word β€œMother 𓅐𓏏𓁐/𓅐𓁐/𓏏𓅐𓁐.” 

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” or β€œnetjer.” 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€œvulture 𓅐” is a triliteral phonogram and represents the sounds β€œmjt/mwt” which we infer would be pronounced like β€œmut.” 

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

The phrase β€œGod’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“…β€ can have two different (but related) meanings in Middle Egyptian inscriptions. It can be used to refer to the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and will usually appear after her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in inscriptions. This is in reference to the fact that Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, who is the mythological ruler of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was thought to be a representation of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ on Earth. 

This brings us to the next meaning of this phrase! The phrase β€œGod’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“…β€ was an honorific title held by the woman who gave birth to the current pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! Since the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was a god on Earth, the woman who gave birth to him/her was quite literally the God’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“…!Β 

God's Mother
Another variant of “God’s Mother” painted on a piece of a sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum

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

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Egyptian Artifacts Video

Talatat – Video

These small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ blocks are called β€œTalatat” and were used solely during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–! These were used in the construction of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Karnak (this construction started when he was still Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€) and the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–.Β 

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These small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ blocks are called β€œTalatat” and were used solely during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–! These were used in the construction of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ at Karnak (this construction started when he was still Amenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€) and the palace π“‚π“Ž›π“π“‰₯𓉐 at Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–. Akhetaten π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– was the capital of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–. These limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ blocks were unique because they were so small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© a single worker could carry them and put it into place. This was meant to expedite construction and make building a lot faster. The Talatat are also unique because they were only used during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–, and were never used again. Even though originally from Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–, these Talatat were actually found at Hermopolis because after Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, his monuments 𓏠𓏍 were destroyed and building materials were used by other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦! These Talatat at the MET were once brightly painted in striking colors, as was most of the Egyptian monuments 𓏠𓏍. A lot of the colors you see on these blocks are restored and not necessarily the original colors. Tens of thousands of Talatat have been found across Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, Egyptian mythology, art, culture and more! This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. @ancientegyptblog #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #historytok #egyptology #ancient_egypt #pharaoh #akhenaten #metropolitanmuseum #egypt

♬ Epic Music(863502) – Draganov89

These limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ blocks were unique because they were so small π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© a single worker could carry them and put it into place. This was meant to expedite construction and make building a lot faster. The Talatat are also unique because they were only used during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ–, and were never used again. 

Even though originally from Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š–, these Talatat were actually found at Hermopolis because after Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…žπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“, his monuments 𓏠𓏍 were destroyed and building materials were used by other pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦! 

These Talatat at the MET were once brightly painted in striking colors, as was most of the Egyptian monuments 𓏠𓏍. A lot of the colors you see on these blocks are restored and not necessarily the original colors. 

Tens of thousands of Talatat have been found across Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. 

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblogΒ onΒ InstagramΒ andΒ TikTokΒ to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!Β 

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Blog

Hieroglyphs and Cursive Hieroglyphs

Did you know that there are two different types of hieroglyphic scripts? There are Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, and then there are Cursive Hieroglyphs! 

Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, the script everyone is most familiar with, was the first 𓏃 script used by the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ to write their language! There are well over 700 𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲 unique hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and over 800 𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲 symbols if you count the variants! Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ were mainly used on temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“₯, stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“ͺ, tombs π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰π“₯, obelisks 𓉢𓉢𓉢, other funerary equipment  π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­ such as sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ and other objects of all kinds! 

Then there are Cursive Hieroglyphs which are also known as Hieroglyphic Book Hand! This was usually used on handwritten papyri 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛𓏦 and was a less detailed version of the traditional hieroglyphic symbols. Cursive Hieroglyphs are easy to read because these symbols match their traditional hieroglyphic counterparts!Β The most difficult part can sometimes be deciphering the handwriting – a problem that we still see today even with modern written scripts!

In the images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦, I have the same phrases of the same phrases written in Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and Cursive Hieroglyphs so you can visually see the comparison between the two 𓏻 forms of writing! A pattern I’ve noticed about Cursive Hieroglyphs is that the shorter variants of words and phrases is more commonly used as opposed to the traditional hieroglyphic script!Β 

Hieroglyphs and Cursive Hieroglyphs
A comparison of the two scripts – both show the phrase “Words Spoken By Osiris”

The image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above shows two 𓏻 variants of the phrase β€œWords Spoken By Osiris”

π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ (Hieroglyphs)

π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹ π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉ (Cursive Hieroglyphs)

Hieroglyphs and Cursive Hieroglyphs
A comparison of the two scripts – both write the word “To Be” or “To Exist”

The image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 above shows two 𓏻 variants of the word β€œTo Be” or β€œTo Exist.” 

π“ƒΉπ“ˆ– (Cursive Hieroglyphs)

π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“ˆ– (Hieroglyphs)

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphic Vocabulary – Week 6

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

Here is Week 6 𓏿 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! 

This week I had a gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ theme! 

  1. Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑, π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘
  2. Hapi π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺπ“‡Œ, 𓐑π“Šͺπ“‡Œ
  3. Qebehsenuef π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘, π“π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“Œ’π“π“₯𓆑, π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘π“€­
  4. Imseti π“‡‹π“…“π“Šƒπ“Ώ, π“‡‹π“π“‹΄π“˜π“‡‹
  5. Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±, π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“€­
  6. Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹, π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“€­
  7. Nephthys 𓉠, π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“†‡

These are all words that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time you’re at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! 

Here is a link to the video on TikTok – with music!

@ancientegyptblog

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here is Week 6 𓏿 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! This week I had a gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ theme! 1. Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑, π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ 2. Hapi π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺπ“‡Œ, 𓐑π“Šͺπ“‡Œ 3. Qebehsenuef π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘, π“π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“Œ’π“π“₯𓆑, π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘π“€­ 4. Imseti π“‡‹π“…“π“Šƒπ“Ώ, π“‡‹π“π“‹΄π“˜π“‡‹ 5. Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±, π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“€­ 6. Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹, π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“€­ 7. Nephthys 𓉠, π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“†‡ These are all words that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time you’re at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! This is my personal photograph/video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #historytok #languagelearning #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #egyptology #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #ancient_egypt

♬ Just A Girl – No Doubt

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Egyptian Artifacts

Monkey Statue from Amarna

How cute is this blue 𓇋𓁹𓏏𓄿𓏸π“₯ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of a monkey π“ŽΌπ“„Ώπ“†‘π“ƒΈ?

Monkey Statue
A blue faience monkey statue from Amarna on display at the Brooklyn Museum

This statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is from Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– and is dated to Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ in the 18th Dynasty. This piece strikes me as interesting for an Amarna-era piece because it doesn’t look like the β€œtypical” Amarna-era art style! It’s more realistic looking instead of having exaggerated features!Β 

One really cool feature about this monkey π“ŽΌπ“„Ώπ“†‘π“ƒΈ statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 is that his ears are pierced! It’s possible that in antiquity the statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 had earrings – how cool is that? The Brooklyn Museum has speculated that the presence of an earring would be an indication that this statue 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 represented a household pet. If a person had a monkey π“ŽΌπ“„Ώπ“†‘π“„› as a household pet in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, that meant that the person was extremely wealthy because monkeys had to be imported into Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– from far away and were extremely expensive! 

The monkey π“Ž‘π“‡Œπ“ƒΈ also seems to be holding something round in his hands – my guess is that it’s some type of fruit! 

There are a lot of different ways to write the word for β€œmonkey” in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, however, a lot of these variants are similar except for the determinative used at the end! Here’s a list of some of the variants here (there are actually too many to list): 

π“ŽΌπ“„Ώπ“†‘π“ƒ»

π“ŽΌπ“„Ώπ“†‘π“ƒΈ

π“ŽΌπ“„Ώπ“†‘π“„›

π“ŽΌπ“„Ώπ“†‘π“„œ

π“Ž‘π“‡Œπ“ƒΈ

π“†“π“Ž›π“†“π“Ž›π“ƒ»

Thank you to my sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“π“ for taking this wonderful picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏!

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut – Video

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! In ancient Egypt many pharaohs had five names, so let’s learn the Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut!Β 

This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ is one of my absolute favorite pieces because depicts Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 during their joint reign. Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is wearing the blue crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ and making an offering of nemset jars π“Œπ“Œπ“Œ to Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί. The stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ was meant to commemorate restoration works in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–!

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut

The most interesting parts about this stela is that it is one of two pieces (that I know of) that contains Hatshepsut’s entire titulary in one place! The only other place I know that has all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ is the Obelisk at Karnak. 

Let’s take a closer look at all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦! The names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ can be found on the top two rows of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the bottom of the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ!

Horus Name: π“„Šπ“‹΄π“π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – β€œWosretkau” translates to β€œThe Mighty of the Kas” or β€œThe Mighty of the Souls.”

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut
The Horus Name of Hatshepsut

Nebty Name: 𓅒𓇅𓏏𓆳𓆳𓆳 – β€œWadjet renput” translates to β€œFlourishing of Years.”

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut
The Nebty Name of Hatshepsut

Golden Horus Name: π“…‰π“ŠΉπ“π“ˆπ“¦ – β€œNetjeret khau” translates to β€œDivine of Appearances.”

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut
The Golden Horus Name of Hatshepsut

Throne Name: 𓇳𓁦𓂓 – β€œMaatkare” translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” 

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut
The Throne Name of Hatshepsut

Birth Name: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό – β€œKhnemet Amun Hatshepsut” translates to β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.” This version of the Birth Name that appears on this stela is a variant of π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ. A β€œvariant” is just a different way to spell out a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–!

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut
The Birth Name of Hatshepsut

If you watch the video on TikTok below, there is music accompanying the images! I hope you enjoyed learning about The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut!

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Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! In ancient Egypt many pharaohs had five names! This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ is one of my absolute favorite pieces because depicts Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 during their joint reign. Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is wearing the blue crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ and making an offering of nemset jars π“Œπ“Œπ“Œ to Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί. The stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ was meant to commemorate restoration works in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–! The most interesting parts about this stela is that it is one of two pieces (that I know of) that contains Hatshepsut’s entire titulary in one place! The only other place I know that has all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ is the Obelisk at Karnak. Let’s take a closer look at all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦! The names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ can be found on the top two rows of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the bottom of the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ! Horus Name: π“„Šπ“‹΄π“π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – β€œWosretkau” translates to β€œThe Mighty of the Kas” or β€œThe Mighty of the Souls.” Nebty Name: 𓅒𓇅𓏏𓆳𓆳𓆳 – β€œWadjet renput” translates to β€œFlourishing of Years.” Golden Horus Name: π“…‰π“ŠΉπ“π“ˆπ“¦ – β€œNetjeret khau” translates to β€œDivine of Appearances.” Throne Name: 𓇳𓁦𓂓 – β€œMaatkare” translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” Birth Name: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό – β€œKhnemet Amun Hatshepsut” translates to β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.” This version of the Birth Name that appears on this stela is a variant of π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ. A β€œvariant” is just a different way to spell out a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! This is my personal video, photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #historytok #languagelearning #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #pharaoh #hatshepsut #vaticanmuseum #metropolitanmuseum

♬ Ahsoka – Main Theme – Epic Version – L’Orchestra Cinematique

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Follow me @ancientegyptblogΒ onΒ InstagramΒ andΒ TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!Β 

Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Animals in Ancient Egypt

Happy World Animal Day!Β Let’s learn about the significance of Animals in Ancient Egypt!

Animals in Ancient Egypt
Me with a blue faience hippo at the Brooklyn Museum! The blue faience hippos are one of my absolute favorite types of artifacts!

Believe it or not, there is no Middle Egyptian word for β€œanimal” – there was the word β€œπ“Œšπ“…“π“„›β€ but it translates more accurately to β€œbeast” than to all animals in general. What I love about language 𓂋𓏺 is that even a small detail such as this can show us so much about the culture of the people who spoke it!Β 

Animals in Ancient Egypt
An ibis on display at the MET

In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, Animals were usually referred to by their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– instead of as a singular category. What I love about Middle Egyptian is that the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– the animal was given was sometimes very similar to the sound the animal made! For example, the Middle Egyptian word for cat is 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠 (miu) which can be pronounced similarly to β€œmeow.” The word for dog is 𓃛𓅱𓃛𓅱π“ƒ₯ (iwiw) which can almost sound like β€œwoof woof.”

Animals in Ancient Egypt
A cat mummy on display at the MET

Why is this significant? It shows that the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ didn’t regard animals as different from humans or less than humans (unlike the Greeks and Romans, and eventually Western cultures). Animals were living things that contained a ba 𓅑𓏺 (part of the soul that is active in this world and the spiritual world). They could become gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ through death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž just like humans.Β 

Animals in Ancient Egypt
Hathor in her cow form from the Book of the Dead of Imhotep at the MET

Animals like cats 𓅓𓇋𓅱𓃠π“ͺ, ibises 𓉔𓃀𓅀π“ͺ, cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒𓏦, snakes π“‡‹π“‚π“‚‹π“π“†˜π“ͺ, hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦, and many others were held in high regard due to the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ who could take the form of those animals!Β 

Animals in Ancient Egypt
A fish bowl on display at the Brooklyn Museum

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

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Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

The Rainbow Fish

My sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ has always said that this piece reminds her of the children’s book β€œThe Rainbow Fish,” and thanks to her that’s how I always refer to this piece!Β 

The Rainbow Fish
Do you think this little fish rattle at the Brooklyn Museum looks like The Rainbow Fish?

This beautifully π“„€ colored fish 𓂋𓅓𓆛 represents a tilapia π“‡‹π“†›π“ˆ–π“π“†›! The Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ viewed the tilapia π“‡‹π“†›π“ˆ–π“π“†› as a symbol of regeneration and rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±. Both of these concepts were super important in the Egyptian religion, so they held tilapia π“‡‹π“†›π“ˆ–π“π“†› in very high regard! 

What is so cool about this piece is that it is actually a rattle! There are little clay π“Šͺπ“ˆ–π“‹΄π“ˆ‡ pellets inside of it, which represents the eggs. This was most likely a ritual object; either played during childbirth or placed in a tomb π“‡‹π“«π“Šƒπ“‰ to help the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 with their rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±! 

The blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛 coloring on the fish 𓂋𓅓𓆛 is purely decorative as tilapia π“‡‹π“†›π“ˆ–π“π“†› are not this color in real life! However, these particular colors used (blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛, red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ and black π“†Žπ“…“) are very typical of the color palette used at Amenhotep III’s π“‡³π“§π“Ž  palace at Malqata and at Amarna π“ˆŒπ“π“‰π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“Š– during Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– reign. This piece is estimated to be from the late 18th Dynasty and is thought to be from Saqqara π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–. 

From a hieroglyphic standpoint, the tilapia symbol 𓆛 is the main determinative for β€œfish 𓂋𓅓𓆛!” This demonstrates just how important the Egyptians viewed the tilapia – a lot of their fish related words contained the tilapia 𓆛! Tilapia also has its own word which is β€œπ“‡‹π“†›π“ˆ–π“π“†›.” 

The Rainbow Fish
The Rainbow Fish with the word for “tilapia” in hieroglyphs!

Thanks 𓋴𓏏𓍯𓄿𓀒 to my sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ for taking this picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏!

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

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Categories
Video

Inner Cartonnage of Gautseshenu – Video

This stunningly painted piece is the Inner Cartonnage of a person named Gautseshenu. This piece would have been placed inside a larger coffin and is made of cartonnage (ancient paper mache). It is dated to the 25th Dynasty (Third Intermediate Period). It was found in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š– and it’s amazing how well preserved it is and how bright the colors are.Β 

The Weighing of the Heart scene from the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is my absolute favorite type of religious art from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. As a kid, I loved it because Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 was the central god π“ŠΉ in the scene, and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 is my favorite Egyptian god π“ŠΉ . As an adult, I love what the scene represents and the symbolism behind it.

For those unfamiliar with the context of the scene, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 weighs the heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 against Maat’s π“Œ΄π“™π“‚£π“π“¦ feather. If Anubis determines there’s balance between the two, then the deceased would be presented to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨ π“€­ by Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. The simplified version of the scene represented on this cartonnage is missing Thoth π“…€π“€­ and Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏. 

If you’re looking at the inner cartonnage/coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 from the front, you can see Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛(the winged beetle) and the Four Sons of Horus beneath him. I feel like this coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 is the Sparks Notes version of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 – it kinda gives you some of the most important parts of it in a very small amount of space!Β 

You can also watch this video (with music) on TikTok!

@ancientegyptblog

This stunningly painted piece is the Inner Cartonnage of a person named Gautseshenu. This piece would have been placed inside a larger coffin and is made of cartonnage (ancient paper mache). It is dated to the 25th Dynasty (Third Intermediate Period). It was found in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š– and it’s amazing how well preserved it is and how bright the colors are. The Weighing of the Heart scene from the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 is my absolute favorite type of religious art from ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. As a kid, I loved it because Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 was the central god π“ŠΉ in the scene, and Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 is my favorite Egyptian god π“ŠΉ . As an adult, I love what the scene represents and the symbolism behind it. For those unfamiliar with the context of the scene, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 weighs the heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 against Maat’s π“Œ΄π“™π“‚£π“π“¦ feather. If Anubis determines there’s balance between the two, then the deceased would be presented to Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨ π“€­ by Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. The simplified version of the scene represented on this cartonnage is missing Thoth π“…€π“€­ and Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏. If you’re looking at the coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 from the front, you can see Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛(the winged beetle) and the Four Sons of Horus beneath him. I feel like this coffin 𓅱𓇋𓀾 is the Sparks Notes version of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 – it kinda gives you some of the most important parts of it in a very small amount of space! This is my personal video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #historytok #egypt #brooklynmuseum #anubis #bookofthedead

♬ snowfall – Øneheart & reidenshi

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Categories
Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphic Vocabulary – Week 5

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! It’s time for Week 5 of my Hieroglyphic Vocabulary!

In the video above is Week 5 𓏾 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult!Β 

  1. Voice Offering/Invocation Offering 𓉓
  2. Son of Ra 𓅭𓇳
  3. Before 𓐍𓂋
  4. Priest/High Priest π“ŠΉπ“›
  5. Lord, Master, All, Possessor π“ŽŸ
  6. Image, Likeness, Statue, Figure 𓏏𓅱𓏏, 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾
  7. King’s Acquaintance 𓇓𓂋𓐍𓏏/ 𓇓𓏏𓂋𓐍𓏏 (female), 𓇓𓏏𓂋𓐍 / 𓇓𓂋𓐍 (male)

These are all words that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time you’re at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words!Β 

You can also watch the video (with music) on TikTok!

@ancientegyptblog

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here is Week 5 𓏾 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! 1. Voice Offering/Invocation Offering 𓉓 2. Son of Ra 𓅭𓇳 3. Before 𓐍𓂋 4. Priest/High Priest π“ŠΉπ“› 5. Lord, Master, All, Possessor π“ŽŸ 6. Image, Likeness, Statue, Figure 𓏏𓅱𓏏, 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 7. King’s Acquaintance 𓇓𓂋𓐍𓏏/ 𓇓𓏏𓂋𓐍𓏏 (female), 𓇓𓏏𓂋𓐍 / 𓇓𓂋𓐍 (male) These are all words that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time you’re at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! This is my personal photographs/video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #egyptologist #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #egypt #languagelearning #historytok

♬ Circles – Instrumental – Post Malone

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