Month: September 2025

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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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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

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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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

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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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

Imhotep π“‡π“…“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€œImhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ.” 

Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ
Different statues of Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ from museums around the world.

Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ was a non-royal man that lived during Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– third dynasty (around 2700 B.C.E.) during the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Djoser 𓂦𓂋. While Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ is best known for being the architect of Djoser’s Step Pyramid (and Egypt’s first ever pyramid 𓍋𓅓𓂋𓉴), he was also a high priest π“ŠΉπ“› of Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛!  About 2,000 𓆼𓆼 years after his death, Imhotep π“‡π“…“π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ became one of the few non-royal Egyptians to be deified. 

Let’s break down Imhotep’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– and its meaning! 

𓇍 – Come, Arrive

π“…“ – Who is, Who is in

π“Š΅π“π“Šͺ – Peace 

Let’s break down each symbol! 

The β€œreed with legs 𓇍” symbol is a combination of the β€œreed 𓇋” and the β€œwalking legs 𓂻” symbols. 𓇍 is a uniliteral phonogram symbol, and is usually associated with the sound β€œj.” 

The β€œowl 𓅓” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram that represents the sound of β€œm.” It usually appears as part of a word or it can be used to represent On, At, By, With, Who, and As! This symbol has so many meanings/uses! 

The β€œbread loaf on a 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” and can also be used as a phonetic complement, meaning it will add emphasis to the sounds of the symbol that comes before it, which is its function in Imhotep’s name! 

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” It is also acting as a phonetic complement, which means it is emphasizing the β€œp” sound in the β€œπ“Š΅π“π“Šͺ” part of Imhotep’s name. 

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

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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

Everyday π“‡³π“Ίπ“ŽŸ

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the word β€œEveryday π“‡³π“Ίπ“ŽŸ.” 

Everyday π“‡³π“Ίπ“ŽŸ
The word Everyday π“‡³π“Ίπ“ŽŸ as seen on a sarcophagus dated to the Middle Kingdom. This sarcophagus is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

The word everyday π“‡³π“Ίπ“ŽŸ will appear in funerary inscriptions especially on sarcophagi and false doors. 

Let’s break down the word! 

𓇳𓏺 – Day 

π“ŽŸ – Every, All 

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

The β€œsun 𓇳” symbol serves many functions and is a very common symbol to see in hieroglyphic inscriptions. It is a determinative for words that involve the sun, day, and time. It is also an ideogram for the words day, sun, and Ra. Depending on its use it will have different phonographic designations, with the most common being rˁ (ra). 

The β€œstroke 𓏺” has many different uses but here it is used not just to fill up extra space but to distinguish the word β€œday 𓇳𓏺” from other words that use the sun symbol – such as the god Ra! 

The β€œbasket π“ŽŸβ€ symbol is a  biliteral phonogram and is associated with the sound nb. Most commonly it can mean all, every, possessor, and Lord. 

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

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Upon His Hill π“Άπ“ˆ‹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 significance of the epithet β€œUpon His Hill/Mountain π“Άπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“Ί.” 

Upon His Hill
The variants of the epithet “Upon His Hill π“Άπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“Ί” as seen on many different inscriptions from Middle Kingdom Sarcophagi and a stela

The epithet β€œUpon His Hill π“Άπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“Ίβ€ or β€œUpon His Mountain” (depending on the translation) 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; he was always standing watch on tombs/cemeteries from above!Β 

Here are some variants of the phrase: 

π“Άπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“Ί

𓁢π“Šͺπ“ˆ‹π“†‘π“Ί

𓁢π“Šͺπ“ˆ‹π“Ίπ“†‘

Let’s break down the sentence! 

𓁢/𓁢π“Šͺ – Upon β€œtp”

π“ˆ‹ – Hill β€œαΈw”

𓆑 – His β€œf”

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

The β€œhead 𓁢” symbol is a biliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œtp.” It can also be used as an ideogram and determinative for the word β€œhead.” In this case it is a phonogram. 

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” In this phrase, it is acting as a phonetic complement, which means it is emphasizing the β€œp” sound in the β€œπ“Άπ“Šͺ” part of the phrase. 

The β€œmountain π“ˆ‹β€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram that represents the sound β€œαΈw.” It also functions as an ideogram for the words β€œmountain” and β€œhill.” 

The β€œhorned viper 𓆑” functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œf.” In this case, the singular symbol represents the word β€œhis,” which has a sound of just β€œf.” In Middle Egyptian, the pronoun comes after the word it is describing. 

The β€œstroke 𓏺” has many different uses but here it is used for aesthetic purposes! The β€œstroke 𓏺” is used to fill up that extra space as needed and can almost be thought of as punctuation! 

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

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God’s Booth π“ŠΉπ“‰±

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the phrase β€œGod’s Booth π“ŠΉπ“‰±.”

God's Booth π“ŠΉπ“‰±

The phrase β€œGod’s Booth π“ŠΉπ“‰±β€ is associated with the god Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 and appears as an epithet to his name when it appears in the very common β€œOffering Formula π“‡“π“π“Š΅π“™β€ which appears on various types of funerary equipment throughout Egyptian history. The God’s Booth π“ŠΉπ“‰± is a shrine specifically for Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣! 

Let’s break down the phrase: 

π“ŠΉ – God

𓉱 – Booth

Let’s break down each of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ a little bit more! 

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€œshrine facade 𓉱” is both a determinative and ideogram for the word β€œbooth.” 

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

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Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻

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

Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻
Pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was the word used to describe the rulers of ancient Egypt. This statue depicts Hatshepsut, a pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty.

In Middle Egyptian the word for pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 literally translates to β€œGreat House. β€œ this is a direct reference to the palace where the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 resided during his/her rule. The picture shows Hatshepsut 𓇳𓁦𓂓, my absolute favorite pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! 

Here’s what the hieroglyphs mean:

𓉐 – House (pr)

𓉻 – Great (ˁ3)

Let’s break the hieroglyphs down further: 

The β€œschematic house plan π“‰β€œ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œpr,” but it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œhouse 𓉐𓏺.” This symbol is commonly used as a determinative for words that have to do with buildings (tomb π“‡‹π“‡©π“Šƒπ“‰) or places (Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐). 

The β€œwooden column 𓉻” hieroglyph is a biliteral phonogram which represents the sound β€œΛ3.” This symbol does have a variant, 𓉼, which means the same, it’s just oriented at a different angle! It is commonly used to represent the word β€œGreat.” 

Fun Fact: the Roman Emperor Augustus used the word β€œpharaoh” as his cartouche instead of spelling out his name! Here is Augustus’ cartouche: 𓉐𓉻𓀀. This cartouche I have always found so fascinating because it is literally the word for pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 in Middle Egyptian plus the determinative sign π“€€.

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

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Image 𓏏𓅱𓏏

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

Image 𓏏𓅱𓏏
Image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 as seen on a Book of the Dead papyrus at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.

I am always so excited to see the word “𓏏𓅱𓏏” or β€œπ“π“…±π“π“€Ύβ€ appear in inscriptions! The reason I get so excited is because it was one of the first words I learned how to read in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and I remember being so proud that I knew what it meant!Β 

“𓏏𓅱𓏏” or β€œπ“π“…±π“π“€Ύβ€ can appear with or without the determinative symbol!

So what does β€œπ“π“…±π“π“€Ύβ€ mean? The word β€œπ“π“…±π“,” which can also be commonly written as β€œπ“π“…±π“β€ or less commonly β€œπ“π“…±π“π“›β€ can mean Image, Likeness, Statue, Figure, and Complete. The word has a phonetic value of β€œtwt,” but is inferred to be pronounced like β€œtut.” 

Let’s break down the symbols! 

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

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

The β€œMummy Standing 𓀾” symbol is both an ideogram and a determinative! The symbol is an ideogram for β€œtwt – Statue and Likeness.” It is a determinative for β€œMummy, Statue, Likeness, and Form.” 

The reason why β€œπ“π“…±π“π“€Ύ or 𓏏𓅱𓏏” was one of the first words I learned how to read is because it appears in the cartouche of Tutankhamun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“! Tutankhamun’s name means β€œLiving Image of Amun.” 

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

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