“To Rule” in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪!

Today 𓏇𓇋𓈖𓇳 we are going to be looking at the  word “𓁷𓁶,” which has a bunch of different (but seemingly related) meanings in Middle Egyptian! 

Here is a list of some of the meanings of the word “𓁷𓁶”: 

-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 “face 𓁷” symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound ḥr and is an ideogram for the word “face.” 

The “head 𓁶” symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound “tp” and is an ideogram/determinative for the word “head.”

So all together the word “𓁷𓁶” would have a sound value of “ḥr-tp.”

The “face 𓁷” symbol is always fascinating to see because it’s artistically different from most of the other 750+ hieroglyphic symbols. The “face 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. 

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