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Reading Hieroglyphs

Name in Hieroglyphs

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at the word for β€œname π“‚‹π“ˆ–β€ in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and the religious/cultural significance that a person’s name had in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–!Β 

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

Name in Hieroglyphs
The word “Name” in Hieroglyphs as depicted on a relief in an Old Kingdom tomb

In order to exist, a person needed to have five 𓏾 essential elements: the body π“Ž›π“‚π“„Ό, the shadow 𓆄𓏏𓅱𓋼, the Ba 𓅑𓏀, the Ka (soul/life force) 𓂓𓏀, and most importantly, the name π“‚‹π“ˆ–. Without a name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, the other four elements could not exist!

When a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– was written in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, it meant that the person would live π“‹Ή forever π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž›. The visual representation of a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– had the power to give the person eternal 𓆖 life π“‹Ή. This is why pharaohs wanted their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– on as many monuments as possible – their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ had immense power! 

This ancient belief about a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– having such significance is why I feel like I need to write about my Nonno and speak about him. My entire page is dedicated to his memory, and I feel like sharing his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– and image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 helps me to keep him alive even though he is no longer here. 

Let’s break down each of 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€œripple of water π“ˆ–β€ is a phonogram sign, and it functions as a uniliteral sign. The β€œπ“ˆ–β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn!” The π“ˆ– 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!Β 

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

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