Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Today 𓏇𓇋𓈖𓇳 we are going to be looking at the name of the Egyptian god Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣. 

There are many variants of Anubis’ name and two of the most common variants are 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓃣 and 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱 like seen in my image but it was also commonly written as “𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣,” which is a full form of the name. As you can see, one variant has the determinant and one does not!

Let’s take a closer look at the name: 

𓇋 – ı͗

𓈖 – n

𓊪 – p 

𓅱 – w/u

𓃣 – not pronounced in this case

Egyptologists believe that the proper way to say Anubis in Middle Egyptian is “ı͗npw” (pronounced like “Inpu” or “Anpu”). “Anubis” is actually the Greek way to say the name! 

Let’s break down the symbols:

The “reed 𓇋” is a uniliteral phonogram for “ı͗,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word “reed 𓇋𓏺.” It is usually associated with modern English “I” or “Y” sounds. 

The “ripple of water 𓈖” is also a uniliteral phonogram. The “𓈖” is associated with the sound of “n!” 

The “stool 𓊪” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound “p.” 

The “Quail Chick 𓅱” is uniliteral phonogram that is representative of the sound w/u. 

The “recumbent jackal on shrine 𓃣” is used as both an ideogram and a determinative. 𓃣 is the determinative in the word “Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓃣” and also an ideogram for “Anubis 𓃣. When 𓃣 functions as an ideogram, the “𓃣” would be pronounced the same as “𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣,” which is the full way to write the name. This is my absolute favorite hieroglyphic symbol!

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and most importantly, my Nonno!