Wepwawet 𓄋𓈐𓏏𓏥𓃧

Let’s read some hieroglyphs 𓊹𓌃𓏪! Today 𓏇𓇋𓈖𓇳 we are going to be looking at the name of the Egyptian god “Wepwawet 𓄋𓈐𓏏𓏥𓃧.”

Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 isn’t the only jackal in ancient Egypt! Wepwawet 𓄋𓈐𓏏𓏥 is likely the oldest god 𓊹 associated with the jackal 𓊃𓄿𓃀𓃥 and is associated with war/conquest, and leading ritual processions. Wepwawet’s 𓄋𓈐𓏏𓏥 name 𓂋𓈖 translates to “Opener of the Ways.” 

Let’s take a closer look at the name:

𓄋 – wp

𓈐 – w3

𓏏 – t

𓏥 – w

𓃧 – determinative (not pictured here but still wanted to show it) 

Let’s break down the symbols: 

The “horns 𓄋” symbol is a biliteral phonogram that has the sound of “wp.” 

The “path with shrubs 𓈐” symbol is an ideogram or determinative for the words “road” and “way.” and represents the sound “w3t” or “w3.” In transliteration, the “3” makes an “ah” sound (like in the word “yacht”). 

The “flat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound “t.” Here it is acting as a phonetic complement and emphasizing the “t” sound at the end of “w3t 𓈐.” 

The “three strokes 𓏥” symbol is what makes “ways” plural in Wepwawet’s name! The “three strokes 𓏥” is associated with the sound “w” when making a word plural.

The “jackal on a standard 𓃧” symbol is both an ideogram and a determinative for “Wepwawet.” This is why Wepwawet’s name can be written with just the symbol! This is the most common determinative to see associated with his name.

Here are some other variants of his name: 𓄋𓈐𓏏𓏥𓃧, 𓄋𓈐𓏏𓏥𓁢, 𓄋𓈐𓈐𓈐, 𓄋𓈐𓈐𓈐𓀭, 𓃧. 

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!