Tag: hieroglyph lessons

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Hieroglyphic Vocabulary – WeekΒ 7

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

Here is Week 7 𓐀 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! 

  1. God π“ŠΉ, π“€­
  2. Goddess π“ŠΉπ“
  3. To Be/To Exist π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“ˆ–, π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–
  4. God’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“π“…, π“ŠΉπ“…
  5. Given Life Like Ra 𓏙𓋹𓇳𓏺𓏇
  6. Lord of the Two Lands π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ
  7. True of Voice π“™π“Š€, π“™π“…±π“π“Š€
@ancientegyptblog

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here is Week 7 𓐀 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! 1. God π“ŠΉ, π“€­ 2. Goddess π“ŠΉπ“ 3. To Be/To Exist π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“ˆ–, π“ƒΉπ“ˆ– 4. God’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“π“…, π“ŠΉπ“… 5. Given Life Like Ra 𓏙𓋹𓇳𓏺𓏇 6. Lord of the Two Lands π“ŽŸπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ 7. True of Voice π“™π“Š€, π“™π“…±π“π“Š€ These are all words/phrases that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time you’re at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! This is my personal photograph/video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #ancient_egypt #historytok #egyptology #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #languagelearning

♬ Le Monde – From Talk to Me – Richard Carter

These are all words/phrases that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time you’re at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! 

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! 

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God’s Mother

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! What does the popular Middle Egyptian phrase β€œGod’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“…β€ mean? Before we delve into the meaning, let’s break down the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!Β 

God's Mother
“God’s Mother” in raised relief on display at the MET

β€œGod’s Mother” can be written three ways in hieroglyphs: 

π“ŠΉπ“π“…

π“ŠΉπ“…π“

π“ŠΉπ“…

This phrase is a combination of two different words: the word β€œGod π“ŠΉβ€ and the word β€œMother 𓅐𓏏𓁐/𓅐𓁐/𓏏𓅐𓁐.” 

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” or β€œnetjer.” 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€œvulture 𓅐” is a triliteral phonogram and represents the sounds β€œmjt/mwt” which we infer would be pronounced like β€œmut.” 

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

The phrase β€œGod’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“…β€ can have two different (but related) meanings in Middle Egyptian inscriptions. It can be used to refer to the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and will usually appear after her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in inscriptions. This is in reference to the fact that Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, who is the mythological ruler of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– and the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was thought to be a representation of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ on Earth. 

This brings us to the next meaning of this phrase! The phrase β€œGod’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“…β€ was an honorific title held by the woman who gave birth to the current pharaoh 𓉐𓉻! Since the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was a god on Earth, the woman who gave birth to him/her was quite literally the God’s Mother π“ŠΉπ“…!Β 

God's Mother
Another variant of “God’s Mother” painted on a piece of a sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblogΒ onΒ InstagramΒ andΒ TikTokΒ to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more!Β 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphic Vocabulary – Week 6

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

Here is Week 6 𓏿 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! 

This week I had a gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ theme! 

  1. Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑, π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘
  2. Hapi π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺπ“‡Œ, 𓐑π“Šͺπ“‡Œ
  3. Qebehsenuef π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘, π“π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“Œ’π“π“₯𓆑, π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘π“€­
  4. Imseti π“‡‹π“…“π“Šƒπ“Ώ, π“‡‹π“π“‹΄π“˜π“‡‹
  5. Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±, π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“€­
  6. Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹, π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“€­
  7. Nephthys 𓉠, π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“†‡

These are all words that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time you’re at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! 

Here is a link to the video on TikTok – with music!

@ancientegyptblog

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here is Week 6 𓏿 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! This week I had a gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ theme! 1. Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑, π“‡Όπ“‚Ÿπ“π“†‘ 2. Hapi π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺπ“‡Œ, 𓐑π“Šͺπ“‡Œ 3. Qebehsenuef π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘, π“π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“Œ’π“π“₯𓆑, π“π“Œ’π“Œ’π“Œ’π“†‘π“€­ 4. Imseti π“‡‹π“…“π“Šƒπ“Ώ, π“‡‹π“π“‹΄π“˜π“‡‹ 5. Montu π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±, π“ π“ˆ–π“Ώπ“…±π“€­ 6. Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹, π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“€­ 7. Nephthys 𓉠, π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“†‡ These are all words that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time you’re at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! This is my personal photograph/video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #historytok #languagelearning #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #egyptology #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #ancient_egypt

♬ Just A Girl – No Doubt

Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! 

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut – Video

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! In ancient Egypt many pharaohs had five names, so let’s learn the Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut! 

@ancientegyptblog

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! In ancient Egypt many pharaohs had five names! This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ is one of my absolute favorite pieces because depicts Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 during their joint reign. Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is wearing the blue crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ and making an offering of nemset jars π“Œπ“Œπ“Œ to Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί. The stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ was meant to commemorate restoration works in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–! The most interesting parts about this stela is that it is one of two pieces (that I know of) that contains Hatshepsut’s entire titulary in one place! The only other place I know that has all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ is the Obelisk at Karnak. Let’s take a closer look at all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦! The names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ can be found on the top two rows of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the bottom of the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ! Horus Name: π“„Šπ“‹΄π“π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – β€œWosretkau” translates to β€œThe Mighty of the Kas” or β€œThe Mighty of the Souls.” Nebty Name: 𓅒𓇅𓏏𓆳𓆳𓆳 – β€œWadjet renput” translates to β€œFlourishing of Years.” Golden Horus Name: π“…‰π“ŠΉπ“π“ˆπ“¦ – β€œNetjeret khau” translates to β€œDivine of Appearances.” Throne Name: 𓇳𓁦𓂓 – β€œMaatkare” translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” Birth Name: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό – β€œKhnemet Amun Hatshepsut” translates to β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.” This version of the Birth Name that appears on this stela is a variant of π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ. A β€œvariant” is just a different way to spell out a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! This is my personal video, photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #historytok #languagelearning #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #pharaoh #hatshepsut #vaticanmuseum #metropolitanmuseum

♬ Ahsoka – Main Theme – Epic Version – L’Orchestra Cinematique

This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ is one of my absolute favorite pieces because depicts Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 during their joint reign. Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is wearing the blue crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ and making an offering of nemset jars π“Œπ“Œπ“Œ to Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί. The stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ was meant to commemorate restoration works in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–!

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut

The most interesting parts about this stela is that it is one of two pieces (that I know of) that contains Hatshepsut’s entire titulary in one place! The only other place I know that has all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ is the Obelisk at Karnak. 

Let’s take a closer look at all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦! The names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ can be found on the top two rows of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the bottom of the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ!

Horus Name: π“„Šπ“‹΄π“π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – β€œWosretkau” translates to β€œThe Mighty of the Kas” or β€œThe Mighty of the Souls.”

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut
The Horus Name of Hatshepsut

Nebty Name: 𓅒𓇅𓏏𓆳𓆳𓆳 – β€œWadjet renput” translates to β€œFlourishing of Years.”

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut
The Nebty Name of Hatshepsut

Golden Horus Name: π“…‰π“ŠΉπ“π“ˆπ“¦ – β€œNetjeret khau” translates to β€œDivine of Appearances.”

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut
The Golden Horus Name of Hatshepsut

Throne Name: 𓇳𓁦𓂓 – β€œMaatkare” translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” 

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut
The Throne Name of Hatshepsut

Birth Name: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό – β€œKhnemet Amun Hatshepsut” translates to β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.” This version of the Birth Name that appears on this stela is a variant of π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ. A β€œvariant” is just a different way to spell out a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–!

The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut
The Birth Name of Hatshepsut

If you watch the video on TikTok below, there is music accompanying the images! I hope you enjoyed learning about The Royal Titularly of Hatshepsut!

@ancientegyptblog

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! In ancient Egypt many pharaohs had five names! This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ is one of my absolute favorite pieces because depicts Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ and Thutmosis III 𓇳𓏠𓆣 during their joint reign. Hatshepsut π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ is wearing the blue crown π“†£π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“‹™ and making an offering of nemset jars π“Œπ“Œπ“Œ to Amun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί. The stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ was meant to commemorate restoration works in Thebes π“Œ€π“π“Š–! The most interesting parts about this stela is that it is one of two pieces (that I know of) that contains Hatshepsut’s entire titulary in one place! The only other place I know that has all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ is the Obelisk at Karnak. Let’s take a closer look at all of Hatshepsut’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦! The names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ can be found on the top two rows of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ on the bottom of the stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ! Horus Name: π“„Šπ“‹΄π“π“‚“π“‚“π“‚“ – β€œWosretkau” translates to β€œThe Mighty of the Kas” or β€œThe Mighty of the Souls.” Nebty Name: 𓅒𓇅𓏏𓆳𓆳𓆳 – β€œWadjet renput” translates to β€œFlourishing of Years.” Golden Horus Name: π“…‰π“ŠΉπ“π“ˆπ“¦ – β€œNetjeret khau” translates to β€œDivine of Appearances.” Throne Name: 𓇳𓁦𓂓 – β€œMaatkare” translates to β€œTruth is the Soul of Re.” Birth Name: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“„‚π“€Ό – β€œKhnemet Amun Hatshepsut” translates to β€œUnited with Amun, Foremost of the Noble Women.” This version of the Birth Name that appears on this stela is a variant of π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ. A β€œvariant” is just a different way to spell out a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! Follow me to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! This is my personal video, photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #historytok #languagelearning #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #pharaoh #hatshepsut #vaticanmuseum #metropolitanmuseum

♬ Ahsoka – Main Theme – Epic Version – L’Orchestra Cinematique

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

Follow me @ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok to learn all about ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs, mythology, culture and more! 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphic Vocabulary – Week 5

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! It’s time for Week 5 of my Hieroglyphic Vocabulary!

In the video above is Week 5 𓏾 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! 

  1. Voice Offering/Invocation Offering 𓉓
  2. Son of Ra 𓅭𓇳
  3. Before 𓐍𓂋
  4. Priest/High Priest π“ŠΉπ“›
  5. Lord, Master, All, Possessor π“ŽŸ
  6. Image, Likeness, Statue, Figure 𓏏𓅱𓏏, 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾
  7. King’s Acquaintance 𓇓𓂋𓐍𓏏/ 𓇓𓏏𓂋𓐍𓏏 (female), 𓇓𓏏𓂋𓐍 / 𓇓𓂋𓐍 (male)

These are all words that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time you’re at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! 

You can also watch the video (with music) on TikTok!

@ancientegyptblog

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here is Week 5 𓏾 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! 1. Voice Offering/Invocation Offering 𓉓 2. Son of Ra 𓅭𓇳 3. Before 𓐍𓂋 4. Priest/High Priest π“ŠΉπ“› 5. Lord, Master, All, Possessor π“ŽŸ 6. Image, Likeness, Statue, Figure 𓏏𓅱𓏏, 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 7. King’s Acquaintance 𓇓𓂋𓐍𓏏/ 𓇓𓏏𓂋𓐍𓏏 (female), 𓇓𓏏𓂋𓐍 / 𓇓𓂋𓐍 (male) These are all words that you will come across in inscriptions! Next time you’re at a museum, see if you can spot these ancient Egyptian words! This is my personal photographs/video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #egyptologist #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #egypt #languagelearning #historytok

♬ Circles – Instrumental – Post Malone

This is my personal photographs/video and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblog on Instagram and TikTok!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“Image” in Hieroglyphs

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at a word that I use frequently in my descriptions, β€œπ“π“…±π“,” which translates to β€œimage,” β€œlikeness,” β€œstatue,” or β€œfigure.”

Image
The word “Image” in hieroglyphs from a papyrus on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

I also utilize this particular word to translate the words β€œpicture” and β€œphoto” because that would be the closest Middle Egyptian to English translation! For the word β€œstatue,” the β€œπ“€Ύβ€ determinative is put at the end of the word so it would be spelled like β€œπ“π“…±π“π“€Ύ.” 

The importance of the visual representation of the deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ was embedded in ancient Egyptian religion and culture. For example, when the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 was alive, he/she was thought to be the living image 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓋹 of the God π“ŠΉ Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. 

The Egyptians built temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ and shrines π“π“Šƒπ“…“π“‚œπ“‰π“¦ to their gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ because they believed that the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ could be approached and prayed to through the statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾π“ͺ that resided in these places of worship. The statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏π“ͺ or β€œimages of the gods” were thought to be the actual deity and were thus treated with great reverence 𓐍π“„ͺπ“…± and respect. 

Another example is that when a person’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ– was written down 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 on as many monuments as possible – their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ had immense power! 

Let’s break down the symbols in the word β€œπ“π“…±π“!” 

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is a super common symbol that you will see in a lot of inscriptions! It is a uniliteral phonogram sign, which means it has the sound of a single consonant. The β€œπ“…±β€ is representative of the sound β€œw” or β€œu.” This symbol is also an ideogram for the word β€œchick 𓅱𓏺.”

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺.”

So why did I choose to highlight this particular word? β€œπ“π“…±π“β€ was one of the first words that I learned when I was first starting to read hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! The reason is because it is part of Tutankhamunβ€˜s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ cartouche, which translates to β€œLiving Image of Amun!” 

Here is a breakdown of Tutankhamunβ€˜s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“π“…±π“π“‹Ήπ“‹Ύπ“‰Ίπ“‡“ name π“‚‹π“ˆ–:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– – Amun

𓏏𓅱𓏏 – Tut (image)

π“‹Ή – Ankh (life/living)

π“‹Ύ – Ruler

𓉺 – of/on

𓇓 – Upper Egypt

As a side note, I am a visual learner, and I think that’s why I’m really great at things like reading hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ and geology – both are topics which require the brain to use images and visuals over other types of processing. Even when I speak English and Italian I see the words in my head as if they are subtitles so I think my visual brain is why I am good at languages! Plus I always say that rocks are the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ of the Earth, so I am grouping geology in with languages too!Β Despite the auditory nature of languages, for me, they are actually more visual.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Cartouche of Akhenaten

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be looking at the birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ–!Β 

Cartouche of Akhenaten
The Birth Name cartouche of pharaoh Akhenaten on display at the Vatican Museum

Now, calling this his β€œbirth name” cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· is a little misleading because Akhenaten’s π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– birth name wasn’t actually β€œAkhenaten!” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– was given when he was born was Amenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€, and since he was the fourth pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 with that name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, Egyptologists have called him β€œAmenhotep IV π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€.” 

Why did Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– change his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– from Amenhotep π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“Š΅π“ŠΉπ“‹Ύπ“Œ€ to Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– during year five 𓏾 of his reign? The change in name π“‚‹π“ˆ– reflects the religious revolution that was happening at the time. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– is famous for disrupting the entire Egyptian religious tradition and changing it from a polytheistic worship of the traditional pantheon to a monotheistic worship of the Aten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³. 

Let’s break down the meaning of Akhenaten’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³ – Aten 

π“…œπ“ – Spirit

π“ˆ– – Of

Cartouche of Akhenaten
The Cartouche of Akhenaten with the meaning of the hieroglyphs written next to the symbols.

So all together, the name β€œAkhenaten” translates to β€œSpirit of the Aten.” 

One of the greatest things about reading cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“ͺ is that practicing with them will allow you to begin to understand hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ much more easily! The names of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻 contain many common symbols, words, and phrases in Middle Egyptian! One of the ways I started learning was by reading the cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“ͺ!

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

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Reading Hieroglyphs

“A Voice Offering” Hieroglyphic Symbol

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/phrase “A Voice Offering β€œπ“‰“.”

A Voice Offering
The composite hieroglyph symbol for “A Voice Offering” painted on a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus at the MET.

𓉓 is classified as a composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ. A composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ is a single hieroglyphic symbol that is actually a combination of multiple symbols! The individual symbols do not lose their phonetic meaning when they become the composite hieroglyph π“ŠΉπ“Œƒ, instead they combine to just make a multi-consonant symbol! Composite hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ can be phonograms, ideograms, or determinatives too!Β 

While a lot of the composite hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are combinations of two 𓏻 symbols, β€œπ“‰“β€ is actually a combination of four 𓏽 symbols! I like to think of composite hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ as a math equation: 

𓉓 = 𓉐 + π“Š€ + 𓏑 + π“Š

Here is the modern name, (and sound value in parentheses) designated to each of the symbols that are part of 𓉓:

𓉐 – House Plan (pr) 

π“Š€ – Oar (αΈ«rw)

𓏑 – Bread (t)

π“Š – Beer Jug (usually a determinative like in this case, but can be hnw on occasion) 

𓉓 would be pronounced like β€œprt-αΈ«rw.” 

A Voice Offering
Another example of the phrase “A Voice Offering” from a Middle Kingdom sarcophagus on display at the MET.

In terms of meaning, β€œπ“‰“β€ is classified as an ideogram (a single symbol that takes on the meaning of a full word) for the phrase β€œinvocation offering” or β€œvoice offering” and is a part of the standard offering formula that is seen on stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έπ“ͺ, false doors, sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ/coffins π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†±π“¦ and other funerary equipment π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­.Β 

You can read my full translation for the sarcophagus pictured above here. You can also watch the video of the translation here!

Why are bread 𓏑 and beer π“Š highlighted in such a popular inscription that persisted for thousands of years? Bread 𓏑 and beer π“Š were pretty much the staples of the ancient Egyptian diet and they needed enough food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ in the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 too! 

𓉓 Is definitely a great symbol to recognize because it is very common and part of a very common inscription. The pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 in this post are both from Middle Kingdom sarcophagi π“ŽŸπ“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“π“Š­π“ͺ at the MET. 

These are my personal photographs and original text. DO NOT repost. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs Video

Hieroglyphic Vocabulary – Week 4

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here is Week 4 of my Hieroglyphic Vocabulary Word of the Day stories from Instagram all compiled into a video! This week we focused on some of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 whose names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ you will commonly see in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! 

Here are the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ we learned this week: 

  1. Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓 (Hatshepsut Throne Name)
  2. Hatshepsut (Foremost of the Noble Women) π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ (Birth Name)
  3. Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣 (Thutmosis III Throne Name)
  4. Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– (Throne Name)
  5. Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ (Birth Name)
  6. Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  (Throne Name)
  7. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (Birth Name Variant)

Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! Learning how to read the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 in their cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ is a great place to start because not only do their names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ appear frequently, but it’s a great way to practice the meaning of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! 

You can also watch the video on TikTok!

@ancientegyptblog

Let’s read some Hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Here is Week 4 of my Hieroglyphic Word of the Day stories all compiled into a video! This week we focused on some of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 whose names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ you will commonly see in inscriptions π“Ÿπ“›π“₯! Here are the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ we learned this week: 1. Maatkare 𓇳𓁦𓂓 (Hatshepsut Throne Name) 2. Hatshepsut (Foremost of the Noble Women) π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ŽΉπ“π“„‚π“π“€Όπ“ͺ (Birth Name) 3. Menkhepperra 𓇳𓏠𓆣 (Thutmosis III Throne Name) 4. Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ– (Throne Name) 5. Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ (Birth Name) 6. Amenhotep III π“‡³π“§π“Ž  (Throne Name) 7. Akhenaten π“‡‹π“π“ˆ–π“‡³π“…œπ“π“ˆ– (Birth Name Variant) Learning any language – including hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ/Middle Egyptian doesn’t have to be difficult! Learning how to read the names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ of the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 in their cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ is a great place to start because not only do their names π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“¦ appear frequently, but it’s a great way to practice the meaning of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! This is my personal photographs/video and original text. DO NOT repost. #ancientegypt #egyptianhistory #egyptologist #letsreadsomehieroglyphs #hieroglyphs #hieroglyphics #languagelearning #egypt #pharaoh

♬ Star Wars (Epic Main Theme) – Samuel Kim

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Ramessu Mery Amun

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

Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to look at one of the many cartouches π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·π“¦ of Rameses II π“‡³π“„Šπ“§π“‡³π“‰π“ˆ–! This time, we are going to look at his birth name cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·, which is the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that he was given when he was born!Β 

Ramessu Mery Amun
The birth name cartouche of pharaoh Rameses II, Ramessu Mery Amun, on a column at the British museum

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œRamessu Mery Amun π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“β€ translates to β€œRa has fashioned him, beloved of Amun.” The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– could also be translated as β€œRa Bore Him, Beloved of Amun.” 

Let’s look at the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– more closely! The names of the gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ are written first due to honorific transposition!

𓁩 – Amun

𓁛 – Ra

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved

π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“ – Bore Him/Fashioned Him/Born Of

Let’s break down each of the symbols: 

The β€œfalcon with the sun disc 𓁛” symbol is both a determinative and ideogram for β€œRa.” 

The β€œAmun figure 𓁩” symbol is both a determinative and ideogram for β€œAmun.” 

The β€œcanal π“ˆ˜β€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sound β€œmr” and can also be β€œshorthand” for the word β€œmery” which means beloved. 

The β€œthree fox skins π“„Ÿβ€ symbol is a biliteral phonogram for the sounds β€œms.” 

The β€œfolded cloth 𓋴” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œs.”

The β€œsedge 𓇓” symbol can be a biliteral phonogram, ideogram (for sedge) and determinative (for king), but here it is representing the sound β€œsw.”

Ramessu Mery Amun
The birth name cartouche of pharaoh Rameses II, Ramessu Mery Amun, on a column at the British museum

Rameses II’s birth name cartouche has many variants and can also be written like this: π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ˜π“‡³π“Ίπ“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“. Certain symbols can be substituted for each other because π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ– and 𓁩 both mean Amun π“œ and 𓇳𓏺 both mean Ra. 

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

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