Tag: gods and goddesses

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Hieroglyphic Flash Cards

Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛

Lets’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³ we are going to be reading the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ β€œKhepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛.” 

Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛, god π“ŠΉ of the rising sun 𓇳𓏺 and he symbolizes the β€œlife cycle” – birth π“„Ÿ, death 𓅓𓏏𓏱, and then rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 is usually depicted as a winged scarab with a sun disc above him. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 would carry the sun through the sky as it rose in the east! 

Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛

Here are the two most common variants of Khepri’s name:

𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛

𓆣𓂋𓀭

Let’s break down the symbols! 

The β€œscarab beetle 𓆣” is a phonogram sign. It is a triliteral sign, which means it represents three consonants. The β€œπ“†£β€ is associated with the sound β€œαΈ«pr” which could have been pronounced like β€œkheper.” The β€œ scarab beetle 𓆣” is also both an ideogram and determinative for the word β€œscarab beetle 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣.” 

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€œreed 𓇋” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œΔ±Ν—,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œreed 𓇋𓏺.” 

The β€œgod with sun disc 𓁛” symbol in this case is acting as a determinative to show that Khepri’s name is that of a god’s associated with the sun. It can also be an ideogram for β€œRa.”

The β€œseated god 𓀭” symbol is also a determinative but for β€œGod” or β€œKing.” It is used in place of the common β€œπ“€€β€œ symbol. 

The name β€œ Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛” is pronounced pretty much the same as β€œscarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣” even though they are written differently! 

Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 is usually depicted in art like the picture in this post, but I have not seen his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– written too often in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! However, his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is still a good one to know since he is such a common deity to see depicted! 

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

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Apis Bull

These are bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾 of the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒. The worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 of the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 can actually be traced back to as early as the First Dynasty! 

The Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 was associated with fertility and rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± and was mostly worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 in Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– near the Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± Temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰. People would travel from various locations to the temple π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰ just to worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒, and the mother 𓅐𓏏 of the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒. 

While Hathor 𓉑 is probably the most famous of the cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 was also very widely worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 and represented eternity π“Ž›π“‡³π“Ž› and the harmonious balance of the whole universe. The Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 was usually associated with the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 which is probably why a lot of pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏦 were referred to with the title of the β€œstrong bull 𓂑𓃒.” This was to represent the strength 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 and vitality of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻. 

Usually a live bull π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ was used to be worshipped, and the bull π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ needed to have special markings on it such as a triangle shape on its forehead, or patches that represented wings π“‚§π“Œ³π“π“†ƒπ“¦ on its body. When the bull π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ that was being worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 died, it was embalmed π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž and buried elaborately. A new bull π“‚‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ–π“ƒ’ would then take its place. 

One of the easiest ways to recognize the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 in statuary is by looking for the sun disc 𓇳 on its head, and the elaborate cloth that is decorating the back of its body. In this picture it’s hard to see the triangle on its forehead that usually represented the Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒, but it is there! 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Painted Wooden Stela

This painted wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ is an absolutely beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 piece from the Third Intermediate Period (22nd Dynasty, c. 825–712 B.C.E.) and one of my favorites to see at the MET. 

Painted Wooden Stela at the MET

This stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ depicts the god π“ŠΉ Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 leading the deceased woman, Tjanetiset, to the deity π“ŠΉ Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€. This imagery 𓏏𓅱𓏏 is very common on stelae π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ from this time period. Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ is the combination of the deities Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ and he is the god π“ŠΉ of the morning sun π“…ƒπ“ˆŒπ“π“­π“€­. Images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦  and depictions of Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ in funerary art became more prominent during the Late Period. 

I love this piece so much because it looks like Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 and the woman Tjanetiset are holding hands and he is leading her to Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€! What’s very interesting is what is in Tjanetiset’s other hand! If you look closely, she is holding a heart in her hand 𓇋𓃀𓄣 and it looks like she is holding it in an offering position to Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€. 

In ancient Egyptian religion/culture, the heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 was not only the center of a person’s life π“‹Ή, but also thinking, memory, and moral values. The heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 was not removed during the mummification π“‹΄π“‚§π“π“…±π“Ž process, because the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 person would need it on their journey through the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Book of the Dead

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ from the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺!

Book of the Dead
Book of the Dead on display at the British Museum!

There is so much going on in this little image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 from the British Museum!

Book of the Dead
The hieroglyphs for “Hail Osiris π“‰”π“‡‹π“‡‹π“€π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉ” are highlighted in this image

The first line has the inscription β€œπ“‰”π“‡‹π“‡‹π“€π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉ,” which would be translated as β€œHail 𓉔𓇋𓇋𓀁 Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“ŠΉ.”

I love the word β€œπ“‰”π“‡‹π“‡‹π“€,” because it has so many different meanings depending on the context! Phonetically, it would most likely be pronounced as β€œhey 𓉔𓇋𓇋𓀁” which is one of the ways it can be translated! β€œπ“‰”π“‡‹π“‡‹π“€β€ can mean hey/hi/hello in some contexts, it can also mean β€œhail” like translated above, but it’s also sometimes translated as β€œcheer, rejoice, shout, or oh!.” If there is a different determinative after the first two symbols β€œπ“‰”π“‡‹π“‡‹,” it will also change the meaning! 

I’ve mentioned this before but I love the β€œcaptions” that the ancient Egyptians would put next to gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ and goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ in the art so you know which deity you are looking at! In the bottom image you can see Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 who are three prominent funerary deities with the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 of the deceased. 

Book of the Dead
The hieroglyphs for important deities are highlighted in this image.

Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡ and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 are also in the top image on the barge with the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 of the deceased. Much like how they would appear on coffins, Isis π“Š¨π“π“†‡ is always at the feet of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾 while Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 is at the head of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾. 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Uncommon Variant of Anubis

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Today π“‡π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‡³, at an uncommon variant of Anubis 𓇋𓋔π“Šͺπ“…±π“€­! As you may know, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is my favorite word to spot (no matter the variant) in inscriptions!

This particular β€˜spelling’ of Anubis’ name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is a not-as- common variant of the common way to write his name which is β€œπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣.” However, even though some of the symbols are different, his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– would still be pronounced the same! The proper way to say Anubis in Middle/New/Late Egyptian is β€œΔ±Ν—npw” (pronounced like β€œInpu” or β€œAnpu”).

Anubis 𓇋𓋔π“Šͺπ“…±π“€­ is my favorite Egyptian god π“ŠΉ, so I love spotting the different variants of his name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! His name turns up a lot because Anubis 𓇋𓋔π“Šͺπ“…±π“€­ is one of the main funerary gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ, and a large part of Egyptian artifacts that are in museums happen to be funerary objects π“ˆŽπ“‚‹π“‹΄π“π“π“Š­! 

Uncommon Variant of Anubis
Can you spot the uncommon variant of Anubis “𓇋𓋔π“Šͺπ“…±π“€­” in the inscription above?

Let’s take a closer look at the symbols! 

The β€œreed 𓇋” is a uniliteral phonogram for β€œΔ±Ν—,” however it can also function as an ideogram for the word β€œreed 𓇋𓏺.” 

The β€œred crown 𓋔” is also a uniliteral phonogram. The β€œπ“‹”β€ is associated with the sound of β€œn,” just like the β€œripple of water π“ˆ–.” This symbol can also act as a determinative for β€œred crown.” 

The β€œstool π“Šͺ” symbol is a uniliteral phonogram for the sound β€œp.” 

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is one of the hieroglyphs that appears the most in inscriptions! It is a uniliteral phonogram that is representative of the sound w/u, and it is also an ideogram for the word β€œchick 𓅱𓏺.”

The β€œseated god 𓀭” is a determinative symbol and isn’t pronounced! It acts as β€œpunctuation” at the end of the name of a male god! 

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– β€œAnubis” is actually the Greek version of his name, not the Middle Egyptian name π“‚‹π“ˆ–, so that is why the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ don’t match up with how we are so used to saying Anubis/Inpu/Anpu’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–! 

Here are some common variants of Anubis’ name: 

𓇋𓋔π“Šͺπ“…±π“€­ (the one pictured)

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓃣

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓁒 

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ

π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺπ“…±

Which variant do you prefer? My favorite is π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣! 

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

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Blog

Trilobites – Fossil Friday!

Trilobites have been my favorite fossils for as long as I can remember and they are probably my favorite because they look like scarabs 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣π“ͺ! Everything always comes back to ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– for me! While trilobites and the dung beetle (the real animal that scarabs 𓆣𓆣𓆣 were inspired by) look similar to each other, they do not have many similarities besides that – they were never even on Earth at the same time! 

Trilobites
A plate of trilobites at the AMNH!

Trilobites first evolved during the Cambrian Period around 521 million years ago (mya) . They are classified as an arthropod which means that they have an exoskeleton, and that exoskeleton is what allowed them to fossilize so well. Trilobites lived at the bottom of seas and crawled around scavenging for food! There are over 20,000 different species of trilobites that have been discovered, and they were a very abundant species until they went extinct around 252 mya at the end of the Permian Period – right before the evolution of the dinosaurs. 

William the Hippo with the trilobites at the AMNH.

While trilobites have no religious significance in ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, the scarab 𓆣 does! The scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣 is the personification is the god π“ŠΉ Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛. Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 was considered to be the god π“ŠΉ of the morning/rising sun 𓇳𓏺, and was usually depicted as a scarab 𓐍π“Šͺ𓂋𓂋𓆣, or as a human body with a scarab 𓆣 for a head 𓁢𓏺!

The god π“ŠΉ Khepri 𓆣𓂋𓇋𓁛 symbolizes the β€œlife cycle” – birth π“„Ÿ, death 𓅓𓏏𓏱, and then rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. This cycle was essential to Egyptian religious beliefs, as Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ spent their lives preparing for death 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and entering the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐.

The trilobite display at the AMNH.

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Amun-Ra 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 an inscription that appears on aΒ  β€œDoorjamb from a Temple of Rameses II” which is on display at the MET. Since this is from the reign π“‹Ύπ“ˆŽπ“ of pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 Rameses II π“©π“›π“ˆ˜π“„Ÿπ“‹΄π“‡“, we can easily date the inscription to the 19th Dynasty! This piece is made of red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ which is both a highly durable and very beautiful 𓄀𓆑𓂋 rock π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™. The durability of the red granite π“…“π“Œ³π“π“ŽΆ has allowed the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ to stay so well preserved for so long!

Amun-Ra

Here is a breakdown of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ:

π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ί – Amun-Ra

π“ŽŸπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώ – Lord of the Thrones

π“ˆ˜ – Beloved

All together the inscription reads β€œBeloved of Amun-Ra, Lord of the Thrones.” 

So why is the inscription written/translated the way it is? β€œAmun-Ra π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“‡³π“Ίβ€ is written first but said last due to what is called β€œhonorific transposition.” Out of respect for the god π“ŠΉ, their name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is written first but said last in the sentence! In English (and other languages like Italian) we have something similar to this – we say β€œten dollars” but write it as β€œdollars ten” – $10! 

β€œLord of the Thrones π“ŽŸπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“ŽΌπ“‡Ώπ“‡Ώβ€ is an epithet which is kind of like a title that is written after the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ so it both written and pronounced after the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ. 

This type of inscription commonly appears after the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“· which is the oval enclosure that distinguished the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 from other hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ in inscriptions. In my picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 you can even see the bottom part of the cartouche π“ π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“·!

When you first start learning how to read hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ it seems like a puzzle but it definitely gets so much easier with practice!Β 

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

This section of a papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is from the β€œFunerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht” which is dated to the Ramesside Period (New Kingdom c. 1320–1200 B.C.E.). Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 was the tax master π“ˆ™π“π“΄π“‚‘ (I’m sure he was popular) and this high position is what allowed him to have such a gorgeous funerary papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛!

This entire papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛 is composed of what has been called Chapter 168 of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺, otherwise known as the “Chapter of Offerings.” However, most of the time this text is found alone and not with other parts of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺 (as is the case with this papyrus) and is considered now to be its own text and not necessarily a part of the Book of the Dead 𓉐𓂋𓏏𓂻𓅓𓉔𓂋𓏲𓇳𓏺𓍼𓏺. 

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

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht
A section of the “Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht”

The two sections of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ point in two different directions; the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ above the Falcon headed god Osiris-Wennefer π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹ point to the right while the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ above Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 point to the left. We are going to start with the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ above Osiris-Wennefer π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹.Β 

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Here is the text all together: π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“„π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ

Here are the individual phrases broken down:

π“†“π“Œƒπ“‡‹π“ˆ– – Words Spoken By 

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹ – Osiris Wennefer

𓏄 – Foremost

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Here is the translation: β€œWords Spoken By Osiris-Wennefer, Foremost of the West.” This is a super common introduction for a god in a funerary text. It also lets you know who is depicted in the images!Β 

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Before we read the next section of hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, let’s take a look at some of the art! On his shoulder, Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 is holding the goddess Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ while he is holding up his other hand in adoration of the god Osiris-Wennefer π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“ˆ–π“ƒΉπ“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹. Maat π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ is the goddess of truth π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„ and justice π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„π“œ and we know it’s her because of the feather 𓆄 that’s on her head!Β 

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! We are going to be reading the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that are above Sethnakht 𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽. These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ point to the left so we will start reading them from the left!Β 

Funerary Papyrus of the Steward Sethnakht

Here is the text all together: π“π“‡Όπ“€’π“ˆ–π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“„π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠπ“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­π“‰»π“‚π“›π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“π“΄π“‚‘π“„“π“‰π“€π“ƒ©π“π“‚‘π“€½

Here are the individual phrases broken down:

𓏏𓇼𓀒 – Praise/Worship (should actually be written as β€œπ“‡Όπ“π“€’β€)

π“ˆ– – of

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – Osiris

𓏄 – Foremost

π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ – West

π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­ – The Osiris

𓉻𓂝𓏛 – Great

π“ˆ– – the/of

π“ˆ™π“π“΄π“‚‘ – Tax Master 

𓄓𓉐𓏀 – Overseer

𓃩𓏏𓂑𓀽 – Sethnakht

Here is the translation: β€œPraise for Osiris, Foremost of the West, the Osiris, the Great Tax Master, the Overseer Sethnakht.” 

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

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Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Geb’s Laughter and Earthquakes

Yesterday 𓋴𓆑𓇳 was quite the interesting day in NY as we experienced an earthquake π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύ in the morning and an aftershock in the evening! We don’t have earthquakes π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύπ“¦ in NY very often so it was quite the experience for many of us! 

The ancient Egyptians believed that Geb’s 𓅬𓃀𓀭 laughter is what caused earthquakes π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύπ“¦ to happen! Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 is the god π“ŠΉ of the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface, which the ancient Egyptians called the Upper Earth. Anything that occurred on the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface was considered to be Geb’s 𓅬𓃀𓀭 domain! 

The deity Tatanen 𓁯 is often associated with things that come from the interior of the Earth 𓇾𓇾 (Lower Earth) such as minerals, rocks π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“ˆ™π“¦, and plants 𓆾𓆰𓆰𓆰! While today we know that earthquakes π“Œπ“…©π“‚‹π“‡Ύπ“¦ come from the interior of the Earth, the ancient Egyptians didn’t know that but it’s still so cool they made this distinction!

The god Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 can be depicted in art in a couple of different ways!Β 

Geb's
Wereshnefer’s sarcophagus at the MET showing Geb and Nut

On Wereshnefer’s sarcophagus is one depiction: Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­, the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of the sky/cosmos π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯, is seen as a woman arched over the rounded Earth 𓇾𓇾 and is supported by Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭, the god π“ŠΉ of the atmosphere.Β  At Nut’s π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ feet is Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 who is represented by feet with two arms holding the rounded Earth 𓇾𓇾!Β 

Geb's
Wereshnefer’s sarcophagus at the MET showing Geb and Nut labeled with their names in heiroglyphs

On the painted depiction, Geb 𓅬𓃀𓀭 is seen lying underneath the rest of the figures such as Nut π“Œπ“π“‡―π“€­ and Shu 𓆄𓅱𓀭, the god π“ŠΉ of the atmosphere.Β 

Geb's
A painted sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum depicting Nut, Shu, Geb and Khnum
Geb's
A painted sarcophagus at the Brooklyn Museum depicting Nut, Shu, Geb and Khnum with their names labeled in hieroglyphs

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

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Categories
Egyptian Artifacts

Head of Hathor at the Louvre

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ sculpture of the head of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Hathor 𓉑 is one of my favorite pieces that I saw in the Louvre because the intricate details are just striking. This piece is dated to the Ptolemaic Period, and used to be part of a column.Β 

Head of Hathor
Head of Hathor at the Louvre

Hathor 𓉑 is one of the most prominent goddesses π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ of the Egyptian pantheon. Along with Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯, she is regarded as the β€œGod’s mother π“…π“π“ŠΉβ€ of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻, but is also the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of love π“ˆ˜π“, joy 𓄫𓄣𓏏, music π“‡‹π“Ž›π“‡Œ, and dance π“‚‹π“…±π“‚»- basically the fun things in life! 

Hathor 𓉑 is usually associated with cows 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒π“ͺ and can take the form of a cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 in many forms of Egyptian art. One detail that I love about this piece is that Hathor 𓉑 is shown with her cow ears! It is very common to see Hathor 𓉑 with her cow 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓃒 ears in art! 

Another detail that I love is how her wig 𓄿𓂋𓏏𓁸 is decorated with rosettes π“‡¬π“ˆ–π“ƒ€! The carvings are in raised relief, which only makes them stand out more. The work of the ancient Egyptian artists is truly incredible and never fails to amaze me!

Head of Hathor
Me with the Head of Hathor at the Louvre

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

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