Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs – Part 2/3
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Want more articles like this? Note from the Editor:
This article was written for the SDC by psychologist and member @Jan A. Jan A. works part-time, taking on clients under the Medicare Mental Health Care Plans. She works with people of all ages, from children to seniors! She is a member of the Macquarie University Egyptology Society and majored in history with a Bachelor of Arts degree at Melbourne University. Subsequently, Jan A. did an adult education course through Sydney University, learning to read basic ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs.
Missed Part 1? Catch up here.
Hieroglyphs are called the gods’ words, 𓊹𓌃𓏪.
In order to understand the story that hieroglyphs are telling us, we first need to know which way to read them. They can be read from left to right, from right to left, or even around in a square. In columns, they are read from top to bottom. To determine the orientation, we look at the figures and animals and see which way they are facing. Then, we read them approaching them from their front side, which is known as 'kissing the hieroglyphs’.
Below are some examples. Which way should we read them?
Example 1. Image Credit: Pixabay
In Example 1, we see people and creatures facing to the left. In this case, we read from left to right.
Example 2. Image Credit: Pixabay
In Example 2, we read top to bottom. Looking at the figures, we see they are facing to the right. In this case, we read from right to left.
Example 3. Image Credit: Pixabay
In Example 3, the creatures are facing to the right, meaning we read from right to left.
Let’s look at some hieroglyphs to identify what they are saying. We will start with those associated with the sky:
𓇯 sky, heaven, above
𓇰 sky with broken 𓌀 sceptre: night
𓇲 sky with rain: rain, dew
𓇼 star: morning, hour
𓇽 encircled star: netherworld
𓏸 sun, ra (also called re)
𓇶 sun with rays: sunshine, shine, rise
𓇷 or 𓇸: moon
𓇹 crescent moon
𓇺 moon (used as a determinative or definition of the word)
𓇻 half-month festival
𓆣 scarab beetle: change, manifestation, appearance
The scarab beetle was an important symbol representing the sun god, Ra, who rolls the sun across the sky just as the scarab beetle rolls its ball of dung across the ground.
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