Cracking the Code: The Fascinating World of Egyptian Hieroglyphs

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Greetings, fellow history enthusiasts! Your amateur blogger is speaking and today we're going to dive into the fascinating world of Egyptian hieroglyphs.

Fragment of a wall with hieroglyphs from the tomb of Seti I (reign c.1294 or 1290 - 1279 BC) Photo by The British Museum on Wikipedia

Now, let's get down to business. Hieroglyphs are a system of writing that was used by the ancient Egyptians. The word "hieroglyph" comes from the Greek words "hieros," meaning sacred, and "glyphein," meaning to carve.

Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash

The Egyptians used hieroglyphs to write on a variety of surfaces, including papyrus, stone, and pottery. The symbols were often carved or painted onto these surfaces and used to record important information such as the names of pharaohs, religious texts, and even medical remedies.

Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash

One of the fascinating things about hieroglyphs is that they were not just a form of writing, but also a form of art. The symbols themselves were often highly stylized and decorative, and many of the hieroglyphs represented animals or other objects in a way that was both realistic and aesthetically pleasing.

Comparative evolution from pictograms to abstract shapes, in cuneiform, Egyptian and Chinese characters. Maspero, G. (Gaston), 1846-1916 - Collection of works related to Egyptian and Assyrian philology and archaeology Publication date 1870.

There is no direct evidence of ancient Egyptians using phrases like "Good morning," "Good afternoon," or "Good evening" as formal greetings in hieroglyphs. The ancient Egyptian language had various ways of greeting someone, depending on the context and the relationship between the speakers.

Extract from the Tale of the Two Brothers. Sir Ernest Alfred Thompson Wallis Budge (27 July 1857 – 23 November 1934) - Egyptian Language pp.38-39 Published in 1889.

One common greeting in ancient Egyptian was "ankh udja seneb," which roughly translates to "life, prosperity, and health." This greeting expressed the wish for good health and well-being for the person being addressed. It was a common greeting used between friends, family members, and even strangers.

Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash

Another common greeting was "em hotep," which meant "in peace." This greeting expressed the wish for peacefulness and tranquility for the person being addressed. It was a more formal greeting and was often used in official contexts, such as when addressing a pharaoh or a high-ranking official.

The Artist's scaled drawing of hieroglyphs means "life, stability, and dominion." The grid lines allowed the artist to draw the hieroglyphs at whatever scale was needed. ca. 1479–1458 B.C.

In conclusion, Egyptian hieroglyphs were a fascinating system of writing and art that captivated people for centuries. From their stylized symbols to their use in recording important information, hieroglyphs are a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the ancient Egyptians. So, the next time you see a hieroglyph, remember that it's not just a symbol, but a window into a fascinating culture and history.

Photo by AXP Photography on Unsplash

Oh, by the way, Just wanted to remind you that in addition to my history blog, I also have another blog dedicated to the amazing stories and facts from aviation. It's called aviationisamazing.blogspot.com, and it's packed with interesting facts from the past and nowadays. If you're a fan of learning about aviation in a fun and engaging way, then be sure to check it out! Who knows, you might just learn something new, or at least have a good laugh. Let me know in the comments if you're interested in hearing more!


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