Egyptian symbols provide insight into an ancient culture and are found on artifacts. The Eye of Horus has multiple meanings, while other symbols are logograms or metonymics. The ankh represents eternal life. Learning about these symbols can deepen understanding of Egyptian history and culture.
Egyptian symbols are a fascinating window into a unique ancient culture. Found on the many artifacts recovered from ancient Egyptian empires, these symbols form a descriptive language and image of one of the oldest human civilizations. Being able to identify common Egyptian symbols is a must for any Egypt enthusiast and can add great depth to your body of knowledge about history and culture.
One of the most viewed Egyptian symbols is the Eye of Horus, also called the Eye of Ra. This symbol, which resembles a human eye, can mean many things depending on the context used. It is symbolic for the all-seeing eye of the gods and can also symbolize rebirth. The Eye of Ra was also extremely important in ancient Egyptian mathematics, as it was used to describe or indicate different fractions.
Many Egyptian symbols are also called logograms or pictograms. These markings are meant to look like the thing they are describing. The sun symbol is a circle above a straight line, while the mountain symbol looks like two jagged peaks next to each other.
Other common Egyptian symbols have a meaning only somewhat related to the actual character. These characters are called metonymics and are basically used as a figure of speech or a metaphor in modern speech. For example, a symbol for the word God looks like a flag. This may seem absurd until you know that the flag is meant to represent the flags that were flown over religious temples of the time.
A frequently seen symbol looks like an owl or bird drawn in profile, head facing forward. This interesting glyph has a variety of meanings and has often been used as a preposition, such as from, with, or from. Because of this symbol’s versatility, its specific meaning is often derived from the context of the surrounding words.
Another extremely common Egyptian symbol is the ankh. This glyph looks like a cross with an egg-shaped top and is symbolic of eternal life. Some Egyptian artifacts depict various gods holding the ankh to a person’s mouth or giving it to him, believed to be symbols of a life that continues beyond death. The ankh is often used in jewelry and replica of Egyptian art.
For those wishing to learn more about the translation and interpretation of Egyptian symbols, there is a wealth of literature and online information on the subject. Also, check with local museums to see if they have an Egyptology department or can recommend experts willing to help you learn. Understanding the history and society of an ancient culture is often enriched by learning the language and important symbols used during its existence. By studying the meaning of Egyptian hieroglyphics and artistic symbols, you may be able to shed a little more light on one of the largest and most complex civilizations to ever walk the planet.
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