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Kheper, the scarab beetle, means "to
become" or "to evolve." It is an amulet in life and in death, symbolizing
rebirth. |
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The shen sign, a ring of rope, symbolizes all that
the sun encircles. As amulets, knots and ropes provide protection. |
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The ankh, possibly a sandal strap or an elaborate bow,
means "life" and "to live." It is held by deities who frequently offer
it to the king's face. |
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"Given life" is represented by a conical loaf of
bread, which means "to give" or "given," and by the ankh. |
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"Eternally" or "forever" ( djet)
is represented by three glyphs: a cobra (for the sound dj), a round loaf of bread (the
sign for t), and a flat tract of land (the determinative). |
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This combination of symbols means "given life
forever." Note how hieroglyphic signs are always arranged to fill a square or
rectangle in a balanced way. |
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The djed sign, meaning "stability," may
represent a stylized tree with the branches cut back or a bundle of reeds. The sign was
closely associated with Osiris. |
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The sa sign, meaning "protection,"
represents a herdsman's rolled-up shelter. |
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The was scepter, meaning "power," is a
forked staff with an animal's head. |
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The wedjat eye, "the sound or restored
one," used for protection against evil, is a human eye with the plumage marking of a
Horus falcon's cheek. |
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The ka, the life force of an individual, is
represented by two extended arms seen from above. |
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Tyet, the knot of the goddess Isis, resembling the
knot in a sash of a robe, is a symbol of protection. |
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Hetep, meaning "offering" or, as a verb,
"to be content": a conical loaf of bread on a reed mat. |
|
These glyphs mean "an offering that the king
gives." The king is represented by the sedge plant. The word for "king" is
always put at the beginning |
