The Mystical Power of Hieroglyphs
Words, in my opinion, are a unique phenomenon of mankind. They were created by us. No other species has developed such a complex and intricate system of communication. I am not just referring to English, but to the multiple languages that span from bygone times. From Latin, Greek, and Akkadian to the modern languages such as Hindi, French, and Mandarin that we use today. Not to mention the variety of lesser-known languages and dialects that exist on the fringes of global society.
“The pen is mightier than the sword”
The quote and the picture above refer to the power that words have in controlling the emotions of people. This power can be seen since the beginning of their existence. Myths, tales, and legends such as the Illiad and the Odyssey down to the dystopian worlds of Percy Jackson and Harry Potter, all have had a huge impact on people. Stories can transport readers to other worlds and as an avid reader myself, I can confirm that books tend to inspire a multitude of emotions, and I cherish them dearly. Even the lyrics of poets and singers are infused with feelings and stories, and our intense love for them comes from our resonance with their words. Words have the power to change minds and create faith. Martin Luther’s “I Have a Dream…” and Jawaharlal Nehru’s “A Tryst with Destiny…” are great examples of speeches made by world leaders who determined the course of the world’s history.
All in all, it can be seen that languages are special and powerful in their way. And as an ardent admirer of Ancient Egypt, I was obviously drawn to its languages. Ancient Egypt had a variety of scripts that faded in and out of view as its empire grew- Hieroglyphs, Hieratic, Demotic, Coptic, Greek, and Latin were the languages written and spoken throughout its extensive history.
Hieroglyphs was the earliest known language used by the Egyptians with its first known attestation in the years just before 3100 BC. It was in use for a long time until it slowly waned and disappeared by the 5th century AD. With time, hieroglyphs enraptured the world by becoming a mysterious and encrypted language. Many scholars from different parts of the world began the intricate game of decoding it until Jean-Francois Champollian unlocked the code by deciphering the Rosetta stone in 1822.
There is a particular reason as to why I want to focus on the language of hieroglyphs. As I was doing my research into Ancient Egypt, I came across a statement made by Egyptologist Geraldine Pinch in her book, “Egyptian Myth: A Very Short Introduction”, which spiked my curiosity.
She remarked that ancient Egyptians believed hieroglyphs had the power to make a myth become a permanent part of reality. This thought is echoed further when one realizes that most of these inscriptions are found on the walls of palaces, temples, and tombs that still stand today. The power that hieroglyphs had over their society was immense as Pinch states that direct descriptions of dangerous and powerful myths were usually avoided. Thus, I began a deep and detailed investigation into what, I believed was an exciting concept. In studying the ancient world, I had never encountered a language with such a strong and magical hold over its people.
Hieroglyphs, by themselves, are already mysterious with their symbols of sound signs, pictograms and ideograms. But add in a mix of supernatural powers and BAM! Studying hieroglyphs just got ten times more exciting.
The term for hieroglyphs in the Ancient Egyptian language was “mdw ntrw” (pronounced as medu netjer). It translates as ‘divine words’ or ‘the word of gods’. According to legend, Thoth, the God of Knowledge, came down from the heavens and brought the language of the gods to the Egyptians to help them develop the practice of writing. This was to ensure that the people of Egypt could keep a record of their lives and become smarter individuals (Hieroglyphs were a gift from the gods, so of course they contained “magical” elements that were respected by the Egyptians!).
Furthermore, the Egyptians weren’t the only ones who believed in the power of hieroglyphs. Greeks such as Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus were in awe of them and believed they were sacred. The very word “hieroglyph” comes from two Greek words- “hiero” and “glyphein”. The first term means “sacred” and the second translates as “ to carve/carvings”.
The actual origin of hieroglyphs, on the other hand, is a bit unclear. Hieroglyphs were theorized to have been developed over a long time but were written on perishable items such as wood. Due to this, it is hard to pinpoint the actual beginnings of this language. Despite the sketchy nature of its origin, I believe this further adds a certain charm to the already mysterious nature of hieroglyphs.
Hieroglyphs had special and divine responsibilities attached to them. They were used for religious, funerary and royal purposes. These three elements held a sacred position in Egyptian society and their value was further emphasized with the use of hieroglyphs. Most of the religious literature of the period was written by priests and scribes, who were specially trained in this particular script. Works of this nature mainly included hymns and prayers that worshipped the different deities of the Egyptian mythos and others asked for help and favors. Individual members of society made prayers of private appeals to their gods and ancestors, begging for divine intervention in their day-to-day troubles.
Ancient Egypt was a society that believed in the afterlife and followed funerary rituals and practices to live a good and comfortable life after death. It was necessary to honor the dead and to ensure the protection of the soul in the underworld. The importance of the dead in this society should not be ignored. The ancestors were regarded as semi-divine entities and were seen as personal saviors to their descendants. They were raised to a similar status to that of the gods and had “powers” to help the future generation, as long as they were worshipped in return. Hence, the funerary practices of Ancient Egypt took special care of their dead. Of the funerary literature present, there are 3 main types:
1. Pyramid Texts-
It was one of the earliest religious and funerary texts, dating from the period of the Old Kingdom. They were carved in the walls and sarcophagus in the pyramids located at Saqqara. The texts were reserved for the Pharaohs of Egypt and could not be used by the general populace. They contained the practices of offerings, resurrection rituals, and protective spells for the safety of the Pharaoh’s soul and to help them ascend into heaven.
2. Coffin Texts-
These texts developed from the Pyramid Texts and were first used in the Middle Kingdom. These particular texts were inclusive of all individuals and did not personally cater to the Pharaoh. The work included about 1,200 new spells that were inscribed on the inside of the coffins. They spoke about the journey of the afterlife and bestowed personal protection to the soul and the remains of the body.
3. Book of the Dead-
The Book of the Dead evolved as a separate body of work from the Coffin Texts. The work makes its first appearance in the Second Intermediate Period. It had a hundred different spells and its primary purpose was to provide aid and protection to the deceased.
The use of hieroglyphs for royal purposes was important to establish the dominance of the Pharaoh. The king was seen as an individual who was chosen by the King of Gods- Horus, to rule and protect Egypt. The king was hailed as a descendant of Horus and hence, had a divine claim to the throne. To cement this ideology of kingship, the king had a set of titles that showcased his divine connection and power while commending his authority to rule over the land. For this purpose, hieroglyphs were used in creating the royal titulary. Each ruler of Ancient Egypt had 5 main titles:
- The Horus Name
- The Two Ladies’ Name
- The Golden Horus Name
- The Throne Name
- The Birth Name
Alongside these titles, many epithets were crafted that praised the sacred and powerful authority the Pharaoh possessed. Each of the above titles imbued the king with divine lineage and entrusted him with the task of keeping divinity and humanity in balance with one another. Due to the nature of these titles, the usage of hieroglyphs to craft them ensured that the king and his name were given the utmost reverence required for his status.
As seen throughout this article, hieroglyphs were a language that deeply influenced Ancient Egyptian society. They held a powerful presence in the minds of its people for about 3500 years. Even after its decline, it held the attention of the world as a complex language, even after its decipherment. Hieroglyphs, by nature, are a unique system of alphabets and symbols and were integral in forming the culture of Ancient Egypt. The story of hieroglyphs had a mystical beginning and to this day, continues to enthrall Egyptologists and history enthusiasts alike.
References:
Britannica Encylopedia, https://www.britannica.com/topic/hieroglyphic-writing/Discovery-of-the-Rosetta-Stone
Jeremy Norman, https://www.historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=1833
Penn Museum, https://www.penn.museum/sites/egypt/writing.shtml
Wim van den Dungen, http://www.sofiatopia.org/maat/sacred_texts.htm
World History, https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian_Hieroglyphs/
