Quadrat (hieroglyph block)

A quadrat block (or quadrate block) is a virtual rectangle or square in Egyptian hieroglyphic text.

Ankhnesneferibre's coffin lid. The glyphs read into the facing of the hieroglyphs, as column 3, 2, then 1. Column 1 ends at the bottom with a hieroglyph block of "people", i.e. "man, woman, plural" (3 vertical strokes).[1]
A1 B1
Z1 ` Z1 ` Z1

The glyphs (hieroglyphs) can be variable in number within the virtual block, though they are often proportioned according to variable standardized rules of scribal methods.[2]

The definition for the block in Illustrated Hieroglyphics Handbook by Schumann-Antelme and Rossini, is: "A 'quadrate' is a virtual square, which although not drawn, guides the hand of the scribe. Hieroglyphs must be aesthetically positioned within the quadrate and their size must be proportioned accordingly. They form groups that are pleasing to the eye and based on the laws of balance."[3]

Rosetta Stone closeup
Section of lines 9 through 13, Rosetta Stone.

An example of five lines of text from the Rosetta Stone, (lines 9, 10, 11, 12, 13), shows a width of about six to seven virtual blocks. Line 12, (fourth line) is illustrative of the variable size, in this case the widths, of the 'virtual quadrate blocks'.

The time of the festivals are stated as: "...day 1 up to day 5...", (three blocks)[4]
N5
Z1		 (day 1) (tall narrowblock)
nfrt
D21		 (up to) (square block)
O4 N5
Z1 Z1 Z1 Z1 Z1		 (day 5) (square block)
The three blocks:
N5
Z1		 nfrt
D21		 O4 N5
Z1 Z1 Z1 Z1 Z1		 (day 1uptoday5)
In running text blocks, prepositions can sometimes start or end a block, but may be part of the next block's translation. Running texts will sometimes actually end in the very middle of the next square. This can be accomplished because some of the prepositions come in vertical and horizontal forms:
O34s(horizontal verteSSes)
,
Mm(horizontal verteMs)
,
Nn(vert horizontaleNs)

(See: N-red crown (n hieroglyph), N-water ripple (n hieroglyph))

Amun-Ra's block
Most commonly in hieroglyphs, Amun is referenced without Amun-Ra. The two blocks for Amun and Amun-Ra are:
M17Y5
N35
, (or
M17Y5

N35
), and
iY5
N35
N5 Z1

. Note how the vertical hieroglyph for reed-(the i for 'Amun') is actually part of the block, though at its side.

  • Register 1, (line 1, right to left), blocks 2 and 3:Hotep, "Amun-Ra"(htp-t-p, i-mn-n-Ra-(stroke)
    Register 1, (line 1, right to left), blocks 2 and 3:
    Hotep, "Amun-Ra"
    (htp-t-p, i-mn-n-Ra-(stroke)
  • A Ptolemy, cartouche with various quadrate blocks.
    A Ptolemy, cartouche with various quadrate blocks.
  • Finely executed hieroglyphs in sunken relief. Line 3, 2nd block in (from left), the H-Ra-H block
    Finely executed hieroglyphs in sunken relief. Line 3, 2nd block in (from left), the H-Ra-H block [5]

See also

References
  1. 3-strokes (hieroglyph);
  2. Schumann-Antelme and Rossini, Illustrated Hieroglyphics Handbook, subsection: General Considerations on Hieroglyphic Writing, p. 13-14.
  3. Schumann-Antelme and Rossini, p. 13.
  4. Budge, p. 160-167.
  5. Eternity (hieroglyphs)
  • Budge. The Rosetta Stone, E.A.Wallace Budge, (Dover Publications), c 1929, Dover edition(unabridged), 1989. (softcover, ISBN 0-486-26163-8)
  • Schumann-Antelme, and Rossini, 1998. Illustrated Hieroglyphics Handbook, Ruth Schumann-Antelme, and Stéphane Rossini. c 1998, English trans. 2002, Sterling Publishing Co. (Index, Summary lists (tables), selected uniliterals, biliterals, and triliterals.) (softcover, ISBN 1-4027-0025-3)
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