hieroglyphic

(noun)

A type of writing consisting of hieroglyphs, a character (largely pictorial) of the Ancient Egyptian writing system.

Related Terms

Examples of hieroglyphic in the following topics:

  • The Book of the Dead

    • For instance, Pyramid Texts were written in an unusual hieroglyphic style, were exclusive to those of royal privilege, and saw the afterlife as being in the sky.
    • The Book of the Dead, in contrast, was painted on expensive papyrus, written in cursive hieroglyph, and saw the afterlife as being part of the underworld.
    • Later in the Third Intermediate Period, the Book of the Dead started to appear in hieratic script as well as in the traditional hieroglyphics.
    • The hieroglyphs were in columns separated by black lines, and illustrations were put in frames above, below, or between the columns of text.
    • During the New Kingdom, the Book of the Dead was typically written in cursive hieroglyphs.

  • The Nile River

    • In the ancient Egyptian language, the Nile is called Ḥ'pī or Iteru, meaning "great river," represented by these hieroglyphs.

  • Art of the Bronze Age

    • According to archaeological evidence, cultures in Egypt (hieroglyphs), the Near East (cuneiform), and the Mediterranean, with the Mycenaean culture (Linear B), had viable writing systems.
    • During this time period, the pantheon of the gods was established; the illustrations and proportions of their human figures were developed; and Egyptian imagery, symbolism, and basic hieroglyphic writing was created.
    • The Narmer Palette, named after Egyptian King Narmer, is a significant Egyptian archeological find, dating from about the 3,100 BC, containing some of the earliest hieroglyphic inscriptions ever found.

  • Tutankhamun and Ramses II

    • His cartouches - hieroglyphs depicting his royal name - are prominently displayed on marker stones, statues, remains of palaces and temples, and even in buildings that he did not actually construct.
    • Tutankhamun's burial chamber contained beautiful works of art, text and hieroglyphics.

  • Sculpture of the Early Dynastic Period

    • The hieroglyphs to the left of each man's head respectively represent a walled city and the name of a defeated town.
    • In later hieroglyphics, the bull with the bowed head would symbolize force.

  • Stelae of the Middle Kingdom

    • Funerary stelae were usually inscribed with the name and title of the deceased, along with images or hieroglyphs.

  • Cultures of Mesoamerica

    • The Maya had the most advanced hieroglyphic writing in Mesoamerica and the most sophisticated calendrical system.

  • Art in the Early Dynastic Period

    • Media ranged from papyrus drawings to pictographs (hieroglyphics) and included funerary sculpture carved in relief and in the round from sandstone, quartz diorite, and granite.

  • Architecture of the Middle Kingdom

    • Hieroglyphic and pictorial carvings in brilliant colors were abundantly used to decorate Egyptian structures, and motifs such as the scarab, sacred beetle, solar disk, and vulture were common.

  • Art and Architecture in the Kingdom of Kush

    • The cuts that are on the walls are deeper and more strategic than Egyptian hieroglyphics.