Seshat's emblem

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Seshat's emblem
later (Classical form)
in hieroglyphs
R20
Two variations
(classical)
in hieroglyphs
R20
 
 
R21

The ancient Egyptian Seshat emblem hieroglyph is one of the oldest hieroglyphs from Ancient Egypt. An archaic form of it was used on the Narmer Palette of Pharaoh Narmer. It represents the goddess Seshat in later classical Ancient Egypt, as the goddess is identified with it, surmounted on her head.


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[edit] Seshat emblem

Hatshepsut and Seshat, from the Red Chapel.
Hatshepsut and Seshat, from the Red Chapel.
"sesheta", mysteries
and "Goddess Sesheta"
in hieroglyphs
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X1 U30		 M40 Z3
 
 
R20 B1

In classical Ancient Egypt, the Seshat Emblem was a long stem with a 7-petal flower on top and surmounted by a pair of horns; the archaic form had six petals, (as a vertical, with two crossed lines, as a 'star'), and surmounted by two enclosing sickle-shaped signs, two falcon-feathers on top.

The Seshat emblem in egyptian is the name of Seshat, (sš3t), and is "seshat", or "sesheta". As the origin of her name is related to the male scribe, and she represents the female version, it is thought her origins also involve the stars, and ancient Egyptian astronomy. Of note: the word "sesheta" means, hidden things, mysteries, secrets, so the implication is that the Pharaoh is being given access to the power of those mysteries through Goddess Seshat.

[edit] Iconographic example, Goddess Seshat

One famous example of the iconographic use of the Seshat's emblem is from Pharaoh, and Queen Hatshepsut's Red Chapel.

Close-up use on Narmer Palette

Obverse-(front), Pharaoh Narmer's palette

Ushabti box with hieroglyphs of Seshat's emblem

[edit] See also

[edit] References

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