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The legacy of Egyptian art, from colossal statues to finely wrought jewellery and minuscule charms, can appear deceptively simple. Without knowledge of the hieroglyphic images incorporated in the art, much remains obscure. Here is an introduction to the symbolic language of hieroglyphs: a directory of the one hundred signs used most often in Egyptian painting and sculpture - from "seated man" and "lion" to "vulture" and "ankh". This guide offers a comprehensive explanation of the symbols, their origins, identification and uses. The hieroglyphs are arranged thematically, fully cross-referenced, and illustrated by newly-commissioned drawings and photographs. The result is a companion for all those interested in the mysteries of ancient Egyptian art.
219 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 18, 2023
This book was recommended by a lecturer in a class I recently took. I’m fascinated by Egyptian art, so thought a book called Reading Egyptian Art would be helpful. I somehow missed the full title of the book when I ordered it, so was surprised to discover that the title also includes the words “A Hieroglyphic Guide to Ancient Egyptian Painting and Sculpture,� which is critical.
This isn’t your ordinary book about Egyptian art. The book is organized by hieroglyphs. The author has selected a number of key hieroglyphs and devotes two pages to each one. One page for each hieroglyph is describes the meaning of the hieroglyph (such as the hieroglyphs for statue or child or rejoice) and on the oppose page will be one or more art works that incorporate the hieroglyph or demonstrate it.
I don’t think this book would suit if you’re looking for an introduction to Egyptian art. There were some entire statues or other works of art the author pointed to as embodying a hieroglyph. But for the most part, he pointed out tiny details in works of art that represent hieroglyphs (e.g., feather of Maat on a plinth). Overall, while the book may help you identify some aspects of various art works, a lot would be missing. On the other hand, if you already know something about Egyptian art, this may prove useful.
I’ve taken a few Egyptian art classes and have read a number of books on the subject. This book definitely made me think, and I do feel I learned a fair amount from it; it’s a useful supplement. That being said, I believe it will work for me more as a reference book than as a straight read.
This isn’t your ordinary book about Egyptian art. The book is organized by hieroglyphs. The author has selected a number of key hieroglyphs and devotes two pages to each one. One page for each hieroglyph is describes the meaning of the hieroglyph (such as the hieroglyphs for statue or child or rejoice) and on the oppose page will be one or more art works that incorporate the hieroglyph or demonstrate it.
I don’t think this book would suit if you’re looking for an introduction to Egyptian art. There were some entire statues or other works of art the author pointed to as embodying a hieroglyph. But for the most part, he pointed out tiny details in works of art that represent hieroglyphs (e.g., feather of Maat on a plinth). Overall, while the book may help you identify some aspects of various art works, a lot would be missing. On the other hand, if you already know something about Egyptian art, this may prove useful.
I’ve taken a few Egyptian art classes and have read a number of books on the subject. This book definitely made me think, and I do feel I learned a fair amount from it; it’s a useful supplement. That being said, I believe it will work for me more as a reference book than as a straight read.
October 31, 2012
The idea is cool but don't think you'll be able to read Egyptian art once you've finished the book. What you'll be able to do is point to certain figures (e.g., a vulture, a sitting man with hands raised) and make remarks like "this means happiness", "that is a sign of wisdom" which is silly because how can we know that our sense of "happiness" or "wisdom" maps onto theirs? All those Kas, Bas, Sheuts which are all translated as "soul" into English are still mysteries, and a page for each is not enough to comprehend what they meant in their context. Half of the book are pictures which is very good. But it is funny that every "concept" got a page of pictures and exactly one page of text as if no matter whatever subject you take, there is that much you need to know about it.
October 21, 2023
There are many guides to the complex system of hieroglyphic writing, but this is the only one I'm aware of that shows how hieroglyphic iconography shaped Egyptian art. Hieroglyphs were used as decorative motifs, and their forms were woven—often obviously, sometimes subtly—into innumerable scenes in representative art. This book is a sampler of the hieroglyphic forms that appear most often in art, with its organization based on Alan Gardiner's system for classifying hieroglyphic signs by the objects they represent. It only scratches the surface of the topic of symbolism, but it's useful as far as it goes. (Plus, I have fond memories of poring over this book years ago, when it was one of the few sources available to satisfy my nascent Egyptomania.)
The human poses, listed at the beginning of the catalogue of signs, are a case in point as to why a guide to this subject is needed. The meaning of the image of a nursing woman, for example, isn't hard to grasp. In contrast, the pose shown on the front cover looks like it might be some kind of Egyptian tai chi but represents an ancient Egyptian ritual act of beating the chest in praise of a god. Animal-shaped signs are easy to recognize, but some come with unexpected connotations, such as the use of the lapwing as a symbol of subjugated people. More abstract-looking signs, such as the renpet, nefer, and sema-tawy signs, are very widespread in art and carry meanings that no one unfamiliar with hieroglyphs would guess at. Even the familiar ankh sign, the only hieroglyph that has really been adopted into the modern vocabulary of symbols, can stand for water or air in addition to life.
As pointed out by Richard Parkinson in , it is possible to overestimate how hieroglyph-like Egyptian art was, as if the art were rigidly based on the writing system. In every culture, including ours, art is profoundly shaped by symbolism; it's just that our system of symbolism is so familiar to us that it's often practically subconscious. Nevertheless, this book is a good introduction to the system of symbols that the Egyptians used. For the principles of that system, see Wilkinson's companion volume, . Wider-ranging guides to distinct symbols include and .
The human poses, listed at the beginning of the catalogue of signs, are a case in point as to why a guide to this subject is needed. The meaning of the image of a nursing woman, for example, isn't hard to grasp. In contrast, the pose shown on the front cover looks like it might be some kind of Egyptian tai chi but represents an ancient Egyptian ritual act of beating the chest in praise of a god. Animal-shaped signs are easy to recognize, but some come with unexpected connotations, such as the use of the lapwing as a symbol of subjugated people. More abstract-looking signs, such as the renpet, nefer, and sema-tawy signs, are very widespread in art and carry meanings that no one unfamiliar with hieroglyphs would guess at. Even the familiar ankh sign, the only hieroglyph that has really been adopted into the modern vocabulary of symbols, can stand for water or air in addition to life.
As pointed out by Richard Parkinson in , it is possible to overestimate how hieroglyph-like Egyptian art was, as if the art were rigidly based on the writing system. In every culture, including ours, art is profoundly shaped by symbolism; it's just that our system of symbolism is so familiar to us that it's often practically subconscious. Nevertheless, this book is a good introduction to the system of symbols that the Egyptians used. For the principles of that system, see Wilkinson's companion volume, . Wider-ranging guides to distinct symbols include and .
February 19, 2019
Well done!
Others have outlined how this book is set up and used. I can't say it any better. I can, however, add my piece:
Good specific information. Very useful if you want to wow your friends (that you are dragging through, say, the Brooklyn Museum). Pausing at a statue, eyeing a set of Hieroglyphs and saying - AH! That symbol is the sun coming up over a hill - KHA is the pronunciation: it means 'shining' or 'glorious'. And there's 'em', and the symbol for Thebes, known as 'Waset' in ancient times. Put them together: Kha-em-Waset. That's a statue of Ramesses II's fourth son, Khaemwaset!
Your friend suggests that you move on while you grin.
It's also useful for research and for writing based on that research, as I've found.
Others have outlined how this book is set up and used. I can't say it any better. I can, however, add my piece:
Good specific information. Very useful if you want to wow your friends (that you are dragging through, say, the Brooklyn Museum). Pausing at a statue, eyeing a set of Hieroglyphs and saying - AH! That symbol is the sun coming up over a hill - KHA is the pronunciation: it means 'shining' or 'glorious'. And there's 'em', and the symbol for Thebes, known as 'Waset' in ancient times. Put them together: Kha-em-Waset. That's a statue of Ramesses II's fourth son, Khaemwaset!
Your friend suggests that you move on while you grin.
It's also useful for research and for writing based on that research, as I've found.
June 21, 2018
A great book that explains everything about the egipcians and is simply amazing.
July 21, 2007
Fantastic introductory book for anyone interested in Hieroglypics or Egyptology in general. This is the first book which I have read which conveyed the idea that unlike in our modern culture, the Ancient Egyptians were to a certain extent able to merge painting, sculpture, language and architecture. Because the language was inherently "pictographic" the deeper symbology of ancient paintings, sculpture and even buildings can be "read" and determined
April 6, 2008
I'm almost done with this book, and it's very enjoyable and helping me to understand more of the ancient Egyptian symbolism and art representations. Someday I will go to Egypt and wander one of the tombs or temples and be able to read and understand those glyphs, and it will be AWESOME! :) This book is really interesting and is a good supplement to some of the glyph translating experience I've done in the past.
August 10, 2014
Very interesting descriptive book on the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Each page is related to one symbol and the meaning coupled with the left side page with 3-5 examples from actual wall paintings, pottery or other items. Taken together, gives one a chance to understand what is being said. A chance.
November 26, 2007
Egypt's writing straddles a fine line between what we would call writing and visual art. The two in Egypt often overlap, or were given secondary and tertiary meanings. This books does a great job, with a wealth of visual reference along the way, of explaining them.
November 8, 2007
While it does include a complete list of hieroglyphic signs, and glossary, there is quite a bit of omission (a true dictionary would be much larger).
However, it serves a good purpose for anyone wishing to learn the basics and prepare themselves for more advance reading.
However, it serves a good purpose for anyone wishing to learn the basics and prepare themselves for more advance reading.
February 4, 2015
An interesting idea, the author lists the most important hieroglyphs used in Egyptian art and shows how the paintings and sculptures follow the forms of the hieroglyphs, and the symbolism they get from them.
January 23, 2016
Solidly grounded in primary sources, a superlative introduction to not merely a language, but a way to thinking. You will not be able to look at any number of standard Egyptian images in the same way again, and nor should you!
February 26, 2007
Lovely book. I'm looking for tattoos.
May 13, 2011
من أفضل الكتب التى تتعلم منها اللغة الهيروغليفية ومعانى ومفهوم ورمزية أشكالها ورسومها مدعمة بالصور
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November 8, 2013Good as a general guide. It takes more to read the glyphs.
January 19, 2019
الكتاب يحوي اهم 100 رمز من رموز اللغة الهيروغليفية مع شرح لدلالات كل رمز, هو جيد كشرح لرموز بصرية لكن لا تعتمد عليه كمرجع لدراسة الهيروغليفية.
June 18, 2010
This is a great reference. I would definitely take it with me to an any Egyptian exhibit.
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January 8, 2019للللل
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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