Reading Egyptian Art

An introduction to the symbolic language of hieroglyphs which includes a directory of the 100 used most often in Egyptian painting and sculpture. This book offers a comprehensive explanation of the symbols, their origins, identification and uses.

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A multi-purpose reference work, providing the key to the hidden meanings in Egyptian art: an encyclopaedia of the major signs and symbols, a visual compendium of artistic motifs, a sourcebook of Egyptian religious beliefs and ideas.

The hieroglyphs are thematically organized and include:

seated man • seated god • woman nursing child • wedjat eye • ear • breast • bull • cow • cat • lion • foreleg of ox • heart • falcon • vulture • ibis • wing • feather • crocodile • frog • scarab beetle • bee • tree • palm branch • lotus • sky • sun • star • djed column • fetish of Abydos • gold • ankh • fan • bow • knife • cartouche • Isis knot • board game • sistrum

A full reference section is also provided, with a complete list of the hieroglyphs, a glossary and a guide to further reading.