Egyptian Hieroglyphs

Egyptian hieroglyphs were a form of writing used by the ancient Egyptians. I spent some time the other week trying to translate some hieroglyphs on some new beads I purchased. One thing I learned is that hieroglyphs can be read left to right, right to left and top to bottom. So........ how do you know which way round to read them to start with. The answer lies with the way the actual pictures are facing. For example. If a bird is facing left the you read them from left to right. Vice versa if the bird or character is facing right.

Egyptian hieroglyphs are not that straight forward however to read. They also have phonetic and logogram glyphs and a few more besides too, which can make translation difficult if you haven't studied hieroglyphs before or are trying to translate some thing.

The real breakthrough of translation came when the Rosetta stone was discovered by Napolean's troops in 1799. In the early 19th century scholars studied the inscriptions on the stone and were able to make some head way. However even top scholars confessed. "It is a complex system, writing figurative, symbolic, and phonetic all at once, in the same text, the same phrase, I would almost say in the same word" Jean Francois Champollian

Throughout ancient Egypt many fine examples can be seen of Egyptian hierogylphs. Scribes must have spent many many hours. Strangely enough there are no hieroglyphs in the pyramids although they can be seen in the temples nearby.

Below is a simple translation picture of some of the most used Egyptian hieroglyphs should you wish to begin any translations of your own.

Turquoise. December's Birthstone.

Turquoise was one of the most popular gemstones used in ancient Egypt. It is said to bestow wealth and happiness on anyone that receives it. The healing properties of turquoise are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to the throat, lungs, asthma, teeth, depression. and infection. Turquoise is also used to enhance creativity, serenity and spiritual bonding. Turquoise is also the birthstone of those born in December. The poem goes.

"If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue
Success will bless whatever you do."

Here is some of my collection of turquoise jewellery. I hope you like it.


Turquoise and black Egyptian bracelet

Egyptian Turquoise and bronze bracelet

Turquoise and copper Egyptian bracelet.

Egyptian Turquoise and silver bracelet

Egyptian Turquoise Necklace

Ancient Egyptian Jewellery

Ancient Egyptian jewellery is awe inspiring and is probably the inspiration behind many a handmade artist. This week I went along to the World Museum in Liverpool where I saw an amazing collection of Egyptian artifacts including a collection of ancient Egyptian jewellery. It was fanastic to actually view all of these artifacts and also be so close to an ancient Egyptian real Mummy.

Ancient Egyptian jewellery inspired me to create my own Egyptian jewellery and the amazing culture that these people adopted.
Below are many many pictures I took on the day including ancient Egyptian Jewellery.

Enjoy.

Ancient Egyptian Jewellery

Ancient Egyptian Jewellery
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Ancient Egyptian Jewellery
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Ancient Egyptian Jewellery
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Egyptian Mummy

Egyptian Book of The Dead

Ancient Egyptian Canopic Jars

Ancient Egyptian Shabtis

Statue of Sekhmet

Hemp Jewelry

Hemp jewelry is made from the hemp plant also known as the cannabis plant. It is one hundred percent organic making it eco friendly and a natural resource.

Hemp's first recorded use was in ancient Egypt where it was used to make rope and cord. Seshat was the ancient Egyptian god of rope, wisdom and knowledge. She was often portrayed as measuring with a length of rope which was hemp. Seshat was also seen wearing a hemp leaf as a headdress.

Hemp jewelry and in particular bracelets were popular with hippies and music festivals, worn as friendship bracelets made of braids and macrame knotting techniques.

I have always liked hemp and hemp jewelry and using natural and organic products it also relates to the pagan side on ancient Egyptology.

Hemp jewelry and hemp bracelets can have many names such as macrame bracelets, friendship bracelets, beach bracelets or natural organic bracelets even eco friendly bracelets. What ever you decide to call them I think the possibilities for using hemp in jewelry designs is just endless and can't wait to create more and more pieces.

Here are just four bracelets using traditional Egyptian colours and macrame knotting techniques. Using naturally resourced materials makes hemp jewelry affordable to everyone too.
Keep checking my website as I intend to expand on this range with some hemp earrings and hemp necklaces too and even more hemp bracelets.

Full details can be found on my website here.
Hemp Jewelry

Turquoise and white hemp bracelet

White and Gold hemp bracelet

Gold crystal spiral hemp bracelet.

Turquoise completly natural hemp bracelet.

Pandora Beads and their Ancient Egyptian history

Pandora beads or Pandora type beads have actually been around since ancient Egyptian times. Recently however they have been marketed very well by certain high street jewellers and they have turned them into a high street fashion accessory on the jewellery market.

A lot of people don't realise that they are not a new idea but a very old and ancient idea. Taking full advantage of the latest fashion trends and clever marketing some retailers now ask very high prices for thier designs too.

Ancient Egyptians first used these beads as good luck beads then taking things a step further introduced them for various other magical and ritual purposes. One of the main reasons for wearing these Pandora type beads was to establish an identity in the afterlife.

I use some of these beads in my own handmade jewellery in both sterling silver and silver plated.

Here are just a few selected items from my website that I have currently for sale.

Nefertiti Necklace in Sterling Silver

Egyptian Cobra and rose arrow head necklace.(Silver plate).

Pink Howlite Asp Bracelet. (Silver plate)

Grey Howlite Isis Bracelet (silver plate)

Here is a link to my page where you can view all of my Pandora style Egyptian jewellery.

Pandora Egyptian style Jewellery

Crystal Healing

Crystal healing dates back many years, in fact crystal healing was employed by the ancient Egyptians over three thousand years ago and they placed a high value on their crystals and gemstones for medicinal purposes. Today crystal healing is termed alternative medicine.

I use many crystals and gemstones in my jewellery today just as the ancient Egyptians did too. However many people don't realise that some of the crystals and gemstones may also play an addition health role too.

Lapis Lazuli

This has got to be one of the most beautiful and well known gemstones that were used in ancient Egypt. So popular in fact that the ancient Egyptian actually imported this gemstone.

Lapis lazuli is used in crystal healing today for spirtual development and helps strengthen the mind and body. It is also used to support the nervous system and aid pain relief

Lapis Bracelets.


Howlite

Howlite is the gemstone for artists. It aids concentration and tact, observations and patience. It also helps with stress by relieving anger and helps to calm and comfort. Howlite can also be used to aid sleep.

Howlite bracelets


Amethyst

Amethyst is a beautiful gemstone and is probably my favourite as it is my own birthstone.

Amethyst is commonly associcated with peace and is another gemstone often used for calming and protecting the mind. It is also said and used to help prevent nightmares. It is also used to help with toothache and relieving pain in the bones. Amethyst is used in crystal healing in many many ways including helping with headaches, cravings, blood sugar problems and blood in general.

Amethyst Bracelets.

Hematite


Hematite is used in crystal healing in many ways but is mainly used to support the correct funtion of the large and smaller organs of the body. Other benefits of crystal healing with hematite include developing the psychic mind, increase intuition and realtionships.

Hematite Necklace

This is just a very very small selection of crystals and gemstones that are used in crystal healing and are the same gemstones I use like the ancient Egyptians did many many years ago in thier own jewellery. I will shortly be running a feature on jasper and jasper jewellery so be sure to return soon.

Ancient Egyptian Jewellery

Today I thought it would be interesting to read a little about Ancient Egyptian Jewellery and would like to share with you the article below written by David Laurent Guffroy.

Ancient Egyptian Jewelry Design


Egyptian Jewelry is one of the most beautiful examples of ancient jewelry. Excavations have revealed treasures containing beautiful examples of ancient Egyptian jewelry, with intricate designs and a sense for style, as early as 3500-5000 years ago. Not only is ancient Egyptian jewelry beautiful in design, but also uses gorgeous coloring and precious materials. Precious gemstones and gold metal were common in these designs, gold was their metal of choice.

Many jewelry designs depicted images of birds, scarabs, or beetles, which have a deep religious symbolism for Egyptians. Gemstones were carved with beetles images. Beetles symbolized rebirth. The eye is another symbol represented in Egyptian ancient jewelry. Males and females wore jewelry. It had social status significance - wealth - but also a protection meaning, as jewelry was also worn to be protected from evil. A beauty and adornment approach was also related to wearing jewelry in ancient Egypt, but the main reason was religious and for protection. Wealthy Egyptians and Pharaohs were entombed with their jewelry. It was worn in death as well. It was supposed to serve them in the afterlife, as it was believed.

Much of these treasures have been lost due to thieves who robbed the tombs of wealthy Egyptians and of pharaohs. One of the remaining treasures that were untouched was found in the tomb of Tutankhamen. It offers a live example of wealth on those days. Egyptians also used color in the jewelry design to give different meanings to their creations. Green was a symbol of fertility. Many gemstones were brought from other lands, although most of it was from Egypt.

Egyptians also used polychrome glass to work on their designs when it was too difficult to work with gemstones. Gemstones found in Egyptian ancient jewelry include carnelian, malachite, jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and quartz. The color blue represented by the lapis lazuli meant royalty. Lapis lazuli was brought from Afghanistan. There were many jewelry pieces such as bracelets, earrings, pendants, elaborated headpieces, brooches, clasps, and many other carefully designed pieces. Chest pieces were called pectorals; they were of intricate design and meant to accompany the death to another life. The designs represented their gods.

Other designs include the ankh symbol, also known as the Egyptian key of life, or Egyptian cross, which looks like a cross with a loop on top. It symbolizes life, and was a common symbol. Turquoise was very popular and it signified life and joy as well. Jasper was also commonly used and symbolized the red of Isis, one of their deities, and symbolized fire. Turquoise, unlike Jasper, was easy to work with for their carvings. Malachite necklaces were worn to protect the wearer from epidemics. Carnelian symbolized the blood of life. Other gemstones included amazonite, emerald, and amethyst. The metal by choice was gold and it represented the skin of gods.

David Laurent Guffroy is an e-commerce and domaining expert. He is currently the founder and managing director of body piercings, an online piercing and jewelry store.

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