古埃及藝術之鑰:象形符號探索 Ⅰ

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Hieroglyphic Symbols:

Unveiling a Culture’s Soul

古埃及象形符號:探索文化核心的通道

古埃及象形文字與符號是獨特的書寫系統,深植文化與精神意涵,在古埃及文化中扮演著至關重要角色。古埃及象形文字帶有強烈的裝飾性的文字書寫方式, 它們既是圖形也是符號,不僅用於書寫和記錄,也被視為是「神的語言」,體現了這個古老文明的精神信仰和文化內涵。 古埃及象形文字由表音符號(表音文字)、圖畫符號(表意文字)和轉義符號(限定詞)組成。這些圖像與符號相結合,賦予文字獨特含義,有些甚至具備多重意義。它們是古埃及社會的象徵,僅限高級階層閱讀和書寫。象形文字被視為具有神聖力量的體現,常見於寺廟、墓室、雕像、石碑和棺材上的銘文。這些書寫記錄了古埃及人對生死及來世的理解,是對永恆的信仰的表達。

若欲探究古埃及藝術,則不可忽略對這些圖形符號的理解與認識。僅有如此,方可洞悉古埃及人的生活、文化,以及對於生命、死亡、來世和永恆的理念。深入探究這些符號,將有助於更全面地理解這個古老文明的本質和其文化遺產。

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Ancient Egyptian symbols and its meanings

符號與含義

古埃及的象形文字是象徵性的書寫系統,用於記錄歷史事件、宗教祭儀與日常生活。每個象形文字都代表著具體的事物或特定的概念。舉例來說,具備特定鳥類特徵的符號,代表不同鳥類;瓶形容器,表示油瓶或水瓶。另外,安卡(Ankh)代表生命的威儀,傑德柱(Djed Pillar)象徵穩定和持久,甲蟲則代表再生和重生,而荷魯斯之眼則象徵保護和健康。這些象形文字若依照特定的組合,也能組成複雜的文字,用於書寫神話故事、宗教儀式和法律法規。因此,這些符號不僅僅是記錄工具,更是古埃及人對於世界觀、生活原則以及對永恆的期許的表達。接下來,我們將介紹幾個對了解古埃及藝術文化重要的象形文字符號。

生命之符

生命之符(The Ankh),又稱安卡,代表生命、健康等相關意涵,具有重生的力量。安卡的造形,係頂部有一個水滴形環,下半部為T 形所構成之十字形。在古埃及神話中,諸神將安卡,作為生命之鑰,送給法老,作為維持生命和復活靈魂的力量。

Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Symbol, Ankh, Djed Pillar, Eye of Horus, Eye Of Ra, Was-sceptre,  Scarab beetle, Cartouche

Relief block from a building of Amenemhat I. (ca. 1981–1952 B.C.). Limestone, paint. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Relief block from a building of Amenemhat I. (ca. 1981–1952 B.C.). Limestone, paint. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

傑德柱

傑德柱(Djed Pillar),柱狀符號,代表穩定、永久。傑德柱的木柱形象,源自在神話中幫助冥神奧西里斯復生時的大樹幹,也因此作為復活與永生的象徵,也象徵著奧西里斯的脊柱。

Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Symbol, Ankh, Djed Pillar, Eye of Horus, Eye Of Ra, Was-sceptre,  Scarab beetle, Cartouche

Jewelry element in the form of a djed pillar. (ca. 1878–1805 B.C.). Gold, carnelian, turquoise, lapis lazuli. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Jewelry element in the form of a djed pillar. (ca. 1878–1805 B.C.). Gold, carnelian, turquoise, lapis lazuli. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Symbol, Ankh, Djed Pillar, Eye of Horus, Eye Of Ra, Was-sceptre,  Scarab beetle, Cartouche

Jewelry element in the form of a djed pillar. (ca. 1878–1805 B.C.). Gold, carnelian, turquoise, lapis lazuli. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Jewelry element in the form of a djed pillar. (ca. 1878–1805 B.C.). Gold, carnelian, turquoise, lapis lazuli. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

荷魯斯之眼

荷魯斯之眼(Eye of Horus)是一個獨特風格化式樣的眼睛符號,為古埃及神祇荷魯斯的眼睛又稱為「左韋賈特眼」。荷魯斯之眼,在神話中具有保護性的魔法力量,代表幸福、治癒和保護。

Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Symbol, Ankh, Djed Pillar, Eye of Horus, Eye Of Ra, Was-sceptre,  Scarab beetle, Cartouche

Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet. (ca. 305–30 B.C.). Gold. Image © The Art Institute of Chicago.
Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet. (ca. 305–30 B.C.). Gold. Image © The Art Institute of Chicago.

拉之眼

拉之眼(Eye Of Ra)又稱「右韋賈特眼」,與左韋賈特眼相配對。在古埃及神話中被視為是太陽神拉力量的延伸,攻擊敵人,抵禦邪惡,具有攻擊與保護力量的雙重象徵符號。

Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Symbol, Ankh, Djed Pillar, Eye of Horus, Eye Of Ra, Was-sceptre,  Scarab beetle, Cartouche

Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet. (ca. 305–30 B.C.). Faience. Image © The Art Institute of Chicago.
Eye of Horus (Wedjat) Amulet. (ca. 305–30 B.C.). Faience. Image © The Art Institute of Chicago.

沃斯權杖

沃斯權杖(Was-sceptre)為帶有風格化牛頭的權杖符號,象徵著權威、王權和神聖的統治權。在古埃及墓葬文化中,沃斯權杖也有保佑逝者靈魂,並增加逝者福祉的象徵意涵,因此也被視為是護身符。

Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Symbol, Ankh, Djed Pillar, Eye of Horus, Eye Of Ra, Was-sceptre,  Scarab beetle, Cartouche

Inlay, ankh, was scepters. (100 BC–100 AD). Glass. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Inlay, ankh, was scepters. (100 BC–100 AD). Glass. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

聖甲蟲

在古埃及文化中,聖甲蟲(The Scarab beetle)是相當重要的護身符之一,生者和死者都能佩戴。聖甲蟲具有死亡與重生的強大力量,能引導來世,同時也承載著保護的寓意。在古埃及神話中,白天以太陽圓盤,代表太陽神拉,晚上則以聖甲蟲代表拉。因此,聖甲蟲也帶有強烈的太陽寓意,如太陽般起落,被視為生命永恆循環。

Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Symbol, Ankh, Djed Pillar, Eye of Horus, Eye Of Ra, Was-sceptre,  Scarab beetle, Cartouche

Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs. ca. 1760–1670 B.C.). Glazed steatite. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs. ca. 1760–1670 B.C.). Glazed steatite. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Symbol, Ankh, Djed Pillar, Eye of Horus, Eye Of Ra, Was-sceptre,  Scarab beetle, Cartouche

Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs. ca. 1760–1670 B.C.). Glazed steatite. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Scarab Inscribed with Hieroglyphs. ca. 1760–1670 B.C.). Glazed steatite. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

王名圈

王名圈(cartouche)或譯做「象形繭」,造形為一個長橢圓形,其中一端最末具有與其成直角的線段。橢圓內部的圖形符號為一位法老的名字與稱號。

Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Symbol, Ankh, Djed Pillar, Eye of Horus, Eye Of Ra, Was-sceptre,  Scarab beetle, Cartouche

Relief of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II and the Goddess Hathor. (ca. 2010–2000 B.C.). Limestone, paint. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Relief of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II and the Goddess Hathor. (ca. 2010–2000 B.C.). Limestone, paint. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Symbol, Ankh, Djed Pillar, Eye of Horus, Eye Of Ra, Was-sceptre,  Scarab beetle, Cartouche

Funerary Cone of the Scribe Wadjmose. (ca. 1550–1295 B.C.). Pottery. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Funerary Cone of the Scribe Wadjmose. (ca. 1550–1295 B.C.). Pottery. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Ancient Egypt, Hieroglyphs, Symbol, Ankh, Djed Pillar, Eye of Horus, Eye Of Ra, Was-sceptre,  Scarab beetle, Cartouche

Funerary Cone of the Scribe Wadjmose. (ca. 1550–1295 B.C.). Pottery. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Funerary Cone of the Scribe Wadjmose. (ca. 1550–1295 B.C.). Pottery. Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Stay Tuned: More to Follow

符號作為入口

理解象形文字符號的含義,能讓我們更貼近古埃及藝術與文化的觀看方式。以七個古埃及重要的符號作為入口,看見它們如何建立宗教信仰與日常秩序。這些符號不只是裝飾或標記,而是古埃及生活與精神結構的縮影。後續文章,將沿著這條線索繼續深入古埃及藝術語言。

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