The oval name plate attached to a coffin in ancient Egypt, used specifically to enclose royal names, is called a cartouche.
The Ancient Egyptian Cartouche
A cartouche is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic name plate, distinctly shaped like an oval with a horizontal bar at its base. Within this oval, the name of a pharaoh or other royal figure would be meticulously inscribed in hieroglyphs. This unique enclosure was believed to protect the name it contained from evil influences, acting as a powerful symbol of identity and divine protection in the afterlife. While not a detachable "plate" in the modern sense, a cartouche was an integral part of the inscriptions found on sarcophagi, coffins, tomb walls, and other monuments, identifying the deceased pharaoh or royal individual.
Understanding the Cartouche: Symbolism and Structure
The design of the cartouche is deeply symbolic. The oval shape is thought to represent a loop of rope, symbolizing the king's dominion over everything encircled by the sun – thus, the entire world. The horizontal line at the base signifies the "ground" or the foundation upon which the name rests, further reinforcing its protective and authoritative function. This powerful symbol served as a crucial element in ancient Egyptian funerary practices and royal iconography.
Key Characteristics of a Cartouche
- Shape: Always an elongated oval with a straight line at one end, resembling a stretched loop of rope.
- Purpose: To enclose and protect the names of royalty, particularly the birth name and throne name of pharaohs.
- Content: Contains hieroglyphic spellings of royal names, ensuring their recognition and preservation through eternity.
- Presence: Found on a wide array of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including:
- Coffins and Sarcophagi: Crucial for identifying the royal occupant.
- Tomb Walls: Inscribed within the royal burial chambers.
- Temple Walls and Obelisks: Documenting the reign and achievements of pharaohs.
- Statuary and Papyrus: Marking ownership and authority.
Significance on Coffins and Beyond
On coffins and sarcophagi, the presence of a cartouche was paramount. It not only identified the royal individual interred within but also harnessed the protective power believed inherent in its shape, safeguarding the pharaoh's name and thus their identity and eternal journey. Every pharaoh possessed two primary names enclosed in cartouches: their birth name (Son of Ra) and their throne name (King of Upper and Lower Egypt). These names, protected by the cartouche, were vital for their spirit (ka and ba) to navigate the afterlife successfully.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Cartouche |
| Shape | Oval with a horizontal bar at the base |
| Purpose | Encloses and protects royal names (pharaohs, queens) |
| Content | Hieroglyphic inscription of a royal name |
| Location | Coffins, sarcophagi, temple walls, statues, papyri, and other monuments |
Examples and Historical Context
Countless ancient Egyptian artifacts display cartouches, preserving the names of pharaohs for millennia. Famous examples include the cartouches of Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Hatshepsut, which are frequently seen on their sarcophagi, statues, and temple inscriptions. The study of cartouches has been crucial for Egyptologists in identifying pharaohs, dating monuments, and understanding the succession of ancient Egyptian dynasties. The decipherment of hieroglyphs, particularly through the Rosetta Stone, heavily relied on understanding the role of cartouches in marking royal names.
