Hieroglyphs - C
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Cartouche
shenu
The name "cartouche" is relatively modern, coined by soldiers of Napoleon. The Egyptian name means "to encircle" and the earliest forms with the king's name written in them were circular. The symbol is one of protection. shenu - Cartouche
Cat
miu
This is the domestic cat, long-eared, tailed and shown squatting on its haunches with its tail curled around its leg. Often the cat is shown holding a knife in its paw as it destroys the serpent that threatens the cosmic tree, a symbol of the rising sun. Cat-headed deities appear in representations of the Book of That Which Is in the Underworld where they destroy malevolent beings in a similar manner. miu - Cat
Child
mes
There are seven words in the Egyptian language for "child" showing different stages of development from infant to early adulthood. All share a common sign: that of a nude child sitting with index finger held to the mouth. In addition the icon often depicted the distinctive "side-lock" of youth on the head. In the Birth Room, Luxor Temple, the gods Horus, Hekau and Hapi are shown presenting the young Amenhotep III to the great god Amun-Re. mes - Child
Clenched Hand
khefa
The hand was used not only to represent concepts relating to taking and holding but also as a symbol of action, creation or latent creative power. The clenched hand, often with its forearm, was used decoratively to hold the suspended elements on whisks or flails. khefa - Clenched Hand
Clothing
menkhet
The sign seems to represent either a horizontal strip of linen cloth with two strands of fringe or two vertical strips of folded cloth on a stand. The Egyptians excelled in weaving and produced many varieties of fine linen that was used for garments and for the bandage-like wrappings used in mummification. menkhet - Clothing
Cobra
iaret
The species Naja haje with its characteristic dilated hood was associated from early times with the sun, the Kingdom of Lower Egypt, the person of the king and a number of deities. A gilded wooden cobra inscribed with the name netcher-ankh or living god, was found in the tomb of Tutankhamun and is representative of this creature's associations with the underworld. iaret - Cobra
Crocodile
meseh
In Ancient Egypt Crocodilus niloticus was a dual personality creature. As a dangerous animal the reptile was viewed as a symbol of cosmic disorder. But when the crocodile emerged from the waters like the sun god himself, facing east to dry as if paying homage to the god it was treated as a deity and worshipped in many localities. meseh - Crocodile

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