What is Egyptian Cartouche? | | 'Cartouche' is a French word meaning 'gun cartridge'. When Napoleon's soldiers were in Egypt, they nicknamed this shape 'cartouche' because it reminded them of the shape of their gun cartridges. | | | | | | | | How does it been used? | Egyptian Cartouch has been used to enclose the name of kings and royals, it is an oval ring that is a hieroglyph representation of a length of rope folded and tied at one end. It symbolized everything that the sun encircled and is thus an indication of the king's rule of the cosmos.
The cartouche was also a protective symbol for the king. In the Eighteenth Dynasty, royal sarcophagi were constructed in the shape of the cartouche.
The cartouche was also used in many decorative ways. was found in King Tutankhamun's tomb. The symbols on the lid are in fact his name. Finger rings were also made in the shape of the cartouche.
| | | | | | | | Where can it be found? | | Cartouches were found on many palace walls. Inside the ring would be the name of cities and subject peoples the king dominated during his reign. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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