These four figurines represent the Sons of Horus, and form the lids of canopic jars, in which they would guard your internal organs for all eternity. Each figurine has an inscription down the center. Each inscription begins with the same words, Dd md.w in wsir , "words₂ spoken₁ by₃ Osiris₄," or "Thus says Osiris...". The rest of the inscriptions vary (actually, the rest of the inscription is the name of each figurine; except that falcon-headed Qebehsenuf and jackal-headed Duamutef have accidentally swapped their jar bottoms!)

On the right, I've copied the first part of each inscription (but reversed the direction!). You can put your mouse over the glyphs to see how they fit together to form the inscription (Click here if the picture doesn't change!). Be aware that Dd md.w  "words₂ spoken₁" is abbreviated on the inscription. The glyphs really only spell out D md. Note also that the scribe has played around a bit with the glyphs for "Osiris"; their order is more like ir-s , but such a well-known name was in little danger of being mis-understood.

© 1999, Terrence Donnelly