A Vegetal Form of the djeser Hieroglyph in KV35

(Gardiner D 45)

Abstract

The most common forms of the djeser sign (Gardiner D 45) are those of a scepter or staff, either long and thin (mks) or short and thicker (nḥb.t). In the New Kingdom, vegetal forms of the Gardiner D45 sign are known, some of which have sometimes been identified with a head of lettuce. Among these plant forms, a djeser sign from the tomb of Amenhotep II (KV 35) stands out as it resembles a kind of branch. The vegetal appearance of the Djeser hieroglyph may already exist in the 4th Dynasty, in a more elongated form, in the tomb of Queen Meresankh III at Giza.