Acquaint yourself with ancient Egypt’s ‘Ja’ sign

CAIRO – 22 September 2022: This hieroglyphic sign consists of two wooden pieces: the upper one resembles a club, while the lower is a hollow base in which the club rests vertically.

A person could then rotate the upper part in circles to generate fire for cooking, for warmth, and numerous other activities.

Photo via Egypt's Min. of Tourism & Antiquities

The sign can be pronounced in several ways, such as “ja” meaning "to cross" and “wedja” which means “to be whole”. 

It was most commonly used in the formula “ankh, wedja, seneb” that followed the kings’ names wishing them "life, prosperity, health".