Gardiner’s Sign List: A Magical Addendum
written by Venita Wessex
Looking for a quick and easy reference for the uses of magical hieroglyhics? Look no further. Authors Arkaeus and Olin Baldric have created an excellent field guide for curse-breakers, magianthropologists, magiarchaeologists and more.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
31
Reads
15,383
N. Sky, Earth, Water
Chapter 17
N3 (Variant of N2, “Sky with broken S40”)
n/a || Lightning
Misinterpreted, not a variant.
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Weather jinxes, many similar to present-day Meteolojinx.
N5 (Sun)
n/a || Sun, Re
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Can be used in spells that deal with either light or shadow, depending on what other glyphs are in opposition. There is also some basis for the theory that it was used in spells meant to guide the deceased to the Afterlife. However, often, it is just involved in invocations of the god Ra or Re.
Anecdotes/Comments: Interestingly, one of our co-workers, Julian Kacza, an alchemy buff has noted that this symbol is also used to reference the Sun in alchemical circles. Another thing of note that this sign is also the accepted sign for the Sun in astrology and is used in all Ministry identification for listing your Sun and Moon signs.
N10 (Variant of N9, “Moon”)
n/a || Moon Phases
Misinterpreted, not a variant. Indicates importance of lunar cycle.
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: One or more spells on the tomb, treasure, etc. is tied to the lunar cycle.
N14 (Star)
sb3, dw3 || Morning, Hour
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Often used in divinatory spells, though can also indicate that a spell is only activated/a wing is only accessible during a certain alignment of the stars.
N19 (Two strips of sand)
n/a || Horizon, Horakhty
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Bundimun present.
Anecdotes/Comments: By the time most of these tombs are uncovered, Bundimuns can have made a pretty serious infestation!
N25 (Mountain range)
n/a || Foreign Land, Hill Country
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Earthquake Charm.
N28 (Hill with sun rays)
ḫʿ || Appear
Magical Uses, Meanings, and Pairings: Can be a trigger for something to appear, such as a hidden doorway or tomb guardians. Also enjoyed common use in enchantments that manipulated physical appearance.
N33 (Grain of sand)
n/a || Gold
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Conceals gold from view or applies other referenced spells directly to gold.
N35a (Three water ripples)
mw || Water
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Flood will be magically triggered if used as a curse. However, has also been found to be used on papyrus to create rudimentary waterproofing.
N42 (Variant of N41, “Well with water”)
Misinterpreted, not a variant. Miscategorized.
n/a || Cauldron
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Potion involved in protection of treasure. Note: Does not state what phase the potion is in!
n/a || Lightning
Misinterpreted, not a variant.
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Weather jinxes, many similar to present-day Meteolojinx.
N5 (Sun)
n/a || Sun, Re
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Can be used in spells that deal with either light or shadow, depending on what other glyphs are in opposition. There is also some basis for the theory that it was used in spells meant to guide the deceased to the Afterlife. However, often, it is just involved in invocations of the god Ra or Re.
Anecdotes/Comments: Interestingly, one of our co-workers, Julian Kacza, an alchemy buff has noted that this symbol is also used to reference the Sun in alchemical circles. Another thing of note that this sign is also the accepted sign for the Sun in astrology and is used in all Ministry identification for listing your Sun and Moon signs.
N10 (Variant of N9, “Moon”)
n/a || Moon Phases
Misinterpreted, not a variant. Indicates importance of lunar cycle.
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: One or more spells on the tomb, treasure, etc. is tied to the lunar cycle.
N14 (Star)
sb3, dw3 || Morning, Hour
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Often used in divinatory spells, though can also indicate that a spell is only activated/a wing is only accessible during a certain alignment of the stars.
N19 (Two strips of sand)
n/a || Horizon, Horakhty
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Bundimun present.
Anecdotes/Comments: By the time most of these tombs are uncovered, Bundimuns can have made a pretty serious infestation!
N25 (Mountain range)
n/a || Foreign Land, Hill Country
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Earthquake Charm.
N28 (Hill with sun rays)
ḫʿ || Appear
Magical Uses, Meanings, and Pairings: Can be a trigger for something to appear, such as a hidden doorway or tomb guardians. Also enjoyed common use in enchantments that manipulated physical appearance.
N33 (Grain of sand)
n/a || Gold
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Conceals gold from view or applies other referenced spells directly to gold.
N35a (Three water ripples)
mw || Water
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Flood will be magically triggered if used as a curse. However, has also been found to be used on papyrus to create rudimentary waterproofing.
N42 (Variant of N41, “Well with water”)
Misinterpreted, not a variant. Miscategorized.
n/a || Cauldron
Magical Uses, Meanings, Pairings: Potion involved in protection of treasure. Note: Does not state what phase the potion is in!