- Shen ring
A shen ring is a circle with a line at a
tangent to it, which was used in hieroglyphics as a stylised loop of a rope. In particular, the circle representedeternity , as circles did in many ancient cultures (e.g. thewedding ring ). In numerical use, a circle representedinfinity , "all," or "everything".The stretched "shen ring", the cartouche
The symbol could be stretched to contain other objects, which were then understood as being made eternal by the shen ring. Indeed, when it contained a name, the symbol became the
cartouche . The word "shen" itself means, in Egyptian, "encircle".hen ring uses in
iconography The Shen ring is the " 'shenu'. "
*The Goddess
Heget , (the 'Frog'), is often seated on a "shenu."
*For Eternity, the "renpit", papyrus stalk is usually based on top of a "Shen ring." See the Egyptian god Huh. (Senusret I has a famous "Lintel relief" showing this.)
*The "Shen ring" is often attached to various types of staffs, the staff of authority, or power, symbolizing the "Eternal" authority of that power.
*The GoddessIsis , and the GoddessNekhbet are often shown kneeling, with their hands resting upon a "shenu."
*The Hawk (Horus ), and the Vulture (GoddessMut ) have the "shenu" in their talons, wings outstretched, over the scene portrayed. The "Horus with Outstretched Wings", "shenu's" in its talons, is an example from theLouvre of a Pectoral-Pin, possibly for royalty.ee also
*
Huh (god)
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