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The ancient Egyptian Atef crown hieroglyph is one of a series of language hieroglyphs related to Ancient Egyptian crowns, staves, dress, and the like. Though it is used in the hieroglyphic language, the Atef crown has been more commonly found in iconography in tomb reliefs, wall scenes, statuary, or in representations of the Pharaoh or of gods.
Contents
The crown is composed of a double fringe of feathers attached to a white crown-shape, with horizontal ram's horns. The feathers are identified as ostrich from their curl at the upper ends, with a slight flare toward the base (compare this with falcon feathers in two-feather crowns, which are narrow and straight). The Atef crown is particularly associated with the cult of Osiris, who is always pictured wearing a white crown in Atef style, with ostrich feathers.
Usage
Many variants of the Atef crown are known, varying with the context in which they were used.
In text
The crown hieroglyph appears infrequently as an ideogram (as the Atef Crown). The determinative use in the name of the crown is 3tf-(atef).
In proper names
To the left is a signet ring commemorating Pharaoh Khufu of the 4th Dynasty of Egypt, with the Atef crown as a component at the top of his cartouche name.
This ring was produced in the 26th Dynasty or 27th Dynasty.