From the 11th and 12th dynasties the kings of Egypt had five titular names, four given names upon ascending the throne and the birth name.
The Horus Name. Before the 4th dynasty, the king
was generally known by his Horus name. With few exceptions, it was written
vertically in a rectangle. This rectangle seems to represent the earliest brick
buildings or palaces. Horus the Falcon is on top of a Serekh. The word Serekh
means 'that which makes known'. In the mythical story of Osiris, Horus defeated
Seth, which signifies the conquest of a strong power in the south (Seth), by a
stronger power from the north (Horus). The victory of Horus is commemorated by
the placing of his image above the Serekh.
The Two Ladies or
Nebti title. This name is represented by the cobra goddess Wadjet of the city of
Buto in lower Egypt (the north) and the vulture goddess Nekhbet from El-Kab in
upper Egypt. This title became a standard part of the king's name in the 12th
dynasty. However, as early as the first dynasty, King Den seems to have the
first king to use the Nebti title.
Golden Horus. This symbol expresses
divinity both in the color of gold and that gold never decays, thereby
representing eternal life. This title became standard during the middle kingdom
(11th and 12th dynasties).
The Sedge and Bee. This may represent upper
and lower Egypt or an unknown form of duality. The Sedge is a plant of upper
Egypt. This name is also known as the Prenomen. This titulary was first used by
Den in the first dynasty. Eventually, the prenomen was to become the dominant
name used by the pharaohs.
Son of Ra. These Hieroglyphs precede the
birth name of the Pharaoh and denotes a direct lineage from the sun god Ra. This
name is also referred to as the Nomen. It was first used during the 4th dynasty.
Other Hieroglyphs commonly found with kings
names are: A determinative of a seated king or god.
These hieroglyphs often follows the kings names
and signifies, Life, Strength, Health. These hieroglyphs have evolved into
meaning 'nswt' or 'king'.