Egyptian Cartouche Printing - Lesson Plan Volume 17

Grades 6-8.

A cartouche (pronounced kartoosh) is a protective emblem that identified the gods and pharaohs of ancient Egypt. The symbols in an individual's cartouche were hieroglyphic symbols chosen to represent character traits that the individual was believed to possess or hoped to attain. Each hieroglyphic symbol illustrated a positive, empowering, or protective characteristic. Students may choose to carve their name or initials on their personalized cartouche. However, there are many other significant symbols that can be chosen to embellish one's cartouche.