The hieroglyphic signs are then oriented in the same direction as the figure they accompany. The aesthetic look of the text formed an important criteria for the placement of the signs with respect to each other. To this end, they divided the text lines in squares, in which the signs were arranged. Ideograms Ideograms are signs that depict the object that is drawn. They are direct examples of an object or an action.
Some signs have a symbolic value, e.g. a scepter to denote power.
The hieroglyphs above are clear examples of ideograms. They are however not suited to communicate abstract concepts like son , love or large . Phonograms Phonograms are signs that indicate a sound, without any further relation to the object that is depicted. The word for son e.g. sounds like the word for duck . As such, phonograms are signs that have no ideographic value, but that are merely used to depict a set of consonants.