Cretan Hieroglyphics（クレタ聖刻文字）

　It will be six years this summer since I began research on ancient scripts from the eastern Mediterranean. My initial studies in Linear A and the Phaistos Disk from Crete led me to explore ancient scripts from Cyprus, and furthermore, Indus script. Fortunately, this is making rapid progress, and now I am applying the knowledge acquired from Indus script to make inroads in Cretan Hieroglyphics.

　What prompted Sir Arthur Evans to begin excavations in Crete in 1893 were the Milk Stones, Minoan seals with pictogram inscriptions, made of ivory and stone, that he discovered at a market in Athens. His curiosity was ignited when he learnt that Greek women wore them before or after childbirth, and he set off for the hill of Knossos, where they had been found. Some of these seals have pictograms inscribed, and they are called Cretan hieroglyphics. In this writing system, pictograms represent animals, plants, specific parts of the human body, and daily tools.

　Cretan hieroglyphics were used between the Proto-palatial and Neo-palatial Periods of the Minoan civilization (notably between 1800 to 1600 BCE) and are presumed to predate Linear A (c. 1800-1450 BCE). They use symbols that resemble Linear A and Indus symbols. Since both Linear A and Indus script can be deciphered as ancient Japanese, Cretan hieroglyphics too, may also have been used to record an ancient form of Japanese.

　Note: In some literature, the pictograms of the Phaistos Disk are described as Cretan hieroglyphics but here, a distinction should be made. The Phaistos Disk was probably a children's boardgame, and the pictograms must have been tailor-made for the purpose.

　Last fall, I started work on Cretan hieroglyphics to see if they, too, could be understood as Japanese, with the help of documents and photographs on the Internet. The results are as follows:

　1． Cat Seal (eyeballs that pop out⇒ MEDETAI)

(1) Green Jasper Seal

　If you search for Cretan hieroglyphics in Wikipedia, a green jasper seal appears at the beginning, with a face of a cat on the left side, in horizontal position; there is an eye (ME) in the center; a symbol of a stamp on its right, with three small circles in its upper left; a small "×" appears on the far right.

　ME (eye) is very similar to the corresponding Indus symbol, but since the eyeball seems to be popping out, it can be read as ME-DE-TAI (a matter for celebration). On the far right, if you add an edge-line to the "×" you will see the Indus character DAI. To its left, the symbol of the stamp (similar to the 王, or king, in Oracle bone script) can be read as NE in Linear A.

　If you put them in order, it will be NEKO ME/MEDETAI 3 NEN DAI. If you read from right to left, it will be DAI SANNEN ME. MEDETAI KONE or, SANSAI NINATTA MEDETAI KONE (３歳になった目出たい子ね), meaning, "a happy child, now 3 years of age.” So this must be a good luck charm to celebrate the third birthday of a child. In those days, since the infant mortality rate was high, for a child to reach the age of three was cause for celebration; this custom may have been inherited in the festive celebration of Shichi-Go-San (7, 5, 3).

(2) Cat Totem Pole

　This is a seal that is featured in the YouTube program "Some thoughts on Cretan Hieroglyphic" presented by Cambridge University Professor, Torsten Meissner. 4 cat faces are arranged vertically from top to bottom, and their eyeballs look as if they are about to pop out.

　If you read it as NEKO (cat) times 4, it becomes YONE YOKO, then YOTSU/YONIN NO YOIKO (good child, 4), and the cat’s eyes must be an expression of MEDETAI (eyes want to pop out/congratulations). It must therefore be a good luck charm to celebrate the 4th birthday of a child or birth of a 4th child.　

(3) Cat on a Platform

　This is the seal shown on page 153, in the 3rd row from the top, on the far left, in Scripta Minoa by Sir Arthur Evans. (It is also found by searching for “Cats in the Aegean Scripts” on the internet and entering the CREWS Project site, where there can be found 3 oval seals displayed vertically, each featuring a cat in the center.)

　On the left side of the cat is a symbol of a thigh (MOMO) and, above its head, the Linear A sign RE. The cat’s eyes that look ready to pop out, can be interpreted as NEKO MEDETAKU　(cat, eyes about to pop out/ felicitations). The symbol on the right is KUNEKUNE (twisting). Next, as the platform on which the cat sits resembles an upside down KUSHI (comb), this is read as SHIKU. Furthermore, the entire seal can be read as YORU (night), because of its dark color.

　Combined with the three turns of the KUNEKUNE symbol, you can read it as, MORENAKU, NE. MEDETAKUNE.YOROSHIKU, NE (もれなく、ね。めでたくね。宜しく、ね) or “Felicitations. Best Wishes and Regards." Accordingly, this must be an amulet, to wish for the well-being and prosperity of the family at the beginning of a year.

　2. New Year's Seal

　Eight seals with Cretan hieroglyphic inscriptions are found on page 6 of the website “From Icon to Sign” by Silvia Ferrara.

（１）Top row, second seal from the left

　The symbol on the right side of the double ax is NEN positioned horizontally with a bar crossing the center and can be read as NEN=SI. Next, if we change our perspective and construe it as A (AB08) from Linear A, with a vertical bar added to the upper center, it can be read as A-I. The peg-shaped symbol on the left is a combination of Linear A symbol SA (AB31) and Indus script TU, thus read as SA-TU. Together, this becomes NEN-SI A-I SA-TU年始の挨拶, or “New Year's greeting.”

(2) Lower row, center seal

　The symbol below is the same as the double axe above, and read as NEN-SI A-I. The symbol immediately above is the Indus script TU. The grass symbol divided into three parts at the top is SA. Together, this becomes, NEN-SI A-I SA TU年始の挨拶, or, “New Year's greeting.”

　3. Wishes for Good Marriage, etc.

　By searching for images with, “Cretan hieroglyphics hi-res stock photos and images,” you will find 7 seals in the first row, presented by Alamy. The 3 seals on the left side originate from Scripta Minoa, by Sir Arthur Evans, page 153, in the second row from the top. The 4 seals on the right side are on the top part of page 155.

(Seal on the upper left)

　The balance-like symbol on the left is an abbreviated form of RYO in Indus script. Focusing on the three circles, if you add EN　(circle) and SAN (three), it can be read as "RYOEN=SAN (good marriage partner). The symbol on the right is read as YOME because of the 4 eyes (ME), and with the addition of KO (AB70) from Linear A at the top and the bottom, it becomes YOME KOKO. Combined together, it becomes RYOENSAN YOME KOKO 良縁さん、嫁　（なら）ここ　(good marriage partner, find spouse, here), or, “single woman, looking for a marriage partner.”

(Seal on the upper right)

　The symbol on the left is FUNE (boat). To the right, 4 ME/MA (eyes) are connected by 2 segments, giving rise to the word YOIMA, or motion sickness demon. To the right, the green pepper-like symbol is NA. On the right edge, there is a lattice, KOUSHI. Together, this can be read as FUNA YOIMA NAKUSHI船酔い魔無くし (get rid of the seasickness demon), and so this must be a talisman to prevent seasickness.

(Left side, in the middle)

　The symbol below can be read as NENSHI (new year),　because SHI is piercing the base, NEN. A four-legged animal that looks like a horse, is trying to jump over this symbol. If the 12 Oriental zodiac signs　were used, it must indicate, "Year of the Horse, New Year Celebration."

(Right side, 3rd seal from the top)

　On the far left is the symbol MEDETAI（felicitations）. The symbol in the center reads as NEMASUME because the symbol of the stamp NE lies on a grid (MASUME）. On the far right is the balance symbol RYO, borrowed from Indus script, with circles (EN) on both sides. The central pillar is shaped like TE from Linear A. All put together, it will be MEDETAINE MUSUME GA RYOUENNWO ETE　(目出たいね、娘が良縁を得て), or, “So happy that the daughter has found a good partner.”

(Left side, bottom)

　The symbol on the left, construed to come from Indus script, is read as KUYO/YOKU ＋ SHI, to give YOKUTOSHI (next year). Together with the animal on the right, assuming that the 12 Oriental zodiac signs were used, this reads as, YOKUTOSHIWA, INOSHISHI (翌年は、亥), or “Next Year is the Year of the Boar".

　４．Wishes for Good Marriage and Children

　These seals are shown on the upper part of page 154 of Scripta Minoa by Sir Arthur Evans.

(b) The displayed image shows the seal, upside down from its proper position and, after left-right correction, the roughly 3 symbols are read as follows:

(Left) The large symbol corresponds to RE in Linear A and, if the 3 bulbs at the forked end are read as DEME (出目、protruding eyes), the whole symbol is read as MEDE-RE. At the bottom are 2 small symbols that resemble spiral shells. If KO is assigned to each, by token of the similar symbol KO in Linear A, they are read together as, KOKO. 　All together this becomes, KOKO-MEDE-RE.

(Center) The symbol resembles a balancing toy and a simplified version of the Indus character, RYO. If the 2 circular “weights” are read as, EN (circle) -NI (two), this becomes, RYO-EN-NI.

(Right) In the Indus style, the large seal symbol can be read as, NEN, but given the handle, shaped as a tree (KI), it should be read as KI-NEN. Each of the 3 small “bud” symbols can be read as SIME (締め) and, since 3 is SAN, together, this becomes KINEN-SAN-SIME.

(Conclusion) Put together, the inscription is reads as follows:

　KOKO-MEDE-RE RYO-EN-NI KINEN-SAN-SIME

　ここ目出よ、良縁に、記念の３本締め。

　Felicitations for a wonderful relationship, 3 cheers in commemoration!

(c) Seal with symbols in clusters of 3 to 4

(Left) The 2 teeth (HA) are read as HAHA. There are 2 circles (WO, in Indus style) on top and another 2, connected with a rod (KAI/YA). The 4 circles read as, WO-(YO/SI), and the whole cluster becomes HAHA-WO-(YO/SI)-KAI/YA.

(Center, upper arm) The upper arm is read as NA, and the hand is TE. There are 2 circles (WO) connected with a rod (KAI/YA) just above. Combined, this reads NA-TE-WO-NI-KAI/YA.

(Center, double crescent): The 2 moons read as, TUKI-NI. Hanging from the left side, at the bottom, there is a bud (SIME) symbol and, combined, this reads TUKI-NI-SIME.

(Right) Overall, the symbol is shaped like a flower (HANA). There are 4 small eyes (YO-ME) attached as petals, and a large eye (ME) in the center; this eye consists of concentric circles, in alternating colors of black and white (SIRO-KURO). Together, this reads as HANA YO-ME ME WO SIRO-KURO.

(Conclusion)

　Combined, this reads as follows:

　HAHA-WO-KAI/YA-SI NA-TE-WO-NI-KAI/YA NI-TUKI-SIME HANA YO-ME ME WO SIRO-KURO

　母を介助し、何て鬼かいや。２月、占め（飯とオシメに）、花嫁は、目を白黒。

　Nursing care for mother, what an ogre of a job! After 2 months of devotion/ meal preparation and changing diapers, the bride's eyes flicker in exhaustion.

　The seal expresses the feelings of a newlywed woman, who nurse-cared her mother-in-law for 2 months. The symbol on the left must double for sagging breasts, and the large flower symbol on the right may also represent a grave.

(d) Seal with 3 large symbols

　The seal is displayed upside down from its proper position and, after left-right correction, the symbols are read as follows:

(Left) There are 3 concentric circles (三重円, SAN-JUU/EN) with “feet” (SI) extending beyond (越え, KOE) on 2 sides, each tipped with an eye (ME), so this reads as SAN-JUU/EN-KOE-NI-MEDESI.

(Center) This symbol must represent childbirth, with the eye symbolizing, auspicious celebration (MEDETAI). Above the eye are eyelashes, 5 on the left and 3 toward the right, that read as, SAN-GO. Together, the symbol reads, SAN-GO MEDETAI.

(Right) The seal (NEN) with tree-shaped handle (KI), is surrounded by 2 (NI) “bud” (SIME) symbols and 3 small circles (WO), 2 of which are connected by a rod (KAI/YA). Combined, this reads KINEN-NI-SIME-WO-SAN-KAI/YA.

(Conclusion)

　Combined, this reads as:

　SAN-JUU/EN-KOE-NI-MEDESI SAN-GO MEDETAI KINEN-NI-SIME-WO-SAN-KAI-YA

　30年を超えて、めでし。産後、めでたい。記念に締めを、３回や。

　Past the age of 30, an auspicious celebration. After childbirth, congratulations. Now commemorate with 3 cheers!

　This celebrates childbirth after 30 years of age, late in life in those days.

　5. Wishes for Safe Childbirth

(1) On page 157 of Scripta Minoa, there are 4 oblong seal images at the bottom, 3rd row, showing the 4 sides of a carnelian seal from Crete, and the image on the far left, with 3 hieroglyphic symbols, is analyzed and translated below.

(Top)

　The symbol depicts the head of a dog (INU) with large eyes, read as, MEDE. The tongue sticking out, is accounted for as, SITA. Put together, it reads as, INU MEDE TASI.

(Center)

　 This is an arm (NA/UDE) bent at a right angle. The hand (TE) clutches a claw (TUME), and is read as, TE-TUME. Together, this becomes, TUME-TE NA/UDE. The tooth (HA) symbol (near the dog’s tongue), with 2 protrusions (SI) on the left and right sides, is read as, HA YO-SI. All combined, the symbol is read as, TUME-TE NA/UDE HA YO-SI.

(Below)

　This symbol depicts deer antlers, that resemble the Indus script symbol for “comb” (KUSI) folded (ORE)into a V-shape. The right side, with 5 branches, is read as (GO/TE)-KU; the left side, with 6 branches, as ROKU/(SAN-NI), deriving from 6 and 3×2. Together, this becomes, (KUSI-ORE) (GO/TE)-KU ROKU/(SAN-NI).

(Summary) Combining the 3 symbols results in,

　INU MEDE TASI TUME-TE NA/UDE HA YO-SI (ORE-KUSI) (GO/TE)-KU ROKU/(SAN-NI)

　イヌ（安産。めでたしの妻で、腕は良い。嬉しくて、御苦労さん。

　It’s a dog case (safe delivery of a child), and felicitations to the wife, for a skilled performance. I’m so happy. So thank you, good job!

　The dog is known for easy childbirth and considered an auspicious animal. In modern Japan, there is a custom where, upon entering the 5th month of pregnancy, a stable period, people visit a shrine to pray for safe delivery, on the day of the Dog, according to the traditional calendar.

(2) In, Materiality of Minoan Writing, Georgia Flouda (Heraklion Archaeological Museum) has displayed 8 seals with Cretan hieroglyphics, on page 151.

　Seal (a): Crete #205, a seal separated into 2 rows.

　〇 Top Row

　 There are 3 symbols, analyzed as follows:

　-Right: A fish, facing downwards: SA.

　- Center: Head and chest of a long-haired woman, analyzed as an eye (ME) + two protrusions (NI) + supporting rod (TUKI), combined to read, ME-NI-TUKI.

　- Left: Water jar (MIZUKAME) with a small cross on the lower left- hand corner, interpreted as a hand clap.

　Together, the top part is read as, SA TUKI-ME-NI MIZUKAME (clap).

　〇 Bottom Row

　The symbols are analyzed as follows:

　-Right: Double axe + 2 crosses: (NEN-SI) / (A-I) + (2 hand claps).

　-Left: A fish, facing downwards. Separated into, tail + fish + eye, this reads as, O-SA-ME.

　Put together, the bottom part is read as, (NEN-SI) / (A-I) O-SA-ME +(2 claps).

　〇 Conclusion

　 Together, this becomes,

　SA TUKI-ME-NI MIZUKAME (clap) (NEN-SI) / (A-I) O-SA-ME (clap twice)

　五月目の水甕で、拍手。年始、相収めで、拍手２回。

　Now, into the 5th month, the prospective mother is a stable water jar. A hand clap for cheers! Together with New Year's greetings, 2 claps!

　This suggests that a woman has entered her 5th month of pregnancy, a stable period that is noticeable; in the upper row, the symbol in the middle shows her head and chest, and the water jar on the left side, her silhouette. In the lower row, the cluster to the right is a caricature of the baby's face.

Seal (f): Gouves Pediados #292.

　 The seal has symbols on 2 sides and closely resembles Seal (a) but lacks the cross (hand clap) symbol.

(Top) Much in the same way as Seal (a), this reads as,

　SA TUKI-ME-NI MIZUKAME

　五月目に、（安定の）水甕

　In the 5th month, （stable） water jar.

(Bottom) Basically, the same 2 symbols as in the lower row of Seal (a) but placed in reverse.

(NEN-SI) / (A-I) O-SA-ME

　年始、相収め

　 Respects, together with New Year's greetings.

(Together)

　In the 5th month, a stable water jar. Respects, together with New Year's greetings.

　On the top side, the symbol in the center is a cartoon image of the left side of a woman’s head, with long hair, horns, and slanted eyes. The water jar on the left is equipped with a handle that points toward the belly. On the lower side, the swollen double axe likely represents pregnancy.

　Water jars also appear on Seals (b), (c), (d) and (e), to symbolize a stable period in pregnancy. Notably, the symbols in the bottom side of Seal (c) are identical to those in the top of Seal (a), but are surrounded by 3 triangular platforms, so that it could be read as,

　五月目に水甕で参内 (Visit to the shrine on the 5th month, stable water jar).

　 In Japan, there is a custom of visiting Suiten-Guu (“Aquarius”) Shrine on the 5th month of pregnancy, to pray for safe childbirth.

　These readings are much in line with the explanations given by Cretan women to Sir Arthur Evans on the “milk stones”, to the effect that they were worn as good luck charms, before and after childbirth.