Quadrat (hieroglyph block)

Ankhnesneferibre's coffin lid. The glyphs read into the facing of the hieroglyphs, as column 3, 2, then 1. Column 1 ends at the bottom with a hieroglyph block of "people", i.e. "man, woman, plural" (3 vertical strokes).[1]
A1 B1
Z1 ` Z1 ` Z1

A quadrat block (or quadrate block) is a virtual rectangle or square in Egyptian hieroglyphic text.

The glyphs (hieroglyphs) can be variable in number within the virtual block, though they are often proportioned according to variable standardized rules of scribal methods.[2]

The definition for the block in Illustrated Hieroglyphics Handbook by Schumann-Antelme and Rossini, is: "A 'quadrate' is a virtual square, which although not drawn, guides the hand of the scribe. Hieroglyphs must be aesthetically positioned within the quadrate and their size must be proportioned accordingly. They form groups that are pleasing to the eye and based on the laws of balance."[3]

  1. ^ 3-strokes (hieroglyph);[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ Schumann-Antelme and Rossini, Illustrated Hieroglyphics Handbook, subsection: General Considerations on Hieroglyphic Writing, p. 13-14.
  3. ^ Schumann-Antelme and Rossini, p. 13.