In the introduction, the author writes that "The constant relation between a hieroglyph and its value as an image explains the deep nature of its tie with art. Every hieroglyph may itself be a work of art, as often occurs in writing on monuments. Reciprocally, every artistic object from ancient Egypt should be read and decoded in its elements as a hieroglyphic whole...Text and image frequently interpenetrate...Some sculptures are truly three-dimensional hieroglyphs, gigantic stone rebuses." The introduction explains hieroglyphic writing. The main section of the book traces the origins and meaning in detail of approximately 600 hieroglyphics used in the classical phase of Egypt's sacred writing. A glossary and a bibliography are also included. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.