What could it be?

[Daeg]

Hello, I'm a newbe here, I have a problem coz I want to know what could be the meaning of words on some "thing" on photos I post here. I thought it could be Coptic language?




What do letters on it mean? and what could that thing be, what are the symbols on it?
Thank you for any help!

[Admin]

There is some letters
Since Coptic and Greek uses (almost) the same alphabet
this could be either Coptic Or Greek
There is a very few letters and I am not able to form a word from them

Maybe if you can give us more details about what is this thing, from where was it originated, what is it for maybe we can help better

[Daeg]

Since Coptic and Greek uses (almost) the same alphabet
this could be either Coptic Or Greek

Yes, I cannot find it was Greek or Coptic, it belongs to member of Egyptian family and was given from father to son in generations, the family came from Greece on the begining of 20th century, so it could be Greek as well, but not for sure.

Maybe if you can give us more details about what is this thing, from where was it originated, what is it for maybe we can help better

Unfortunately I don't know answers for your questions. I know that it had some kind of herbs inside and it's very old thing.
I hoped anybody here saw something like this before.
Thank you anyway!

[Admin]

OK the words looks like greek to me
the left one I think it is Καυτ
I greek word which I don't know its meaning
but doing google search for this word gives some results which mean it has a meaning
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=active&rlz=1B3GGGL_en___EG230&q=%CE%9A%CE%B1%CF%85%CF%84&btnG=Search
try posting in greek forums.
ps:
if you could find the meaning can you please post it for us here ?

[Daeg]

OK, I thought about posting on some Greek Orthodox sites too.
Sure I will let you know if I'll find anything
Greets

[Admin]

Ok in the meanwhile I will move this topic to the "Ask" section
because there is where this topic should be

[Daeg]

Hello!
I asked about it on other forums and what they say is that "box" could be "philakto" - something that had some saint herbs or oils, to protect the owner in Orthodox church. Still don't know what do symbols mean exactly, but generally it's cross with spread on one side and reed on other side with initial letters below - it's not words. It also could be a seal but then it should be read reversed so they wonder if it is written is Slavonic or old Greek...
You can read all discussion here:
OrthodoxChristianity.net
Best regards

[Admin]

Thank you for sharing the answer with us

[Daeg]

But it's not the last answer though. Can you tell me is there anything like "philakto" in Coptic culture?

[Admin]

No, it doesn't seems like a Coptic word to me

[Daeg]

Yes, the word "philakto" is definitely Greek, but is there anything like such boxs in Coptic art to keep saint relic or saint herbs inside to protect the owner?
If you don't know the answer, don't you know anyone I could know it?
Thanks

[Admin]

I have never heard about anything called saint herbs
and relics are usually kept in Churches, normal people never carry those
having the saints' properties at your home for protection is unfamiliar idea to me (as a Coptic )
a similar box like that one used for hold the Incense
but I am not sure if the that was the purpose of the one you have

[Daeg]

OK, I'll keep searching 

[Daeg]

Oh, I have just another question, I'll quote somebody from another forum:

JANJA (g/j),  TAV (t/d),  FAI (f),   TAV (t/d)
If this is the abbreviation for the statement "The Place of the Skull Becomes Paradise" in Coptic (which is usually what is written at the base of the Mystical Cross) then we might be on to something.

What would you say?

[Admin]

The Place of the Skull Becomes Paradise
Ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ˋⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲛⲧⲉⲗⲙ ⲁϥϣⲟⲡ ˋⲛⲟⲩⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ
bema `nte beandalm afshob en ouparadisos

this is in the Bohairic dialect of Coptic (other dialect should be very similar)
The abbreviation should be
M (me)
A (Alpha)
sh (Shay)
B/P (Be/Pi)

completely different than the one you would suggest
at least the word paradise must be similar in Coptic because both Coptic and English borrowed it from Greek
[Origin: bef. 1000; ME, OE paradīs < LL paradīsus < Gk parádeisos park, pleasure-grounds <

so if there is an abbreviation for the sentence you said, it must ends with "P/B" before you can consider it