How were hieroglyphs used on coffins and statues in ancient Egypt?

In ancient Egypt, hieroglyphs were used on coffins and statues as a form of decorative, monumental writing that served both secular and religious purposes. Because hieroglyphs were pictorial, they were often applied using techniques consistent with fine art, such as painting, incising, or inlaying into wood and metal.1

On coffins, these inscriptions frequently included funerary texts, such as the Coffin Texts, which consisted of magic formulas and spells intended to protect the deceased and ensure their sustenance in the hereafter. When used on statues and other monuments, hieroglyphs were often carved using chisels and hammers.213

The application of these signs was deeply influenced by religious concepts. For instance, certain symbols representing dangerous animals or human figures were sometimes avoided or garbled in grave inscriptions to prevent them from harming the deceased. Conversely, symbols with positive religious significance—such as those for gods or the king—were often placed in front of other signs, even if they were intended to be read last, as a mark of reverence. For minor or decorative arts, craftsmen sometimes used "cursive hieroglyphs," an abbreviated form of the monumental signs.43