Extension:WikiHiero/Syntax

Layout codes
Layout codes are characters that:
 * Separate hieroglyphs
 * Indicate the organization of the hieroglyphs in space (that is, the position of hieroglyphs in a block)

Example: gives

(-) Inline separator
The official hieroglyph separator is the hyphen character ("-"), also called block separator) but you are also allowed to use a space because it is a widespread practice.

(!) Forced line break
To make a new line of text, use the exclamation character ("!"). Normally, the "end-of-line" must be surrounded by separators (as -!-), but space or nothing are also allowed.

Blanks
A dot (".") represents a half-group blank; two dots ("..") represent a one-group blank. Blanks are not fully functional, as attempting to stack a glyph on top of a blank does not give the expected result. The em-space (" ") can be used as a workaround.

(\) Mirrored glyphs
To mirror a glyph, add the backslash character ("\") immediately after its code, with no intervening separator.

Superposition
To superpose hieroglyphs, use the colon character (":") instead of the hyphen.

(*) Juxtaposition
To juxtapose hieroglyphs, use the asterisk character ("*</tt>"). Juxtaposing hieroglyphs is only relevant when they are part of a block which is superposed.

Hieroglyphs
There are two ways of encoding hieroglyphs:
 * using Gardiner's sign list code (e.g. A12</tt>)
 * with the more frequent phonemes (e.g. xA</tt>)

Phonemes
They are coded with codes of one or two letters.
 * See Extension:WikiHiero/phonemes.

Gardiner's sign list
A hieroglyph is encoded by:
 * a letter that represents the category;
 * a number that represents rank within the category.

Example: gives

A. Man and his occupations
Expected quantity: 55

B. Woman and her occupations
Expected quantity: 7

C. Anthropomorphic deities
Expected quantity: 9

D. Parts of the human body
Expected quantity: 63

E. Mammals
Expected quantity: 34

F. Parts of mammals
Expected quantity: 52

G. Birds
Expected quantity: 54

H. Parts of birds
Expected quantity: 8

I. Amphibious animals, reptiles, etc.
Expected quantity: 15

J. None
There is no J category, perhaps to avoid confusion with I.

K. Fish and parts of fish
Expected quantity: 7

L. Invertebrates and lesser animals
Expected quantity: 7

M. Trees and plants
Expected quantity: 44

N. Sky, earth, water
Expected quantity: 42

O. Buildings, parts of buildings, etc.
Expected quantity: 51

P. Ships and parts of ships
Expected quantity: 11

Q. Domestics and funerary furniture
Expected quantity: 7

R. Temple furniture and sacred emblems
Expected quantity: 25

S. Crowns, dress, staves, etc.
Expected quantity: 45

T. Warfare, hunting, and butchery
Expected quantity: 35

U. Agriculture, crafts, and professions
Expected quantity:

V. Rope, fiber, baskets, bags, etc.
Expected quantity: 38

W. Vessels of stone and earthenware
Expected quantity: 25

X. Loaves and cakes
Expected quantity: 8

Y. Writings, games, music
Expected quantity: 8

Z. Strokes, signs derived from Hieratic, geometrical figures
Expected quantity: 11

Aa. Unclassified
Expected quantity: 31