Memes are a significant part of pop culture, and their roots can be traced back thousands of years. One notable trend is the use of ancient Egyptian themes in modern memes, which has sparked both interest and controversy.
The "Egyptian Trend" Animation Meme
The "Egyptian Trend," also known as the "Egypt Trend," is an animation meme where a character is depicted next to an Egyptian pyramid, both covered in hieroglyphics. The meme then transitions to reveal an ancient Egyptian-themed version of the character dancing. This trend is often used to showcase characters in a provocative manner.
In one example, an artist created an animation featuring a hieroglyphics-style drawing of their Sonic the Hedgehog OC Setekh. Initially, a wall of hieroglyphics obscures the drawing, but as the beat drops, the image changes to a more detailed depiction of Setekh performing an Egyptian dance reminiscent of the Ankha Zone dance.
The artist expressed concerns that this trend was disrespectful to their work and character, emphasizing that Setekh is an original character with his own lore and personality, distinct from Sonic. They also clarified that while they may have popularized the trend within the Sonic community, they are not the original creator.
On April 1st, 2025, a YouTuber named RAND0M_Alexandra posted a version of the meme in collaboration with Serinity_.Dear.
Read also: The Language of the Pharaohs
The Hotep Subculture and Egyptian Imagery
Another notable phenomenon is the "Hotep" subculture, which frequently incorporates Egyptian imagery to convey messages related to Black pride and social justice. The term "Hotep" originates from the ancient Egyptian word for "to be at peace" but has evolved into a label used by outsiders to describe those with perceived problematic beliefs and opinions.
Hotep memes often present Black women as "Nubian queens" or "mothers of civilization," celebrating their beauty and power. These memes sometimes conflate various African cultural elements with stereotypes, such as animal skins, "tribal" clothing, and ancient Egyptian royalty.
One meme shows a Black man dressed in an African kufi hat with an Egyptian-design eye patch and a glowing eye, symbolizing enlightenment to some hidden truth. The line between genuine Hotep posts and parodies has become increasingly blurred.
For example, one meme depicts a Black man dressed as an Egyptian pharaoh with the caption: "After you’ve defeated all the Hoteps, this is the final boss."
The ENTIRE History of Egypt | Ancient Civilizations Documentary
Historical Context and Cultural Fascination
The fascination with ancient Egypt is not new. It dates back to the late 1700s when Napoleon Bonaparte’s campaign in North Africa sparked interest in Egyptian art and archaeological remains. The 1972 "Treasures of Tutankhamun" exhibition at the British Museum drew hundreds of thousands of visitors, marking the beginning of a new wave of "Egyptomania" in the Western world.
Read also: Pharaohs: A detailed look
For young Black individuals seeking to connect with their ancestral cultural heritage, ancient Egypt provides a familiar and appealing starting point. The trauma of the transatlantic slave trade created a void that was filled by a "therapeutic mythology," constructing a heritage around memories of the homeland.
In the early 20th century, Afrocentrists like Molefi Kete Asante and scholars like W.E.B. Du Bois emphasized the relationship between ancient Egypt and modern Black Americans to foster a sense of pride in Black achievement. However, these connections sometimes assume that all ancient Egyptians physically resembled those who identify as Black today and that all modern Black people can trace their lineage to ancient Egypt, which is not entirely accurate.
Recent research suggests that early Egyptians were primarily lighter-skinned and that genetic mixing with darker-skinned sub-Saharan peoples occurred later in history.
The Double-Edged Sword of Afrocentrism
The Hotep movement exemplifies how Afrocentrism can foster positive identity constructions. It is rooted in a long tradition of looking to Africa for sources of pride. Contemporary examples include the Afrofuturist movie "Black Panther," the rise of Afrobeats in American music, and Beyoncé’s use of Egyptian aesthetics in her clothing line.
However, the Hotep narrative can also be damaging. Hotep memes often rely on misogyny, homophobia, inaccurate historical information, and stereotypes of the Black experience. Therefore, it is essential to critically examine the underlying messages and implications of this subculture.
Read also: The Art of Ancient Egypt
Menes: The First Pharaoh
Ancient tradition attributes to Menes the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt into a single kingdom and his reign as the first pharaoh of the First Dynasty. Although Menes does not appear on extant pieces of the Royal Annals, his name is mentioned in later sources as the first ruler of Egypt. Some accounts suggest he directly inherited the throne from the god Horus.
The name Menes is first documented in the work of Manetho, a historian and priest from the Ptolemaic period, who recorded the name in Greek as Μήνης. The Egyptian form, mnj, is derived from the Turin and Abydos King Lists, dating to the Nineteenth Dynasty, and is pronounced as */maˈnij/.
Two primary documents are cited as evidence to identify either Narmer or Hor-Aha as Menes. The first is the "Naqada Label," found in the tomb of Queen Neithhotep, which features a serekh of Hor-Aha next to an enclosure with symbols interpreted as the name "Menes". The second is a seal impression from Abydos that alternates between a serekh of Narmer and the chessboard symbol "mn," interpreted as an abbreviation of Menes.
Modern consensus places the era of Menes or the beginning of the First Dynasty between c. 3200-3030 BC.
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