shen ring

Borrowed from Egyptian šn (“shen ring, circuit”), a derivative of šnj (“to be round, to encircle”).

shen ring (plural shen rings)

1. A circle with a line at a tangent to it, represented in hieroglyphs as a stylized loop of rope, representing eternal protection.

   In its elongated form, the shen ring became the cartouche which enclosed and protected a royal name.

• Nehrings