Refers specifically to ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Often used in academic or historical contexts. The loanword ヒエログリフ is also common.
See also: ヒエログリフ
Hieroglyphs are carved into the Egyptian ruins.
Katakana loanword for 'hieroglyph', more common in casual or modern contexts. 神聖文字 is the native Japanese term and feels more formal or descriptive.
Compound of 神聖 (shinsei, 'sacred') and 文字 (moji, 'character, script'), literally 'sacred characters'. A calque or translation of the Greek 'hieroglyphikos'.