The cartouche is a modified shen ring, with an elongated/oval enclosing ring. The cartouche is used to encircle the names of royalty, such as pharaohs and queens, to protect that person from evil spirits, both in life and after death.

The cartouche shown on this page is the cartouche of Queen Nefertari. The cartouche contains the spelling of her name; a more literal translation of the text is "Nefertari (Beautiful Companion), Beloved of Mut." The cartouche is also surrounded by two wadjet cobras, representing the protector goddess of Lower Kemet, associated with the Eye of Ra.