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The ankh symbol has been around for thousands of years. It has been depicted by artists and historians amongst more than one religion and its acceptance across cultures is only growing. But why is this symbol held so highly in regard? What is the ankh...Read More»

« Previous Next » The ankh symbol has been around for thousands of years. It has been depicted by artists and historians amongst more than one religion and its acceptance across cultures is only growing. But why is this symbol held so highly in regard? What is the ankh symbol? Historians, with Egyptologists included have researched the ankh meaning for decades now and in this article we will cover everything you need to know and this ancient hieroglyphic. What is an ankh cross? (AKA key of life or Egyptian Cross) The Ankh Cross is an Egyptian hieroglyph that is typically a simple cross with a loop at the top. The symbol was mostly used in writing and art as a method of symbolizing life, the breath of life, or eternal life, the sun and fertility. The Ankh was also referred to as the key of life and was often depicted in art being held by the loop by gods. It is said it would act as a key to the gateway between the living and the dead, opening to allow souls through in the afterlife. History of the ankh Even though the Origin on the Ankh symbol is still uncertain to this day because the sign is similar to the sign for a “sandal strap” although with later investigation Egyptologists were able to decipher the sign to mean “life”. It is is said to date back to the early Dynastic Period (c. 3150 – 2613 BCE) which was the beginning of the Egyptian era. It was when North and South Egypt were united under one government. The ankh symbol has been passed down since then and has become more common among other religions and cultures around the world. Ankh symbol meaning/definition The Ankh has more than one definition as it is celebrated by more than one religion or culture. Firstly, “nh'” is the Egyptian word which means life. This word is represented by the hieroglyphic, the Ankh symbol. It is also known as the crux ansata, or the Egyptian cross, as mentioned above. Crux ansata is a Latin word which translates to “cross with handle”. What does the ankh symbolize and represent? The Ankh is a popular symbol which is widely recognized around the world and shared across cultures as a powerful emblem. For the Egyptians, it was a symbol which represents life, the after life and eternity. Egyptian gods as well as ancient African kings were depicted holding the ankh sign, usually in front of their eyes which would symbolize the breath of life. were It also symbolized the union between a man and a woman with the loop representing the female womb and the cross representing male organs. Some say the horizontal line of the cross is a representation of men and women creating life. The early Christians of Egypt held the Ankh in high regard for symbolizing Christ’s promise of eternal life with him in Heaven. In modern or neopagan religions it is used to symbolize one’s honor in the ancient Egyptian spiritual practices or their ties to Africa within their heritage. Ankh meaning ancient Egypt & modern Egypt There are a multitude of meanings for the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic. One of which, as mentioned above is the symbol of life, or the after life as they believed their human life was only a part of an eternal life which did not end after their death. Another is that the circle at the top is a symbol which has no beginning or end, representing the celestial world or the sun god, Ra, and the horizontal line of the cross is the horizon. This links us to yet another symbolization of the union of two entities namely the spiritual and physical realm or male and Female energies meeting. The circle of the ankh also serves as the handle of the key of life, or the key of the Nile, which rests against earth’s horizon at sunrise and sunset. The key also opens the doors into the after life, or realm of the dead, or the entrance to the tomb of deceased kings where one would place an ankh symbol on their forehead, between their eyes. The Ankh’s circle at the top is also said to tie everything in life together in the middle where the circle aligns with the cross. This is referred to as the knot of Isis. Isis is one part of a trio of Egyptian gods, namely Osiris, Horus and of course, Isis – the god of love and life. People of Egyptian culture use the Ankh symbol as an amulet and in this case it would represent life, not the after life. These amulets carried the traits or virtues of the goddess, Isis, and they would serve as a talisman guiding one through this said eternal life. They would gift these amulets to lost loved ones as a offering to take with them to the after life. The goddess Isis would guide these souls into the world of the dead and then Osiris, who was said to be her husband, would then place an ankh cross over their still lips to revive their soul to live out their eternity in the after life. The Ankh is not to be confused with the “tjet” which is said to be a female symbol and worn on the girdle of Isis. The Tjet symbol is similar to that of the ankh but the arms pf the cross are bent down alongside the long line coming down from...

What Is an Ankh Cross & What Do Egyptian Ankh Symbols Mean?