The Ankh
The Key of Life, Symbol of Eternal Existence
Description and Symbolism
The Ankh is the most recognizable symbol from ancient Egypt, a hieroglyph representing "life" that became the most powerful of all protective amulets. Shaped like a cross with a loop at the top, the ankh was carried by gods and pharaohs alike, and was believed to contain the power to bestow and sustain life itself.
In Egyptian art, gods are frequently depicted holding ankhs to the noses of pharaohs, symbolizing the gift of the breath of life. The ankh represented not only physical life but also spiritual and eternal life, the life of the ka (soul) that continued after death.
Symbolic Meanings:
- Physical Life: The breath of life given by the gods
- Eternal Life: The afterlife and immortal soul
- Divine Authority: Power held by gods and pharaohs
- Protection: Warding against evil and death
- Fertility: Connection to the Nile's life-giving waters
- Union: The joining of male and female principles
Origins and Interpretations
Theories of Origin
Scholars have proposed various explanations for the ankh's distinctive shape:
- A stylized knot representing the union of Isis and Osiris
- A sandal strap, as the word "ankh" is related to the word for sandal
- The rising sun over the horizon
- A representation of the trachea and bronchi, relating to breath
- Combined male and female symbols representing creation
Use as an Amulet
Ankhs were worn as protective amulets by both the living and the dead. Placed in tombs, they ensured the deceased's continued existence in the afterlife. Made from precious metals, faience, or stone, ankh amulets were among the most common grave goods throughout Egyptian history.
Related Articles
Bibliography
- Wilkinson, Richard H. Reading Egyptian Art. Thames & Hudson, 1992.
- Andrews, Carol. Amulets of Ancient Egypt. British Museum Press, 1994.
- Pinch, Geraldine. Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press, 2004.