The ankh, also called the Egyptian cross, was a symbol of life itself. It has a cross-like shape but a looped top. It is also known as the key of life, the key of the Nile, or crux ansata (Latin for “cross with a handle”).
This is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol that was most commonly used in writing and in art to represent the word “life” or “living.”.
The symbolism and meaning of the ankh have several different explanations and connections. The most significant and acknowledged explanation is that the ankh represents eternal life.
It signified wisdom and insight at the highest level and it was also a fertility symbol.
What Is The Spiritual Meaning Of The Ankh
The ankh was often used in funerary rites and tomb paintings, temples, and other ancient Egyptian artifacts and artwork, and it is often seen in the hands of gods and goddesses, pharaohs, and other important figures in ancient Egyptian culture.
It was also used in hieroglyphs to represent the word for “life.” Gods and pharaohs frequently carried the ankh and occasionally used it as a scepter. It was also widely used as an amulet in ancient Egypt.
The ankh was the ultimate gift of life
Truth About The Ankh
The Ankh was precious to the Deities and royalty.
Many reliefs in Ancient Egyptian temples show scenes where the king is offered the ankh by the gods. This symbolized the divine bestowal of eternal life.
One painting shows the goddess Hathor holding the ankh up under the nose of Nefertari. Queen Nefertari received the breath of life from the goddess herself.
She was one of the most popular queens of Ancient Egypt. Queen Nefertari was the wife of Ramesses the Great. She dies in 1255 BC.
Hathor is one of the great goddesses in Egyptian mythology. She is the goddess of women, female sexuality and motherhood. Hathor is the protector of joy, music and happiness.
The cow horns that the goddess Hathor wears on her head make her easily identifiable.
This popular goddess was also a goddess in foreign lands. Egyptians often worked in mines in other countries; therefore, she was the natural patron goddess of miners.
Horus and the Pharaoh
Images of the ankh were all over the place. The painting below shows Horus passing the ankh to a pharaoh.
Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris. He was a sun god and often linked with the falcon. The eye of Horus was a common symbol of protection.
The ankh’s connection to the Eye of Horus is a deep and complicated one that has been the subject of much debate and speculation over the years.
There are many different theories about how the two symbols are connected, but the most commonly accepted theory is that the ankh represents the left eye of Horus, while the Eye of Horus represents the right eye.
The ankh’s connection to the Egyptian god Osiris is very strong and very deep. It is often seen as a symbol of life and fertility, and Osiris is the god of both of those things.
The ankh is also seen as a symbol of resurrection, and Osiris is the god of resurrection. In many ways, the ankh is a symbol of everything that Osiris represents.
Ankh Meaning In Christianity
As a symbol of fertility, the loop represented the female organ and the line below represented the male organ.
This certainly also reflects the creation of new life, not to be misunderstood.
This is a man and woman in perfect union. By joining together man and woman in perfect harmony, new life is created.
The arms stretching out are said to represent the children created from the unification of male and female.
Spiritual Meaning
From a spiritual point of view, the ankh represented the key to all hidden knowledge. The loop symbolizes the eternal soul as it has no beginning or end. The cross in this spiritual interpretation represents death.
The ankh was the key to unraveling the mysteries of life and death.
The afterlife is the continuation of existence after death and was a vital factor in the Egyptian religion.
Can I use this Symbol for Protection?
Yes, you can use the ankh cross symbol for protection. The ankh cross has divine power that does the following:
- Gives long life. The ankh cross symbol can prolong one’s life. Therefore, if you are scared of dying young, an ankh cross is good to protect you.
- The ankh cross can be used to protect you from negative energy and spiritual attacks.
- The ankh cross can be used to protect you from bad luck. If you have experienced bad luck in the past, the ankh cross symbol is the best way to stop this from continuing.
- The Egyptian cross symbol can also protect you from sickness and poverty.
Can this Cross be Dangerous?
No, the ankh cross is not dangerous. It is going to be dangerous if you have wicked intentions towards others.
However, if your heart is pure, the ankh cross is a blessing. The energy keeps people in peace and safety.
Benefits of Wearing An Ankh
One of the components of the symbolism of the Ankh symbol is its association with many Egyptian gods and goddesses. It’s another way in which the symbol is both important and versatile, with complex and varied meanings. One prominent goddess often depicted with the Ankh symbol is Isis, goddess of fertility, magic, and healing.
Not only was she the wife of Osiris, ruler of the underworld, but she was also the first daughter of Geb and Nut, god of the earth and goddess of the sky. As for the underworld, Isis is often depicted holding an ankh to the lips of a soul to revive it and give it eternal life. Thus, the meaning of eternal life is given to the ankh Egyptian symbol.
Diamond Ankh Ring
IMAGE VIA MACYS
Diamond Ankh Ring
The goddess Neith is also connected to the Egyptian ankh symbol. She is the goddess of war and weaving. In festivals for Neith, Egyptians burned oil lamps to reflect the stars and make a mirror image of earth and sky. This connects to the ankh (which Neith is depicted holding) because the ankh is often thought of as a mirror.
Remember, it binds life on earth with the afterlife, and the Egyptians thought of the afterlife as a mirror image of earthly life. In fact, when ancient Egyptians made actual mirrors they made them in the shape of Ankhs. It all fits together!
Further, the ancient queen Nefertiti is depicted receiving an Ankh symbol from Isis. After that, many other kings received it as a symbol for long life.
What Does The Ankh Shape Represent?
Solid gold ankh necklace
IMAGE BY ACEELEGANCE VIA ETSY
Solid gold ankh necklace
What an awesome question! There are some different ideas about this. Ovals and circles are ripe for being interpreted in any number of ways. The Ankh shape is sometimes thought of as the rising sun.
Yet it has also been described as female genitals, with the staff at the bottom of the Ankh being male genitalia joining it. Naturally, over the years, because of the cross component of the Ankh, it has been compared to a Christian cross or considered to be simply another version of it.
Ankh Jewelry Today
Beyonce wearing an ankh pendant
Beyonce wearing an ankh pendant
In the 1990’s, Ankh jewelry came into vogue around the world. It’s still in style, with celebrities like Katy Perry, Beyonce, and Rihana sporting it. The unisex symbol is very versatile in necklaces, earrings, bracelets, charms, and even rings. Life and vitality will never go out of style and will never cease to be profound symbols.
Ankh Jewelry, Christianity, Eternal Life—Should I Wear The Ankh?
Diamond concave square with ankh stud earrings
IMAGE VIA ZALES
Diamond concave square with ankh stud earrings
There is some controversy and some misgivings surrounding the Christian cross and the Ankh. You may have heard that the Christian cross actually sprang from the Ankh symbol, and this is probably a simplified version of the development of the Christian cross.
Christianity made its way to Egypt in the first century AD. Some believe that Christians used a combination of the Ankh and a Staurogram symbol. This was a depiction of Christ on the cross to make an early version of the Christian cross. Today’s version has straighter horizontal bars and has become distinct from the Egyptian Ankh.
Ankh earrings
IMAGE BY PAPADELIJEWELLERY VIA ETSY
Ankh earrings
There are a lot of rumors or notions about wearing upside-down crosses or crosses that are somehow different from a standard Christian cross. It can be seen as sacrilegious or blasphemous in some way. However, those are mostly just urban legends and nothing that would get an actual individual in trouble.
You may not want to wear an Ankh necklace as a direct substitute for a Christian cross. But it can be worn for spirituality and as a symbol of vitality. Most major religions have some notion of the afterlife and of crossing from this life to that one. So there should be no reason not to wear jewelry that is a symbol of that. Do what you feel, boo!
Where To Buy Ankh Jewelry
Ankh cross drop earrings
IMAGE VIA MACYS
Ankh cross drop earrings
While going out and shopping is always awesome, let’s face it, you need the selection that you’ll find only online. You can look at our selection here, but you may try Etsy or Amazon as well.
Ankh Jewelry FAQs
Q. Is It Disrespectful To Wear An Ankh?
Rihana wearing ankh pendant
Rihana wearing ankh pendant
A. Egypt is an African country, and when Caucasians or folks of various cultures take inspiration from African culture, it can seem as though they’re taking something that isn’t theirs. Why not use their own culture?
Well, if you have a conviction against cultural appropriation, you probably wouldn’t want to wear an Ankh necklace or any other piece of jewelry. In that case, you won’t, and that makes sense for you. But you could look at it as a matter of looking at the various elements of culture in the world and picking those you like. So if you look at it like it’s not disrespectful, it may not come across that way. However, you may get a raised eyebrow or two.
Q. Is The Ankh Symbol Against Christianity
Egyptian ankh in catholic church