the ankh
The ankh is one of the best known symbols of Ancient Egypt. It was originally the symbol as well as the actual hieroglyph of life. Now, it is linked to good luck, and happiness throughout life.
A theory about the shape is that the ankh symbolised the sunrise, with the loop showing the Sun rising above the horizon, which is represented by the crossbar. The vertical section below the crossbar is the path of the sun. It is also theorised that the ankh is connected to the tyet emblem, or the "knot of Isis". Both could have been ties for ceremonial robes. The ankh has also been associated with the royal cartouche that king's name was written on. |
The gods of Egypt are often depicted with ankh signs. Anqet, Ptah, Satet, Sobek, Tefnut, Osiris, Ra, Isis, Hathor, Anubis and many others hold ankh signs, usually shown holding it in front of the pharaoh to symbolize the breath of eternal life. This means the ankh sign is not only a symbol of first life, but of life in the underworld. Because of this, the dead were referred to as ankhu, and a term for a sarcophagus was neb-ankh, meaning possessor of life. The idea of eternal life being symbolised by the ankh makes it a common symbol in vampire mythology.
What is most interesting about the ankh is that the same word was used for mirrors after the Middle Kingdom and many mirrors were shaped like an ankh sign. This may be because Egyptians believed life and death mirror each other.
When Christianity took over from Egypt's pagan religion, the sign was adapted to be a unique form of a cross by the Coptic church, known as the crux ansata.
• http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/ankh.htm
What is most interesting about the ankh is that the same word was used for mirrors after the Middle Kingdom and many mirrors were shaped like an ankh sign. This may be because Egyptians believed life and death mirror each other.
When Christianity took over from Egypt's pagan religion, the sign was adapted to be a unique form of a cross by the Coptic church, known as the crux ansata.
• http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/ankh.htm