The Ankh is a recognizable sign seen as ankh charms, on decorative items, on clothing and many other places in today’s world. It is looks a little like the cross of the Christian religion but has a loop above the transverse bar. The Symbol’s beginnings are even now vague but it’s meaning is apparent. It is the Egyptian character for ‘eternal life’ and is seen in ornamental designs and on domestic objects that were left in their burial places, which were either fashioned in the shape of an ankh or decorated with this symbol.

The Origins of the Ankh

There are many speculations about the ankh’s origins from the idea that it was a bow used on ritual or religious attire, a sexual symbol or the strap of a sandal. The most prevalent theory is that it represents an elaborate knot with the lower part representing the ends of the bow, as it is often made up of two parts. The ankh is often carried in statues of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses and clearly stands for life in these images. It’s often seen being offered to a king as a symbolic ‘breath of life’ and ankhs were often seen as flowing in chains from sacred water vessels symbolising the ankh’s life giving ability. Jugs used in ceremonies for holding water were regularly fashioned in the shape of an ankh.

A Representation of Life

As a representation of life it was also used as a symbol of fertility, life in future generations. An additional name sometimes used for the ankh is the Key of the Nile where it represents the coming together of Isis and Osiris, which was thought to initiate the annual flooding of the Nile, which was so important to the Ancient Egyptians. Numerous Egyptian gods were shown with an ankh in their hands, frequently one in each hand crossed over the chest as seen in a statue of Osiris or a sceptre in one hand and an ankh in the other as Anibus, Hathor,Isis,Tefnut and several more are often seen. The ankh also stands for life in the netherworld and the dead are referred to as ankhu and neb-ankh is the name for a sarcophagus.

Household objects, especially mirrors, were frequently made in the form of an ankh and it was also the word for mirror. A gilded mirror casing was found in the tomb of Tutankhamun and sistrums (a type of musical instrument) and spoons were also made in this shape.

How We Use the Ankh in the Modern World

These days the ankh is extensively used as a decorative symbol, it’s use ranging from pop culture in the US to a representation signifying spiritual beliefs. In the 1960’s and 1970’s it was a popular sign worn by the hippies as an affirmation of life and disdain for the materialism of the times. It is connected in Gothic world with vampirism and is a present in numerous vampire films.

Whether you use an ankh for it’s purely decorative affect or for a deep, more spiritual meaning it’s a well known and prized symbol that can be found in lovely gold and silver charm jewelry, as earrings, necklaces or pendants and Egyptian ankh charms.

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