The Egyptian ankh is a familiar emblem seen as ankh charms, on decorative items, on T shirts and countless other places in today's world. It is similar in appearance to the cross of the Christian religion with a loop above the transverse bar. The ankh's beginnings are even now ambiguous but it's meaning is unmistakable. It is the Egyptian symbol for 'eternal life' and is seen in ornamental designs and on household objects found in their burial places, which were either shaped as an ankh or adorned with this symbol.
The Origins of the Ankh
There are several speculations regarding the ankh's origins from the idea that it was a bow used on ritual or sacred attire, a sexual symbol or the strap of a sandal. The most popular theory is that it represents an elaborate bow with the lower section depicting the tails of the bow, as it is usually made up of two pieces. The ankh is carried in statues of Egyptian gods and clearly stands for life in these depictions. It is repeatedly seen being offered to a king as a figurative 'breath of life' and ankhs were frequently shown as flowing in chains from libation vessels also as a symbol the ankh's regenerative abilities. Vessels used as water containers in religious ceremonies were time and again fashioned in the form of an ankh.
A Representation of Life
As a representation of life it was also used as a symbol of fecundity, life in the generations to come. An additional name for the ankh is the Key of the Nile and as such represents the unification of Isis and Osiris, which was believed to initiate the yearly flooding of the Nile, which was so essential to the Ancient Egyptians. Many Egyptian gods were depicted with an ankh in their hands, frequently one in each hand crossed over the chest as seen in a statue of Osiris or an ankh in one hand and a scepter in the other as Sobek, Tefnut, Hathor, Anibus and Isis and several more are frequently seen. The ankh also represents life in the netherworld and the dead may be referred to as ankhu and neb-ankh is the name for a sarcophagus.
Mirrors and many other household objects, were frequently made in the shape of an ankh in fact ankh was the word for mirror. A mirror casing was found in the Tutankhamun's tomb and sistrums (a type of musical instrument) and even spoons were also made in this form.
How We Use the Ankh in Today's World
These days the ankh is extensively used as a decorative symbol, it's use ranging from pop culture in America to an image depicting spiritual beliefs. In the 1960' to 1970's it was a popular sign used by the hippies as an affirmation of life and scorn for the greediness of the times. It is connected in the Goth subculture with vampirism and is a present in many films about vampires.
Whether you display an ankh for only it's decorative affect or for a deeper, spiritual meaning it's a well known and treasured symbol that can be seen in lovely charm jewelry, as bracelets, earrings, pendants and Egyptian ankh charms.
