Ancient Egypt Ankh was the religious “Symbol of life“. The symbol is the actual Hieroglyphic sign and an enduring icon which is existent even today as a Christian cross. Many Egyptian Gods and deities are depicted bearing an Ankh to represent their vivacity and immortality. Occasionally the god (or goddess) extends the Ankh to the Pharaoh for magical protection indicating both the gift of life and the purification of the subject.

Meaning of Ancient Egypt Ankh Symbol

Many theories and legends are prevalent regarding the origin of the Egyptian Ankh symbol. According to an ancient theory, the Ankh was in the form of a key and was symbolic to the sunrise. In the symbol key, the loop representing the Sun rising above the horizon that is represented by the crossbar. The path of the sun would then be the vertical section below the crossbar. Some theories say Ankh was a symbol of the key that turned on the annual flooding of the River Nile whereas some say it is the key to eternal life.

Some theories suggest the Ankh as the manifestation of sexual symbolism. This becomes clear with the design of the Ankh where the elongated section represents the masculine discipline while the Loop of the Ankh represents the feminine discipline. But nobody knows for sure which theory is true.

Ancient Ankh Symbol of Life

In its essence, this ancient Egyptian symbol meant to represent eternal life. This is the reason why many ancient Egyptian deities have been depicted carrying the symbol of the Ankh in their hands representing life. In the Early Dynastic Period, the loop of the Ankh is held by the deities and Gods, often associated with famous Isis and Osiris.

Another unique way wherein a number of Ankh symbols are consecutively linked to each other and in which the symbol has been represented in the form of chains. Such patterns are commonly depicted symbolizing the power of water on water vessels through which water is being poured.

The Ankh symbol is also an Ancient Egyptian hieroglyph sign which represents the hieroglyph ´nh (ankh) meaning “life” or “breath of life”. This hieroglyph appears in an incredible number of inscriptions and ancient Egyptians often used this glyph as a decorative device.