The symbol of the ankh meant “life” and was often used as an amulet, as a symbolic representation of both physical and eternal life. The Ankh symbolized life, immortality and reincarnation.

The Gods of Ancient Egypt Index

Egyptian Symbols & Signs

Facts about the ancient Egyptian Ankh
The Ankh was an ancient Egyptian hieroglyph and its icon is depicted in art, artefacts, relics. Examples of the icon can be found in the tombs, temples and manuscripts of the ancient Egyptians. The gods were endowed with divine, eternal life and could bestow it upon the mortals. Look at the top of the page, and the other images contained in this, and other articles on ancient Egypt, and you will see many depictions of the Ankh.

The Ankh Fact File

Name: The Ankh was also known in Latin as 'crux ansata' and the "eyed" cross, the Key of the Nile

Description & Definition: Description & Definition: It is described as a cross with a handle

Materials: The materials used to make a Ankh varied but could be constructed from stone, wood, ebony, ivory or precious metals such as gold, and less frequently silver

Significance: The sacred icon was depicted in royal funerary scenes and reinforced the close connection between the pharaohs and the gods in whose name he ruled and to whom he returned after death

Symbol: The Ankh was was one of the most potent symbols of ancient Egypt symbolizing physical life, eternal life, immortality and reincarnation

Fetish: The Ankh was believed to be a fetish, an object that was believed to embody magical powers and offer magical protection

Facts about the Ankh in Egyptian Mythology and History
Discover interesting information and research facts about the Ankh, the iconic Egyptian symbol. The facts about the Ankh provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about the Ankh in Egyptian Mythology and history.

Facts about the Ankh from Mythology and Egyptian History

Fact 1: It was associated with life after death and the dead were sometimes referred to as "ankhu"

Fact 2: A term for a sarcophagus was neb-ankh which meant possessor of life

Fact 3: Mirrors were used for purposes of divination in Ancient Egypt as life and death were believed to mirror each other. Many ancient Egyptian mirrors were therefore shaped in the form of an ankh sign.

Fact 4: The sign of the ankh was also used to symbolize water in ceremonies and rituals relating to purification

Fact 5: Many depictions of the icon showed Egyptian gods and goddesses holding the ankh in front of the face of a Pharaoh to symbolize the breath of eternal life.

Fact 6: Theories on the origins of this famous icon are numerous and range from sexual symbolism to the common sandal strap

Fact 7: Early examples of the ankh show the end vertical sections separated

Facts about the Ankh from Mythology and Egyptian History

The Ankh - Symbol of Life
The Ankh was a symbol of physical life, eternal life, immortality and reincarnation and formed part of the part of the regalia depicted in ancient Egyptian funeral scenes and held by various Gods and Goddesses such as Anubis, Osiris, Ra, Isis, Ptah, Sobek, Tefnut and Hathor and the judge deities of the Underworld. The significance is that they command the powers of life and death and that they are immortal. Anubis, the god of the dead, is depicted with various symbols of power and authority including the Ankh. The ankh is commonly displayed in association with the Was Sceptre and the djed column.

• The Was Sceptre: The Was Sceptre was a long rod or staff that symbolized divine power and was an emblem of authority
• The Djed Pillar‎: The Djed column was a pillar-like symbol used in in hieroglyphics representing stability

The Ankh - Symbolism of the Icon
The sign or icon was symbolic of:

• The Sunrise: The loop represented the Sun rising above the horizon, which is represented by the crossbar
• The vertical section, below the crossbar, symbolized the path of the sun