Ankh Egyptian Key of Life
The Ankh or Key of Life is one of the oldest symbols of ancient Egypt together with the Eye of Horus, the Scarab, and the Died Pillar. Key of life or Ankh is known in ancient Egypt since the Early dynastic Period and it continued as an important sign during the Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New kingdom especially during the Amarna era. Unfortunately, King Horemheb did his best to erase everything relate to Akhenaten and his era from the Egyptian history. Later on, the Ankh became the Christian cross and it is worn by Christians.
The Ankh played rule in life and after life in ancient times and we will discuss some of the meaning plus the spiritual meaning of the Ankh nowadays.
Names of the Ankh
- Key of Life
- Key of the Nile
The Origin of Ankh
The origin of the Ankh is not known till now but it was found on the walls on the Pharaonic tombs and Nobles tombs since the beginning of the ancient Egyptian history.
How the Ankh looks like
We have many opinions concerning how it looks like
According to some the Ankh is like parts, bottom part like the letter T-shape and the upper part ends with a loop.
Others believe that the long part representing the Nile River and the circle at the top representing the Delta in the north of Egypt
Third opinion think that the Ankh sign is very similar to the sandal strap with the top loop going around one’s feet
Fourth opinion it is representing the knot of Isis when she was pregnant to cover her belly so Seth won’t know and kill the baby as he killed the dad Osiris.
Fifth may the vertical part of the Ankh sign representing the male organ and the loop represent the female genitalia
Sixth the loop is the sun and the letter T is the earth
Meaning of the Ankh sign
Putting in mind all the above figures, so the Ankh gives many meanings. For example, happiness, fertility, long life, prosperity, and the union between heaven and earth.
Where can we see the Ankh?
Almost everywhere you go in Egypt, you can see the ankh as a design on the walls of the Pharaonic temples and Pharaonic tombs. Meanwhile, we found real Ankh signs as amulets made out of wood, metal, terracotta and gold sometimes.
Ankh in the Egyptian Mythology
The Ankh was the sign of the God Ra, and it was used to open the doors of the underworld. Ancient Egyptians believed in life after death and it was very important for them after mummification to go to the world of Osiris underground.
Isis and the Ankh
In the Egyptian Mythology they talk about the Cult of Osiris and the Cult of Isis. After Seth killed his brother Osiris and scattered his 14 pieces everywhere in Egypt. The loyal Isis with the help of her sister Nephthys collected the pieces and helped Osiris to be a life again for a while.
Since then, Isis became more popular and the most powerful goddess. The Ankh was the way how she helps people to be a life again. Since then, the Ankh was connected to her more than Anubis for example.
The Key of Life and the Christianity
Christianity was introduced to Egypt in 41 ADS during the Roman era and the new believers were persecuted by the Roman emperor. They escaped and lived in the desert, tombs and temples everywhere in Egypt till the 4th century. The Coptic church chose the ankh as a form of the Christian cross representing eternal life through Christ.
Ankh Spiritual Meaning
One of many spiritual meanings of the Ankh is the long life. So, giving the Ankh to anybody means you wish him or her long life and divine life. Another meaning of the Key of Life is balance, the loop is the spiritual part and the long stick the material life. To be healthy, Happy you need always to keep that balance between your good and bad side.
Moreover, protection from evil spirits and healing power for every sickness. Also, means fertility as the Key represents the sexual intercourse between both man and wife to have a baby.
Some places where you can see the Key of Life sign
- Some statutes at the Egyptian Museum taking the Osiris form and holding the Key in their hands.
- Abydos temple where you can see the gods offering the Key of life to the nose of Seti first giving him life
- Anubis and Isis always holding the Key
- On the walls on the Trajan gate in Dendera temple, we can see the Ankh, the Was, and the Nub sign
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