23 Ankh Facts

The ankh, also known as the "key of life",  is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol that represents the concept of eternal life.

The ankh is often depicted as a cross with a loop at the top, and it is typically carried by gods and pharaohs in ancient Egyptian art.

The ankh was a popular amulet in ancient Egypt, and it was believed to have protective powers.

The ankh was also associated with the sun god Ra, and it was sometimes used as a symbol of the sun itself.

The ankh was often depicted in combination with other symbols, such as the djed pillar (a symbol of stability) and the was scepter (a symbol of power and authority).

The ankh was also associated with fertility and childbirth, and it was sometimes depicted being held by the goddesses Isis and Nephthys.

The ankh is often depicted in funerary scenes in ancient Egyptian art, as it was believed to provide protection and eternal life to the deceased.

The ankh is one of the most well-known symbols of ancient Egypt, and it has been adopted by various cultures around the world.

The ankh has been used as a symbol in various modern-day contexts, including in jewelry, tattoos, and as a symbol of the neo-pagan religion of Kemeticism.

The ankh is sometimes referred to as the "crux ansata," which means "cross with a handle" in Latin.

The ankh is also known as the "loop-cross," as the loop at the top is often interpreted as representing the sun or the heavens.

The ankh is typically depicted as being held in the left hand, which was associated with the heart in ancient Egyptian mythology.

The ankh is often depicted in gold or other precious materials in ancient Egyptian art, as it was considered a symbol of wealth and power.

The ankh is sometimes depicted with wings, which may symbolize the concept of eternal life or the power of the gods.

The ankh is also associated with the goddess Ma'at, who was the personification of truth, justice, and order in ancient Egyptian mythology.

The ankh is sometimes depicted with the head of a bird or other animal, which may symbolize the connection between the earthly and the divine.

The ankh is also associated with the Nile River, which was a source of life and fertility in ancient Egypt.

The ankh is sometimes depicted with other symbols, such as the Eye of Horus or the Scarab Beetle, which were also believed to have protective powers.

The ankh is sometimes depicted with the body of a human, which may symbolize the concept of resurrection or the journey of the soul to the afterlife.

The ankh is often depicted with a loop at the top that is open, which may symbolize the concept of infinity or the endlessness of the afterlife.

The ankh is sometimes depicted with a loop that is closed, which may symbolize the concept of unity or the connection between different aspects of the self.

The ankh is often depicted with a handle that is curved, which may symbolize the concept of movement or the passage of time.

The ankh is sometimes depicted with a handle that is straight, which may symbolize the concept of stability or the balance of the universe.