ANKH HISTORY

The Ankh is a symbolic representation of Everlasting Life. It is also known as “The Original Cross”, which is a powerful symbol that was first created by Africans in Ancient Egypt.

The Ankh combines two symbols, the cross (life) and the circle (eternity), thus together they represent immortality. The loop of the ankh is considered to be the feminine, while the T shape is considered to be the masculine. These two figures then come together and form life and reflect a continued existence.

These sacred units also represent the male and female symbols of the two principal Egyptian deities, Osiris and Isis, thus symbolizing the union of Heaven and Earth.

As a symbol for the power to give and sustain life, the ankh is typically associated with material things such as water (which was believed by Egyptians to regenerate life), air, or the sun, as well as with the gods, who are frequently pictured carrying an ankh. We find Anqet, Ptah, Satet, Sobek, Tefnut, Osiris, Ra, Isis, Hathor, Anibus and many other gods often holding the ankh sign, along with a scepter, and in various tomb and temple reliefs, placing it in front of the king's face to symbolize the breath of eternal life.

Because of this belief in eternal life, Egyptians wore the ankh as an amulet to prolong life on earth, and were buried with it to ensure their "life to come" in the afterworld.