Here’s What The Kemetian (Egyptian)
‘Ankh Symbol’ Means
Exploring the meaning behind this ancient Kemetian symbol is a way of living powerfully.
The Ankh (unk) is an iconic symbol dating back to more than 100,000 BC, which was over 105,000 years ago.
The big question is, what does the ankh mean? Why did ancient Kemet people use this symbol? What is the symbolism behind the ankh? Should I wear the Ankh symbol?
Decoding the symbolism of an object from a culture and civilization that lived over 15,000 years ago is not easy. That’s what makes the ankh so fascinating to millions today.
In this article we find the truth behind the meaning of the Ankh. Let’s Dive In.
Origin And History of The Ankh Symbol
The Ancient KMT cross, commonly known as the Ankh, is originally thought to be a hieroglyph used to represent the word “life”. So, the ankh became known as the “symbol of life”.
Unlike the known origin of the Eye of Heru and the Wajet, what is known for sure, is that the “key of life” or the “cross of life”, as the ankh is commonly referred to, dates all the way back to the Earliest Dynasty in Ancient Kemet.
The oldest depictions of the ancient Ankh symbol were found in tombs where gods, such as Auset and Ausar, are depicted carrying the Ankh symbol in their fists by their sides. Because of the depictions of the Ankh being associated with Shiekam (kings), Neteru (gods/Natural Forces and principles), and birth, the Ankh has long been associated with “eternal life”, ”afterlife”, Neteru, Shekum, the Sheps, Aku, and the Royal Family.
The one meaning for the Ankh that stands out, and has clearly stood the test of time, is the well-established powerful symbol for “eternal life”.
What is the Meaning of Ankh Symbol and What Does It Symbolize?
(The Ankh in Ancient Kemetian Culture)
Changing Meanings –
When we think of ancient Egypt, we often think of King Tut, Cleopatra, Auset, Ausar, Heru, Pharaoh Rameses, The Great Pyramids, and The Great Sphinx.
These are the most iconic ancient Kemetian figure heads.
For example, Cleopatra lived closer to our time, than she did to the construction of the pyramids.
The point is, the meaning of the ankh symbol changed over time. Although universally seen as a symbol of life and divine power as the Ankh is portrayed most often being held by Ancient Kemet Neteru, carrying it by its loop.
Here’s all the meaning of the Ankh as it changed over time.
The Ankh as the Ancient Kemetian Symbol of Life –
Above all else, the ankh symbol was believed to be the ancient ‘symbol of life’, and the Neteru’s promise of prosperity in the eternal life after death.
The symbol is also an Ancient hieroglyph which represents 'NH (ankh) meaning “life” or “breath of life”. The glyph appears in an incredible number of inscriptions and was often used as a decorative device. Many of the gods of Kemet are depicted bearing an Ankh to represent their vivacity and immortality. Occasionally, the Neteru (God (or Goddess) extends the Ankh to the Shekhem (King) to anoint him, restore, and advise him, indicating both the gift of life and the purification of the subject.
The Ankh’s Spiritual Meaning – Funeral Context –
In Kemetian hieroglyphics the Neteru and Shekhem are often shown holding an ankh either by their side or holding an ankh up to the face of a god or another royal.
According to Egyptologists, these hieroglyphics reflect the mentality of ancient Kemetians, that death was merely a transition to the afterlife…, to the eternal life of Amenta. To ensure a safe passage to the afterlife, KMT funerary would place the ankh in sarcophagi which meant that the deceased mummy would be able to resurrect safely and live happily in the afterlife.
Because the symbol is often found on the sarcophagus of pharaoh, many archeologists believe that the ankh may also symbolically represent the union between heaven and earth.
The Ankh Represented by the Sun and the Earth –
Professor of Philosophy Joshua J. Mark writes for WorldHistory.org that –
“the ankh represents the sun setting over the horizon, and the union of heaven and earth. This association with the sun means that the ankh is traditionally drawn in gold – the color of the sun – and never in silver, which relates to the moon.”
Author and Egyptologist Dr. Michael Poe believes he’s found evidence that the round oval or “loop” of the ankh represented the Sun rising above, but not quite above the horizon. The horizontal crossbar represents the horizon. And the vertical section below the crossbar is the “Path of the Sun” or reflection of the sun in the water of the Nile river.
If you look at the picture of the setting sun, this could make sense.
Dr. Poe has proposed that the ankh’s horizontal ‘crossbar’ symbolizes the sunrise and sunset (life and death, east and west). He believes the ankh represents the path of birth, life, and death. It
Others experts agree to say that the ankh may represent the sun, as the sun is the ultimate provider of life.
The Ankh & The Egyptian Goddess Auset –
In the origin story of Ancient Kemetian Mythology, the all-powerful Shekem Ausar is killed by his evil (and jealous) brother Set. Set (also referred to as Seth) dismembers Ausar's body so that his soul cannot travel to the afterlife.
However, Ausar’s Sister wife Auset, Resurrected his body, and was able to conceive a child, long before Set recovered, Ausar then divided his body parts and spread his pieces across the planet. . Auset collected Ausar’s body parts and put them back together. This way that Osiris could, at least, still rule the underworld.
The association of the ankh with the powerful goddess Auset tied it to a greater meaning. The Ankh was linked specifically with Auset, who could save one’s soul and provide for them in the afterlife. Thus the ankh’s symbolism of protection in the life after death in Amenta.
Many of the Neteru of Egypt are shown etched in stone hieroglyphs holding the ankh, but the goddess Auset is shown holding the Ankh more often than most. Egyptologists believe that the ankh either came from, or is directly related to, the tjet or tyet, which is a symbol for both protection and fertility.
The Ankh and the Tyet –
The Tyet is an ancient Egyptian symbol which (similar to the ankh) also dates back at least 15,000 years ago to the earliest dynasties. Sometimes called the “knot of Auset”, the Tyet is almost the same shape as the Ankh, except with the “arms” folded in, instead of projected outward like the Ankh symbol does.
It is unsure if the Tyet was originally connected to Auset in the early kingdom, but by the time of the New Kingdom of Egypt (1550–1070 BC) both the Tyet and ankh were directly connected with Auset.
Egyptologist E. A. Wallis Budge (who died in the 1930’s) believed that the ankh (and possibly the tyet) may have originated as the belt-buckle or even sandal of the goddess Isis.
More commonly, the tyet, similar to the ankh, is seen as a symbol for Isis or for life.
Ankh Symbol – Divine Royalty –
Aside from Auset, the ankh has long been associated with the divine. Almost 2,000 years after the Ankh was first known to originate, it was still being used.
During the New Kingdom Dynasty (which ranged from 1,570 – 1,069 BC), the ankh became associated with the god Amen-Ra and divine royalty. The ankh became what we call today “mainstream” during this timeframe, and was regularly used as a sacred symbol.
It was during the New Kingdom Dynasty, that the greatest (and most famous) pharaoh of the time period, Ramesses II (1279 – 1213 BC) used the ankh regularly in hieroglyphics. From here on the ankh would be used throughout the remainder of Kemtian history.
The Ankh as a Symbolic Mirror –
During the age of the ‘Middle Kingdom’ (2,040-1,782 BC) the word “nkh” was used as the word for mirror. As a result, a number of ‘hand-mirrors’ were crafted in the shape of the ankh. Including an ankh mirror that was found in the tomb of King Tut (Tutankhamun).
It seems doubtful that the ankh originally represented a mirror, and more likely that mirrors were made to reflect the sacred symbol’s likeliness.
Egyptologist and 19th century author Victor Loret, argued that a “mirror” was the ankh’s original meaning. However, a clear problem with this argument, which Mr. Loret himself would later acknowledge, is that Neteru and Shakham alike are frequently depicted in hieroglyphs holding the ankh by its loop (with their hands passing through the loop) which is where the solid reflecting surface of the mirror would be.
The Ankh – Fertility –Female Sexual Meaning –
One explanation for the shape of the ankh is that it represents the female genitalia and vortex of the universe as the Pregnant Woman. The ring of the ankh is a 2 dimensional slice of Uterus, Fallopian tubes, and the Vaginal canal…
The ankh has been said to represent the ““union”” of man and woman which symbolizes the creation of life through this “”union””, yet in multiple cultures, circular symbols have long represented feminine energy, while linear symbols have long represented masculine energy. In the case of the Ankh, the loop, and tail, represents the female reproductive organs.
Ankh And Christianity – Should I Wear the Ankh If I’m Christian? –
In general, the ankh will always be associated with life in KMT. There are no negative connotations to wearing the Ankh if you’re Christian, so feel free to wear the symbol.
Ankh Vs. The Christian Cross –
Recorded history aside…, since the ankh and Kemetic Spirituality has been around for over 23,000 years before the start of Christianity, it’s hard to imagine that the ankh did not have, at least some, influence on the Christian cross – Especially given the resemblance!
History tells us that the oldest Christians in the Middle East, the Coptic Christians of Egypt, borrowed the ankh as their own. According to the World History Encyclopedia, the ankh’s already famous association with the afterlife made it an especially potent and well-known symbol for the Coptic faith to adopt.
Because the ankh cross was already an established ‘symbol of life’, it made it relatively easy to become assimilated into the early Christian religion.
Meaning Of the Ankh in Modern Times
The true original meaning of the ancient KMT ankh may have been lost in the ‘sands of time, only for us to figure it out at some point in the future. But today, the ankh still holds meaning.
It is still a globally recognized ancient symbol. If you were to show the ankh to any random person on the street and ask them what it means, they probably wouldn’t know, but they would identify the ankh with the ancient Kemetian culture.
In today’s modern age, the ankh represents the ancient Kemetian civilization as a whole. It’s a reminder of an advanced civilization that not only lived, but thrived 5,000 years before the internet, iphone, or social media.
In the 1960’s and 1970’s the semi-forgotten ankh symbol was “brought back to life” so to speak by the modern religion called Kemetism ( also called Egyptian Neopaganism). The social climate in the 1960’s and 70’s brought about a new wave of free expression and religious awakening. In the early 70’s The Ankh was the symbol for Black Family and Black Unity. Yet, even Elvis Presley wore an ankh necklace.
Ankh Jewelry Today –
The ankh is commonly seen in all sorts of jewelry from rings, to earrings, to chains & necklaces. Originally the ankh was only cast in gold or copper to symbolize it’s connection with the sun. But today that concept has been thrown out the window as the ankh can now be found in any medium.
Conclusion: What Does The Kemetian Ankh Symbolize
The exact origin of the ankh’s original meaning, as depicted in ancient hieroglyphs, is still unknown. It is clear that the ankh had deep spiritual, religious, philosophical, and divine properties and likely took on multiple meanings depending on the context.
These are the current leading symbolic meanings
- The Sun Coming Over The Horizon
- The Union Of Heaven And Earth
- The Symbol of Pregnant mother
- A Symbol of Life
- A Symbol of Protection In The Afterlife
After 5,000 years of symbolism, the ankh today has evolved into a symbol of a once great civilization, that in many ways may have been more advanced in their understanding of the universe, and our place as humans within it.
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