The ankh symbol comes from the Egyptian hieroglyph meaning “life”. It is also known as the key of life, the key of the Nile, the Egyptian cross, the cross of life and the ”crux ansata” (cross with a handle).
It is often seen in the hands of Gods and on tomb decorations they are frequently shown gifting an ankh to the deceased. This may symbolize rebirth or the act of conception.
Ancient Egyptians would carry the ankh alone or in conjunction with the Djed and was as an amulet.
It retains its popularity among NeoPagans as a symbol for life, rebirth and a gateway to the afterlife, underworld and other realms. Scrying mirrors are often made in the shape of an ankh.
It is very similar to the symbol of Venus.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
The Ankh, an ancient Egyptian symbol resembling a cross with a loop at the top, is often referred to as the “key of life” or “breath of life.”
Spiritually, it represents eternal life, immortality, and the union of male and female energies.
Symbolically, the Ankh is associated with the gods of ancient Egypt, particularly Osiris and Isis, and is seen as a powerful amulet for protection and vitality.
Its shape, combining the cross and the loop, signifies the interconnectedness of life and the divine, bridging the earthly and the spiritual realms.
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Its role in Egyptian culture
The key to life had a very important role in Egyptian culture, for some it represents the gift of life and immortality. The term ankh literally means “life”, “key of Isis” or “key to the great mysteries”.
Talisman of undoubted value, it was held by the pharaohs during ceremonies. If we compare the shape of the key of life with today’s medical knowledge, the Ankh represents an amplifier of the pineal gland.
| Time Period | Culture/Region | Use | Source/Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ancient Egypt | Egypt | Symbol of life, used in art, amulets, and religious ceremonies. | Tomb inscriptions, temple carvings, and the Book of the Dead. |
| Greco-Roman Period | Egypt and Mediterranean | Adopted into Greco-Roman culture, seen in art and jewelry. | Archaeological findings, writings of Herodotus. |
| Modern Neo-Paganism | Global | Symbol of eternal life and spiritual wisdom, used in rituals and jewelry. | Contemporary Pagan literature, online forums, and books on modern witchcraft. |
Spiritual meaning of Ankh
From an esoteric/spiritual point of view, the pineal gland represents the famous “third eye”, or the eye of the Soul. If we place the key of life on the face we notice how the handle coincides with the third eye, while the arms of the cross cover the eyes and mouth.
On display at the Victoria and Albert Museum Museum.
Here the key to life becomes a necessary tool to evolve and grow spiritually. The key to life allows us to “see” with the Soul, covering the other senses that distract us from the reality around us. The name key of life itself could be a metaphor for a “key” that opens the door to a new vision of existence that leads to higher awareness.
| Interpretation | Description | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Eternal Life | Represents the concept of life beyond death, eternal existence. | Used in rituals and meditations focused on immortality and the soul’s journey. |
| Divine Protection | Seen as a protective symbol, often worn as an amulet. | Carried or worn for spiritual protection and to invoke divine blessings. |
| Union of Opposites | Symbolizes the balance and unity of male and female, life and death. | Employed in ceremonies and spells to harmonize and balance opposing forces. |
Astronomical meaning of Ankh
The key to life for some has astronomical significance. If we look carefully at the key to life it is possible to identify the representation of the rising of the Sun (bend), the horizon (the horizontal line) and the light of the Sun that is projected onto the earth.
In this theory the key to life represents the path of the Sun, that is, the vertical line below the horizon.
Toth was the god who invented writing and keeper of the movements of the sky.
Son of Ra was the god of the Moon, wisdom, writing, magic and the measurement of time.
The Egyptians depicted him with the head of an Ibis, whose beak resembles a crescent moon. The mystery surrounding him is due to the 42 books he wrote and hid on earth. One of these states:
…we came to the land of the children of KHEM.
Going into a rage, they came with clubs and spears, raised in the rage of those who seek to kill and destroy the Children of Atlantis.
Then I personally rose up and directed a beam of vibration, hitting them until they scattered like fragments of mountain stone.
Terrified by my display of magical science, they lay prone at my feet, until I released them.
| Component | Description | Symbolic Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Loop (Oval or Circle) | The upper part of the ankh, often seen as a loop or teardrop shape. | Represents the eternal soul, immortality, and the afterlife. |
| Crossbar (Horizontal Line) | The horizontal line that intersects the stem of the ankh. | Symbolizes the connection between the physical and spiritual realms. |
| Stem (Vertical Line) | The elongated vertical line extending down from the crossbar. | Represents physical life and earthly existence. |
Cross of life
Many Egyptian gods are depicted with the key of life in their hand or on their chest.
In each of these hieroglyphics the Ankh represents eternal life.
The cross of life could be an amulet to “cross the threshold” and gain access to the kingdom of the dead. A necklace to move between the two kingdoms then? Perhaps the key to life is a symbolic code to define the death of man as a material and physical being and the consequent rebirth of his Soul.
When Christianity encountered Egyptian civilization it attempted in every way to eradicate the symbol of the key to life. As in the case of the Oak, the attempt was to assimilate the symbol into one’s own religion in order to make it more peacefully accepted by the masses.
You cannot have missed the similarity of the key of life to the Roman cross. In Christianity we find the symbolism mentioned previously, Christ dies on the cross and abandons his material body, to then be reborn in a new form.
Ankh over the centuries among different cultures
The symbol of the Ankh remained alive in Egyptian culture until the arrival of Christianity, when all symbols belonging to the sphere of a religious culture considered pagan were repressed.
Its deep roots in the history of the ancient kingdoms, however, allowed the Ankh cross to maintain a certain importance, ending up being assimilated by the Coptic Orthodox church and adopted as a symbol of Coptic Christianity, given its similarity to the Christian cross, but above all the total absence to any zoomorphic and anthropomorphic reference that could identify it with an ancient pagan religion.
Ankh symbol today
Today the Ankh cross is recognized in Egyptian symbolism, and not only, as a symbol of life, the universe, reincarnation and the meeting between the spiritual world and the earthly world. Together with the Tree of Life they are the two symbols that universally celebrate existence and the need for communication and connection with life.
The ankh cross is considered among the Egyptian lucky symbols such as the scarab or the eye of Horus
Why should I wear an Ankh cross necklace?
The Ankh cross can be purchased in different materials but it is worth knowing that the ancient Egyptians used sycamore wood, semiprecious stones, jasper, opaque red quartz and that there was often a mirror in the handle.
The cross can be worn around the neck and it seems that by placing it on the forehead when you are particularly tired or a little melancholy or stressed, it can bring benefits. Furthermore, the two sides of the cross can be “charged” by the energy of the Sun and the Moon, this means that different areas of the body are stimulated.
For example, the part exposed to the Moon allows you to stimulate imagination and fantasy and helps fight anxiety and depression, while the part exposed to the influence of the Sun helps to revitalize the body.
Conclusion
Ankh is a great symbol to work with to honor life and embrace its history and lore. Use it with intention and respect for amazing results.
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