A Brief Insight Into North African Ankhs

By Gamal Rasheed


The symbol of the old Egyptian Ankh is one of the most common hieroglyphics from the history of Egypt. When it comes to its appearance it is similar to the symbol of the cross that is supposed to represent Christianity with the only distinction being a loop above the top bar.

The origin of the popular Egyptian Ankh is explained through lots of legendary tales and philosophical theories. Even though a few describe that it represents sex, other theories explain that it depicts an elaborate bow tied up like the knot of Isis.

Many ancient hieroglyphics provide a very detailed interpretation of the symbol of the Ankh. Some of them clearly go to show that the lower section of the symbol is actually made up of two parts and these two parts are the end of a bow.

A study of the oldest scripts of hieroglyphics shows that the Egyptian Ankh is divided from the end portion. Egyptologists, after looking up the origin of the knot-like form of the Ankh, suppose that it shows a religious sign.

Historians involved in the study of Egyptian scripts are yet to draw a correct idea regarding the origin of the Ankh, however their analysis does not confound the learner. It is significant to mention that the Egyptian Ankh is symbolic of life. That could be the reason behind many of the Egyptian deities' pictures with the Ankh held in their hands.

A much deeper meaning of the symbol shows that it may really be representing life-giving elements like water and air. In many hieroglyphics the symbol of the Ankh is shown being presented upon the lips of the King thereby representing the "breath of life".

Historians have also been able to find a number of anthropomorphic pictures from ancient Egypt. In these pictures the ankh is displayed with an ostrich feather fan which is composed as the backdrop of the picture with the Pharaoh in front of it. This kind of pictures depict a variant meaning of the symbol.

An uncommon representation of the Ankh illustrates a continuous chain of Ankh symbols joined to one another. They can be seen on water containers, so that the powerful quality of water is symbolized while it is poured out of the container. Many utensils used for libation during religious rituals were discovered to have the form of the Egyptian Ankh.

The value of this particular symbol can be seen in the fact that many different everyday use objects were purposely created in the form of the symbol. This included all sorts of items including those that were typically used in royal and religious ceremonies whereas on the other hand the common man would also have a number of items either made in the shape of the symbol or carrying a pattern or print of the symbol. The list of items that were commonly seen in the shape of the Ankh symbol included mirrors, sistrums, spoons and other crockery items.




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