Ankh

James Washington, Jr. on Symbolism in Ancient Cultures

James Washington, Jr. on the Ankh and the Goddess Isis

James Washington, Jr. on Symbolism, Religion and Art

The ankh is the hieroglyphic symbol for life. Exactly what this shape represents is uncertain. Popular theories suggest that it may be a looped and knotted rope, an elaborate bow, a sandal strap, or the thoracic vertebrae of a bull. A very popular symbol, it was often worn as a protective charm. On stone inscriptions, the ankh can be found held to the nose of the pharaoh—in this context it means breath of life. The use of the ankh survived into the Christian (Coptic) period in Egypt as a cross.