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 difference as a loop above the top bar.
The way that the Egyptian Ankh originated is described in many theories and legendary stories. Some of them describe that the Ankh is a symbolic expression of sex. A number of other theoretical facts say that the knot of Isis is shown in the form of a contemporary bow.
Hieroglyphics or the Egyptian scripts describe the Ankh symbol in detail. Some explanations give a detailed picture of the lower part of the Ankh. Actually the lower portion is partitioned to form the two ends of a bow.
After studying some very old hieroglyphic scripts, historians are of the belief that there is a division at the end of the symbol. According to them, the characteristic Isis knot of the Egyptian Ankh has a religious base.
Egyptology has not yet made a logical conclusion about the birth of the Egyptian Ankh. However, the studies don't really confuse us, as the main thing signified by the Ankh is that it symbolizes life. Therefore, in Egypt there is a depiction of many of their deities holding the Ankh symbol which means life.
A deeper meaning of the symbol reveals 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 symbolizing the "breath of life".
Historians have also been able to find numerous 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 illustrate a variant meaning of the symbol.
An unusual representation of the Ankh illustrates a continuous chain of Ankh symbols joined one to the other. They are often seen on water containers, so that the powerful quality of water is symbolized while it is poured out of the container. Several utensils used for libation during religious rituals were discovered to have the form of the Egyptian Ankh.
The form of the Ankh was used to make many of the items used in a household. This was purpose-built due to its significance in the life of ancient Egyptians. Ceremonial rites and royal festivals required the use of objects made in the form of the Egyptian Ankh. The commons only used items whose shape resembled the Ankh, or those on which the Ankh symbol was pictured. Lots of their crockery, spoons, mirrors and sistrums were of this shape.
The way that the Egyptian Ankh originated is described in many theories and legendary stories. Some of them describe that the Ankh is a symbolic expression of sex. A number of other theoretical facts say that the knot of Isis is shown in the form of a contemporary bow.
Hieroglyphics or the Egyptian scripts describe the Ankh symbol in detail. Some explanations give a detailed picture of the lower part of the Ankh. Actually the lower portion is partitioned to form the two ends of a bow.
After studying some very old hieroglyphic scripts, historians are of the belief that there is a division at the end of the symbol. According to them, the characteristic Isis knot of the Egyptian Ankh has a religious base.
Egyptology has not yet made a logical conclusion about the birth of the Egyptian Ankh. However, the studies don't really confuse us, as the main thing signified by the Ankh is that it symbolizes life. Therefore, in Egypt there is a depiction of many of their deities holding the Ankh symbol which means life.
A deeper meaning of the symbol reveals 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 symbolizing the "breath of life".
Historians have also been able to find numerous 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 illustrate a variant meaning of the symbol.
An unusual representation of the Ankh illustrates a continuous chain of Ankh symbols joined one to the other. They are often seen on water containers, so that the powerful quality of water is symbolized while it is poured out of the container. Several utensils used for libation during religious rituals were discovered to have the form of the Egyptian Ankh.
The form of the Ankh was used to make many of the items used in a household. This was purpose-built due to its significance in the life of ancient Egyptians. Ceremonial rites and royal festivals required the use of objects made in the form of the Egyptian Ankh. The commons only used items whose shape resembled the Ankh, or those on which the Ankh symbol was pictured. Lots of their crockery, spoons, mirrors and sistrums were of this shape.
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Ancient Egyptian Cartouches are nowadays seen as something quite fashionable to know about. To get a more detailed look at this and comparable topics check out our article on Ancient Egyptian Mythology.