Get Your Ankh on Egypt Tour

The Ankh is called the "Key Of Life" (in Latin, the "Crux Ansata"). It is of early Egyptian origin, possibly coming from the concept of life in the language of Ancient Kemet (land of the Blacks), which was renamed to Egypt by the Greeks. It consists of a cross surmounted by a loop arranged to resemble a key; and as such it was thought to be the key to eternal life after death. In written language it was used as the hieroglyph signifying life, health and happiness; it was also used by the early Coptic Christian church as a cross.

Many examples have been found made from a variety of materials such as metal, clay and wood. Because it was a symbol for life, the it was also associated with material things such as water, air and sunlight - the Gods are frequently pictured carrying an ankh, usually holding it by the loop section. It was often worn as an amulet to enhance the life of the living and in burial it was placed on the mummy to energize the resurrected spirit.

It has been widely used throughout Egyptian history, often included in tomb inscriptions; gods and pharaohs are usually shown holding it to distinguish them from mere mortals; and it was thought to be a powerful talisman protecting the owner from evil and the forces of decay.

Some explanations of the ankh represent the loop as feminine and the straight part as representing masculinity. These two parts then combine to form life.

Other historians propose that the circle symbolizes eternal life and the cross below it represents the material plane. Because of its powerful appeal, the ankh was used in various religious and cultural rituals involving royalty.

And in the tomb of Tutankhumun there were several ankhs of various forms included in the treasures there.

But the ever practical Egyptians find the ankh an ideal form for a real key to a real door (a fairly big door) as demonstrated by this custodian of a local shrine.