Egyptian culture is characterized by an amazing relationship between word and image. Hieroglyphic writing has become a symbolic system that brings the patronage of the gods, knowledge and protection. Many powerful amulets were closely associated with this letter; among them is the famous symbol of the life of the ankh. As a hieroglyph, this sign means "life", but as a symbol it indicates immortality. It unites the cross, a symbol of life, and a circle, a symbol of eternity, together they denote eternal life. And, nevertheless, the ankh is something incomparably more than just a symbol of life, since it is associated with the transformation of ordinary life processes. Its form can be seen as a combination of male and female symbols, Osiris and Isis, as a union of earthly and heavenly. "Ankh is another form of Venus (Isis) + and means, esoterically, that humanity and all animal life came out of the divine, spiritual circle, and a fall into physical male and female generation took place" (H.P. Blavatsky, "The Secret Doctrine") ...

This sign can represent a magical bond that unites all things into a single Knot of Isis, the Goddess of Love and Life, who, according to the myth that has come down to us, connected the scattered parts of her divine consort Osiris, symbolizing Mystery. In the same way, a person joins the higher knowledge, developing his will, making efforts to unite with his higher, genuine “I”, where the consciousness of his own immortality lives.

Its shape can be interpreted as the rising sun, and also as a key (one of its names is “the key of life” or “the key of the Nile”). Ankh is a magical symbol of wisdom gained as a result of initiation, the key to secret knowledge, strength, power.

Associated with the concept of eternal life, the ankh was widely used by Egyptian artists and is found on all kinds of art monuments. "The Ankh is the most sacred cross of the Egyptians - a sign of life, living, oath, covenant held in the hands of their Gods, pharaohs and mummies of the dead" (H. P. Blavatsky). All gods were depicted with this sign in their right hand; the life of any creature, both divine and mortal, depended on its possession. The gods bestowed this sign on kings and souls, who were justified in the Hall of Judgment - and the one who acquired it lived for "one hundred thousand million years."

As a symbol of inexhaustible vitality, the ankh sign was applied to the walls of temples, to monuments and utensils. The Egyptians depicted ankh on amulets in order to prolong life on earth; they were buried with this amulet, confident that life in another world awaits the departed. There was an idea that this is what the key looks like, which can open the gates of death. The ankh was associated with air and water as elements of life. With air - in the context of the idea of \u200b\u200bthe "breath of life" that the gods give to humanity through the king. In sculptural images, the gods bring this symbol to the king's nose, or (on the reliefs) the anthropomorphic sign of life itself carries a fan behind the king, sweeping him around and giving him eternal life. There are images in which sacred water in the form of miniature signs of life flows down onto the king from the vessels of Horus and Thoth during the rite of purification. The shape of an ankh was sometimes given to vessels for libations. From such vessels Isis, Nephthys, Thoth and Anubis wash the deceased with water that brings him revival. The magical power of the life sign passed into a liquid that was poured into this vessel. Finally, the form of the sign of eternal life was often given to a variety of offerings intended for the souls of the departed, ranging from loaves to bouquets of lotuses and papyri.

The Ankh cross is an ancient Egyptian symbol. It consists of two parts. The bottom, two crossed lines, is a symbol of life. The upper part, an oval loop, speaks of eternity. Thus, the Egyptian sign ankh is a symbol of eternal life, immortality of the soul. It was given by the gods to the Pharaoh, the sign was depicted on the walls of the pyramids, temples.

They wear a cross with a noose even now, it gives strength, nourishes the body and soul with energy, and protects against diseases. It can often be seen in the photo of the emblems of various esoteric societies.

The meaning of the ankh in ancient Egypt

According to many Egyptologists, the original meaning of the ankh is related to magic. It was used by the ancient priests as a magical knot that gave strength. It was considered the key to secret knowledge, the wisdom of the gods, power and strength. It is not for nothing that in many images the gods pass the cross with a noose to the pharaohs as a sign of immortality and eternal power, wisdom and power. The types of meanings of the Egyptian crosses changed from era to era, but the essence remained the same.

Another meaning of the symbol is the combination of masculine and feminine principles. Ankh is the sign of the union of Isis and Osiris. According to legend, the goddess Isis connected the scattered parts of her murdered husband Osiris and revived him. Thus, the ankh cross is a divine knot that combines rebirth to life, loyalty and devotion, heaven and earth. It means human life, which rises on the noose of immortality, if the spirit and thoughts are pure. The ascent to the sky along the ankh loop leads to eternity and immortality of the soul, contributes to its transition to a new level of being.

Often, the Egyptian ankh cross was called the key of the Nile, which opened the door to secret knowledge, sources of strength and power. With this sign in hand, they depicted the goddess of truth and truth, Maat. He can be seen next to the drawings of the god Anubis. Often the eye and the mountain were depicted there as symbols of power and knowledge. The looped cross is also held by the goddess of music, love and fun, Hathor. In later times, the ankh cross becomes one of the symbols of Set, chained. He can also be seen in the hand of Aten or Akhenaten, the sun god.

How the ankh was used by the Egyptians

The ankh mark can be seen on many monuments in Ancient Egypt. The oldest images of the sign are more than 10,000 years old. Temples were built in the shape of a cross with a noose. He was painted on the walls of tombs and places of worship. The shape of the ankh was given to ritual vessels, from which symbolic outpourings were made. As a symbol of the Nile, the sign was depicted on the canals to save the land from floods. From the walls, images migrated to footboards and steps, and then even to shoes. This has given rise to the misconception among some archaeologists that the ankh cross is just a strap on sandals.

The looped cross was often worn as an amulet. He had to protect the immortal soul from evil forces and evil influences. The energy of the ankh, which merged with a person's own energy, intensified it many times over. Initially, the wearing of the ankh was the prerogative of the priests. It was made exclusively from silver, a metal considered the privilege of the servants of the gods. Then the symbol migrated to the pharaohs and the nobility, in this environment, amulets began to be made of gold, because rich people first of all wear things that emphasize their status.

ANKH Egyptian cross, a symbol of eternal life

ANKH. Spatial ANKH

03 Cross of Life Ankh

Cross of Life Ankh

In later eras, the common people began to use the talisman. Especially this practice spread when the ankh cross began to be associated with the god Set. It was worn around the neck of patients to speed up recovery. Also, the sign can be seen on many ancient Egyptian mummies. The amulet was supposed to protect the immortal soul from demons, speed up its transition to the realm of the dead. According to the ancient Egyptians, the key that opened the gates of death had the shape of a cross with a noose.

The meaning of the ankh in Christianity and modernity

There are theories that the ancient ankh cross is directly related to the Christian cross. In fact, this connection is rather contrived, because the Christian cross is the crossbeams on which Christ was crucified. This method of execution was widely used in the Roman Empire. The crossbeams were shaped like a cross for greater stability.

But in the Christian tradition, the ankh is found as a symbol. It is used by the Coptic Church, which originated and continues to exist in Egypt. Obviously, as in other territories, Christians adopted many of the symbols and customs of the pagans. In their tradition, the Egyptian ankh cross became a sign of Christ's sacrifice, his death and Sunday. Images of the ankh can be seen on the tombs of Coptic Christians of the 6th-9th centuries A.D. e. In other Christian churches, these types of crosses have not received distribution.

The symbol received a new life already in the twentieth century. It was used by hippies in the 60s as a sign of peace, truth and truth. Now, representatives of various esoteric groups often wear the ankh cross. For them, it means ancient wisdom, secret knowledge and power. Ankh helps to find happiness, maintain health of body and soul. Symbolizes the key to other, unknown worlds.

Talisman ankh

They wear the ankh cross and an amulet with it to gain strength, additional energy, confidence, to make mystical and esoteric practices more effective. This is the key to answering many questions that have troubled humanity for centuries. It is often used as a talisman against diseases, loss of strength, both physical and mental, depression. For the Egyptian amulet to have an impact, the following conditions must be met:

• The amulet for women is made of silver.
• The male amulet is made of gold.
• You need to wear the badge only on a leather strap, not on a chain.
• To fully reveal the ankh symbol, it must be activated.

For the amulet to become active, it must be rinsed well under running water. On the night of the full moon, they go out into the street, raise the ankh above their heads and ask the goddess Isis to breathe strength into him. During the day they do the same exercise, only they turn to the god Osiris. The weather during the performance of the ritual must be sunny and clear, otherwise it will not bring results.

At first, the ankh amulet is worn for several hours a day. The time is gradually increased. Those who wear it around their necks report some discomfort during the first two weeks. This is due to the fact that the energy of the amulet merges with the person's own energy. Until they come to unity, dissonance can arise between these forces. If a person has pure thoughts and noble desires, the ankh symbol will become a great helper. The talisman is not suitable for evil deeds: it will either be inactive, or will take revenge on its owner, take away his strength.

Ankh tattoos

The human body is perishable, it serves only as a temporary shell for the soul, therefore a tattoo with an ankh is not the best way to use a symbol, because it is a sign of eternity, which cannot be said about rapidly aging skin. It is much better if the cross with a loop is embodied in metal, silver or gold. But many people put tattoos on their bodies with this sign. How does the ankh work in this case?

After applying a tattoo, the sign begins to act on a person for 24 hours a day. Not everyone is ready for such a powerful charge of energy, such a strong influence. The ankh cross is able to change the life of people. Whether these changes will be beneficial or harmful depends largely on personal aspirations, readiness to learn new things. The ancient symbol is able to introduce its owner into the unknown world of spirits, ancient wisdom and knowledge.

Often, people with ankh tattoos start having unusual dreams. Their plot can take place approximately according to the following scenario:

• Complete strangers appear in a dream.
• The characters speak an unknown language.
• The events are bright, a person takes an active part in them, can smell, taste food.
• Sometimes dreams cause vague anxiety, or even real fear.

Dreams can reveal past lives to the owner of a symbolic tattoo. It happens that the talent of a predictor, a mystic wakes up in people. The amulet becomes a guide in the spirits habitat, unexplored mystical worlds. Do you want to plunge into the secrets of the universe? If so, you can get a looped cross tattoo. But before that, you should prepare well so that new abilities do not come as a surprise, do not negatively affect life. Those who do not want to change anything in their life, who are satisfied with everything, should not draw this powerful sign on their bodies.

The ankh symbol, the meaning of which at the moment causes a lot of controversy (and not only among Egyptologists), is often associated with ancient Egyptian culture, which is not entirely true. The fact is that the so-called cruxansata (the original Latin name) is found not only on the territory of modern Egypt, it was used by many peoples of the ancient world, in particular, we can find the ankh sign even on the megaliths of Easter Island, which is really surprising.

Today the Egyptian ankh has many names, including the ankh of Isis, the key of the ankh (meaning “the key of life” or “the key of immortality”), the key of the Nile, and so on. In fact, with regard to semantics (after all, it is logical to look for the meaning of the ankh in its original definition), only the original hieroglyph, which looks like a "cross with a buttonhole", matters. The name ankh is a transliteration (roughly speaking - it is read as it is written), in the Coptic language the "cross of immortality" is called onkh, and the most common reading is ankh (here the reading of the first vowel is very arbitrary, because we do not know how the vowels sounded in ancient Egyptian).

But what does ankh mean? In fact, the ankh of life (the ankh of Isis) has a very vague interpretation. For the culture of Ancient Egypt (Upper or Lower Kingdom - in the context of the question it does not matter), this symbol was one of the key, obviously religious symbols. It is clear that there was no such thing as an "ankh amulet", that is, there are no images or written instructions that a pendant of a similar shape could exist, which would have protective (protective) functions. On the other hand, many ancient Egyptian amulets (the meaning of which is unambiguously determined by archaeologists) have an image of the ankh hieroglyph on them. The ankh symbol can also be found in the painting of ancient Egyptian temples (pyramids), pharaohs and gods are often depicted with this symbol in their hand (or in their hands, many sculptures (pharaohs, but not gods) hold ankh in both hands).

Ankh, "the cross of immortality" is often associated with eternal life, the processes of rebirth, the cyclical nature of the universe. Probably the semantics of the ankh cross speaks of the connection between Duat and Tuatha (the world of the living and the world of the dead, the other world, in the mythology of Ancient Egypt). Often the ankh is a symbol of wisdom, probably - a symbol of power and belonging to the "caste" of the enlightened, people who realize the essence of the basic laws of the universe. At least, such an interpretation of the meaning of the ankh of Isis looks meaningful, proceeding from the fact that in ancient images this sign is an integral attribute of many gods (not all, in particular, Osiris does not have ankh). Then why do we see two ankhs in the hands of the statues and monuments depicting the pharaohs? Again, associations arise with the keys, the key from the world of the living (the pharaoh ruled this world) and the key from the afterlife (the pharaoh is the governor of the gods (their embodied will), their named son, and therefore comes (returns?) To their world, as in my own).

Why this sign is sometimes called the ankh of Isis, also remains unclear, because the ankh symbol is equally applicable to almost any god, in particular, representing the Heliopolis Ennead. This is probably due to the strengthening of the cult of Isis in the era of the Upper Kingdom, then the "mother of the gods" became a symbol of esoteric truth, the highest wisdom that unites both worlds (already mentioned Duat and Tuat).

The ankh, whose image is also found in early Christian manuscripts, was widely used in Coptic culture. Copts, as already noted, called this symbol "onkh", which means "life". That is, the symbolism of life and immortality is still prevalent here. The Vedic interpretation of the ankh symbol is also not unfounded. According to this version, the Ankh cross personifies a person (and indeed, in shape it resembles a human figure spreading its arms to the sides), or rather, the position of the main energy centers (chakras) in his body. Actually, if you perceive the ankh symbol as a kind of scheme, then in fact it is not difficult to find all seven chakras on it (or all nine energy centers in accordance with the Slavic system).

How can the cross of life be used? The ankh amulet, as noted above, in essence is not a talisman, at least this version is not actually confirmed in any way. The version about the key "to immortality", or rather about the key that allows you to open the door connecting the two worlds, looks more likely. Ankh (a photo of this symbol or interpretation of this image can be found everywhere today) has never been applied to weapons and armor, that is, we are still talking about specifically, let's say, a priestly, if simpler - a magical symbol that never had protective functions. The Egyptian ankh cross, the meaning of which, as we have seen, is not defined even to a relative extent, is often used in the tattoo industry. Ankh tattoo in this sense is likely to become just a pattern on the skin. In the worst case, it will cause irreparable harm to its owner, elementary because no one can say for sure how the ankh tattoo affects a person. It is hardly worth counting on "opening the chakras" after applying this sign to the skin. At least, there is not a single case of using the ankh as a tattoo in the ancient world (although in the same Egypt, tattoo as such was practiced).

Thus, the cross of immortality, the crux ansata, the bow of life, the ankh of Isis (and further down the list) is an ancient esoteric sign that would be known to many cultures. His image is found both in Africa and in Asian countries, even in Buddhist treatises one can find symbols that strongly resemble the Egyptian ankh. But what did our ancestors want to convey to us in this symbol? There is no definite answer. But maybe the cross of life is not yet ready to reveal its secrets to us? Or are the answers waiting for us in the Duat? Who knows…

Sacred geometry. Energy codes of harmony Prokopenko Iolanta

Ankh - Egyptian immortality and modern patterns

Ankh is the most sacred cross of the Egyptians - a sign of life, living, an oath, a covenant held in the hands of their Gods, pharaohs.

E.P. Blavatsky

In Egyptian culture, there was an amazing relationship between image and word. Hieroglyphs have become a symbolic system promising the favor of the gods, their protection and knowledge. One of the main Egyptian symbols is the Egyptian cross - the ankh.

The form of the Egyptian cross ankh (crux ansata) has several interpretations.

1. The symbol of Egypt, in which the oval denotes the delta of the Nile River, and the rest - the river itself, the source of life in the dry lands of Egypt. One of its names is "key of life" or "key of the Nile".

2. Rising sun, signifying a new day. In the "Egyptian Book of the Dead" there are many images of the ankh as a symbol of new life, a symbol of power and rebirth.

Egyptian cross ankh

The illustrations from the "Egyptian Book of the Dead" show the transportation of the dead across the "Styx River", that is, across the Mediterranean Sea. Ancient Greek myths tell of the carrier of the dead, Charon, who in his boat ferried the dead to the Kingdom of the Dead. That is, as we now understand, to Egypt, to the Nile Valley. Ankh in this case denotes at the same time the immortality of the carrier and the life of countless dead people entrusted to him for some time.

Illustration "Egyptian Book of the Dead"

Ankh supporting the rising sun, Isis and Neftis. Fragment of Ani's papyrus

There is also an image of a tree trunk supporting Osiris with kneeling Isis and Nephthys on both sides. An ankh emerges from the tree with human hands that hold the sun disc.

3. The merger of the male (phallic pole) and female (oval-womb) principles, symbolizing Osiris and Isis - Heaven and Earth. A symbol of a new birth, a new life, a symbol of fertility. In some interpretations, we are talking about a magic knot where sexual relations play a role.

Alpha and Omega on the Ankh cross (symbol of life). The image on the pediment field of the tombstone "Rhodia" in Fayum. Egypt, VI century.

Pharaoh's headdress. Fragment of the painting of the tomb of Seti I. XX dynasty. Thebes, Avenue of the Kings

Thus, the ankh sign denotes a magical bond that unites all that exists into a single knot of Isis, the goddess of love and life. It was she who connected the parts of her divine consort Osiris together. Their union, the union of the gods, according to one version, is presented in the form of an Egyptian cross.

Isis was the wife of Osiris. They loved each other very much. Neftis was Seth's wife. Seth was jealous of Osiris because Isis was very beautiful and loved her husband. Seth wanted to marry Isis, but she refused. Then Seth decided to take revenge on Osiris.

He made a golden sarcophagus and invited all the gods to try it on. Seth said that he would give the sarcophagus to the god who would fit it. The gods lay down in the sarcophagus, but it did not fit anyone. When Osiris lay in the sarcophagus, Seth slammed it shut. Set cut the body of Osiris into 42 pieces and scattered them throughout Egypt.

Isis missed her husband very much. She turned into an eagle and flew to find Osiris. She found him in a Lebanese palace. Isis told the Lebanese king what Set had done to Osiris. The king gave the body of Osiris to Isis. She connected her husband's body parts and resurrected his spirit. Then she conceived from him a son, Horos.

Osiris in the form of a king. Drawing from the tomb of Nath. Osiris on the throne. His companion, Isis, holds an Egyptian cross

Image of "sprouted" Osiris (below - ankh). Drawing on papyrus

Egyptian gods were often depicted on the walls of tombs and reliefs with an ankh in their hands. This symbolized their immortality, new life, their power over the world. This brings us to the fourth interpretation of the ankh symbol. The life of any creature in the Universe, both divine and mortal, depended on the possession of the god of the ankh symbol. The gods rewarded kings with this symbol. The souls justified in the Courtroom have lived for a hundred thousand million years.

4. The sign of the ankh combines a cross, a symbol of life and a circle, a symbol of eternity. Therefore, the gods, one way or another connected "by duty" with human life or death, were depicted with an ankh in their hands.

The oval, a symbol of eternity, connects with a cruciform extension. Some researchers suggest that this could mean a transition from infinity to space, life in all possible spaces and planes, at all possible levels.

5. Ankh is a magical symbol of wisdom gained as a result of initiation, the key to secret knowledge, strength, power.

Memphis triad: Ptah, Sekhmet and Nefertum

Anubis, patron saint of necropolises and cemeteries, guide of the dead to the afterlife

"Ankh is another form of Venus (Isis) and means, esoterically, that humanity and all animal life left the divine, spiritual circle, and a fall into physical male and female generation took place."

The Egyptians wore amulets to prolong their lives; they buried their loved ones with these amulets to ensure their afterlife. According to one of the traditions, it was worn around the neck of a newborn so that he would survive. The Egyptians believed that the ankh, placed on the walls of the canals, kept them from flooding. The ankh was applied to the walls of temples, monuments and household items as a symbol of inexhaustible vitality.

The marriage of Shu and Tefnut (in the hands of the ankh gods). Drawing on papyrus

Often in Egyptian culture, the ankh denoted the key to the otherworldly worlds, the key to the gates of paradise. The Ankh was closely associated with the elements of air and water, which signified the elements of life. The air symbolized the divine spark, the breath of life, which the gods give to humanity through the king-mediator. In some sculptural images, the gods bring the ankh to the king's nose, or the ankh himself carries a fan behind the king, and thereby gives him eternal life. There are images where sacred water flows in the form of an ankh onto the king from the vessels of Horus and Thoth during the ritual of purification. Sometimes the vessels themselves were shaped like an Egyptian cross. Isis, Nephthys, Thoth and Anubis pour water on the deceased from these vessels and grant him revival. The shape of the vessel gives magical power to the water it contains. In addition, the shape of the ankh was often given to various offerings that were intended for the souls of the departed - bread, lotus bouquets, papyri.

Persian-Egyptian king Cambyses

In later times, the ankh was used by sorceresses for rituals, fortune-telling, divination, as well as herbalists and healers for healing and helping women in labor.

Until now, the ankh is considered a symbol of immortality, a symbol of a long and happy life. This symbol was borrowed by Coptic Christians as a traditional cross, as well as modern subcultures that glorify the idea of \u200b\u200bimmortality and the afterlife in their worldviews. In the late 1960s, the ankh was a popular symbol of peace and truth during the hippie movement.

Chapter 4 Immortality Death is a superstition to which people who have never thought about the true meaning of life are subject. Man is immortal. But in order to believe in immortality and understand what it is, you need to find in your life that which is immortal in it.

Chapter 4. IMMORTALITY