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The Ankh
- The Egyptian Symbol
Of Life
- The Ankh has long been associated with the Egyptians who
presumably created it. Although it's true origins are debated
amongst many archeologists and egyptologists. One thing is for
sure, the Egyptians revered the Ankh as a spiritual symbol.
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- Considered to be the symbol of life, immortality and the
universe, the Ankh is both a symbol of the Goddess and God heads.
The tau, or loop at the top has also been associated as a symbol
of spiritual reflection. This could be a result of it's use by
Tutankhamen who often used a large hand held Ankh with a mirror
positioned in the loop.
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- The loop has a couple of common meanings. It represents the
three upper chakras, also known as the spiritual chakras, which
are associated with the divine. It represents the Godhead (not
just the masculine, but God as an all encompassing divine being).
It also represents the female principles or the Goddess, within
nature and the divine universe.
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- The staff has a few meanings as well. It is a representation
of the masculine God and male principles. The vertical line is
a symbol of the lower four chakras also known as the physical
chakras. The cross bar represents the division of the male and
female aspects of life, and the balance of polarity between the
two.
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- An Ankh was made of many different materials, from wood and
precious stones, to metals of gold and silver. Many Egyptians
and early pagans placed precious stones within the loop of the
Ankh to magnify the spiritual properties of the stone. An Ankh
with an amethyst in the center for instance, was through to be
a powerful tool for enhancing divination.
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- As an amulet, the Ankh is worn for both good
luck or fortune and to protect against bad luck or energies.
It is seen in Egyptian art as a scepter in the right hand of
deities, and as a tool used upon the nostrils of the dead to
bring them back to life.
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- The Ankh has long been associated with the Egyptians as a
symbol of regeneration. But it also has deep roots as a symbol
of magik. In ancient Egypt, the House of Life, symbolized by
the Ankh over the door and throughout the interior, was a building,
or group of buildings that housed the temple library. These libraries
were filled with magical lore, accessible by magicians, priests
and laymen alike. One of the largest of these libraries can be
found at Karnak along the Nile river.
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- As a magikal tool, the Ankh can be used for healing and to
promote psychic communication with the divine. Some Egyptian
art depict a priest or priestess placing an Ankh in the middle
of their forehead (over the third eye) as a means to connect
to the divine God/Goddess for communication. Healers often placed
the Ankh over wounds or areas that required attention, to promote
regeneration and divine healing.
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Source: 1, b8,
b10, b13,
b16, b18,
m23, m33,
o2, o11,
o12, o27 |
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