| The Ankh (aka the crux aitsata, or the 'ansate' or | | | | associated with water, air, and the sun rising over |
| 'handled cross') was sacred to the ancient | | | | the horizon) which further reinforces the image of |
| Egyptians (this is actually the land of Ancient | | | | fertility and reproduction. Of course, the Ankh can |
| Kemet - "the land of the blacks" - which the | | | | be further taken to symbolize the power to give |
| Greeks later renamed Egypt) and is known as the | | | | and sustain life. With its deep Egyptian roots, it is |
| original cross. This symbol stands for life or living, | | | | no wonder that it is widely used within the |
| and forms part of the Egyptian words such as | | | | Christian Coptic Orthodox Church Of Egypt. |
| 'health' and 'happiness.' (This is why it's often | | | | Today the Ankh is usually worn as an amulet (a |
| referred to as the Key of Life which would unlock | | | | protector, or something which is considered to |
| the gates of death, aka the cross of life.) It is | | | | bring good luck to the wearer - coming from the |
| linked with the Egyptian God Osiris and the | | | | Latin word 'amuletum' which is defined as a |
| Goddess Isis (the eternal mother and High | | | | 'means of defence') to extend the life of the living |
| Priestess who carries the Ankh in Her hand). Kings | | | | here on Earth. It is believed that the Ankh will |
| and Pharoahs are also oftentimes shown with an | | | | bestow immortality on anyone who possesses it. |
| Ankh to distinguish them from "mere mortals." | | | | It is believed that life energy emanating from the |
| The loop of the Ankh (which represents the | | | | Ankh can be absorbed by anyone within a certain |
| womb, the feminine discipline) is considered to be | | | | proximity. An Ankh serves as an antenna or |
| the feminine, and the "T" shape is considered to | | | | conduit for the divine power of life that |
| be the masculine (the masculine discipline or the | | | | permeates the universe. The amulet also provides |
| Penis). Together, these symbols create life and | | | | the wearer with protection from the evil forces |
| reflect a continued existence. It is sometimes | | | | of decay and degeneration. Many people are also |
| called the Key of the Nile (the river that provided | | | | buried with the Ankh in order to ensure their 'life |
| water for Egypt to survive - the Ankh is often | | | | to come' in the afterworld. |