The symbol of the cross “Ankh”, also known as Anj, is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyph that symbolizes eternal life and is one of the most famous ancient Egyptian symbols. This is one of the hieroglyphs that appears most in both the texts and Egyptian art always in relation to the gods.
The Egyptians had the belief that the gods had dominion over eternal life. For this reason, the depictions of their gods with the Ankh symbolized their power over life and death “Egyptian symbol of death”. Many times the gods were represented by holding an ankh by its tie with their hands. It is also common to represent the gods with crossed arms and an Ankh in each handheld by its lower end.
Representations of a god holding the Ankh near the lips near some pharaohs are also common. This symbolizes the offering by the gods of the breath of life, which is necessary for life beyond the grave.
The Egyptians also considered the Ankh to be an amulet that they wore. They also made mirrors in the shape of the Ankh to represent the mutual reflection of life and death.
Although it is perhaps one of the most important Egyptian symbols there are different theories about its origin but none of them is conclusive. A variation of the Ankh cross was later adopted by Coptic Christians as a symbol of their faith.
Eye of Horus
The Eye of Horus is an ancient Egyptian symbol that relates to good health and protection. The symbol comes from the god Horus, the god of heaven represented in the form of a hawk or a man with a hawk’s head.
According to Egyptian mythology Osiris, the father of Horus, was killed by his brother Seth. Horus sought revenge and in a series of encounters with Seth, he lost his left eye. The god Tot, the god of magic and wisdom, was able to restore the eye of Horus and this, in turn, offered the eye to Osiris to restore life. For this reason, the eye of Horus could also symbolize sacrifice, recovery, and protection.
Comments