Egyptian Cross

The Egyptian cross or ankh (crux ansata) is one of the most common and well known Egyptian symbols and hieroglyphics. The cross is just that except it has a loop on the top and there are so many theories and meanings behind it so I will attempt to go over a few for you now.

The ankh is seen in many pictures and wall paintings and it is generally held by the god Anubis and in many burial images. The reason being for this is because it was believed that the ankh was a vessel that was used to move the breath of life onto whomever was supposed to pass onto the afterlife, without the ankh you could not take that step.

The ankh is also shown to be carried by the Pharaohs and would be placed in both hands and crossed over the chest. It was a sign of power and protection.

A interesting theory is that the loop represented the mouth of the river Nile and the cross represented the river stretching down through the country, the left and right arms of the cross representing the union of the country and the Nile being the life bringer.

Another theory is that the loop represented the female womb and the cross the male sexual organ and the ankh was a sign of life because it represented the act of creating life.

Either way you look at it the Egyptian cross has an incredible history and symbolism of life and power.