The Ankh : Egyptian Gold and Egyptian Silver Ankh

The Ankh:
You can find in many forms, cast in silver, gold, set with semi-precious stones, or even made in iron, pottery and wood. It is the Egyptian ‘key of life’. This symbol’s very name is intriguing and cries out for deeper investigation as to
what it all means, it dates back to Pharonic times, and is steeped in history, tradition, beliefs and meaning.

Creative power, knowledge, abundance, health, happiness, prosperity, long life and immortality, are just a few of the powers associated with the key of life; what a gift for someone special, but why does this symbol mean so much?


The symbol of the key was first seen when the first Pharonic tombs where unearthed. Many wall decorations depict the past kings holding the key of life at their coronation ceremonies. It was believed that the key would give the
bearer creative power, increased knowledge, power and abundance.

what more could a future king wish for? Further discovery showed the pharos where often buried with the ‘Ankh’ one of the many other names for the Key of Life.

This explained the belief that it was the key, which unlocked the mysteries of heaven and earth and was the giver of renewal and re-generation.


When the hieroglyphics where first decoded it was revealed that the symbol of an ‘O’ on top of a ‘T’ was significant. Combining two symbols created the Ankh, the ‘T’ represented life and the circle eternity, together making ‘immortality’. It also represented male and female and the two most worshipped Gods and Goddess Osiris and Isis.

Osiris the God of the underworld, and Isis his wife the Goddess of the brightest star in the sky and the protector and giver of life, hence the union of heaven and earth.

There are many variations on the interpretations of the symbols of the key. Some identify the ‘O’ as a fish’s mouth giving birth to water. Water especially in Egypt is the giver of life, which brings re-generation and renewal. Before the
Lake Nasser Dam was Built the Nile would periodically flood, fertilizing land and providing a plentiful crop.


This interpretation is linked with Isis, as she was identified with the Nile floods, which bought dry dead land back to life. The symbol was found carved on the canal walls of the Nile, in the belief that its presence would control the
flow of water and the delicate balance between flood and drought. Due to this interpretation it is also known as the ‘Key of the Nile’, symbolizing the ability for life to continue and evolve.

The key of life is a universal symbol. It is known in Latin as ‘crux ansata’, became the chosen symbol of early Coptic Christians in Egypt, and also in the spiritual form represents the symbol of Venus. It represents a magical knot, the strap of a sandal (although I can’t quite fathom that one out), and the sun rising over the horizon.

All of these interpretations lead to the same conclusion it is the significant sign of life, the key of life offering re-generation, renewal, feminine and masculine energy, and gives it’s bearer continued protection.

On top of all that symbolism and meaning on the practical side, it’s pretty, portable, comes in a variety of designs and matters, and is a nice reminder of Egypt, and I think everybody at sometime in their life needs a Key.

Try an Egyptian Gold or Silver Ankh from Bazaar in Egypt