Symbols of ancient Egypt: Ankh (or key of life)



The phrase "the key to life" may sound appealing and profound, and while it garners attention, it's often used colloquially and can be misleading, especially when used to attract tourists or propagate misconceptions.

It's important to note that in Kemet (Ancient Egypt), literacy was limited to select groups such as priests and scribes. There were various scripts employed, with hieroglyphics being the most recognized by the public.

In this script, words and letters are depicted through symbols or ideograms, similar to other languages like Chinese. For instance, the hieroglyph for 'life' is denoted by a specific symbol:

☥ 

The term "ankh" is often read as "anj" in Spanish. This discrepancy arises from the varied transliterations used across different languages, such as "anch" in German. The pronunciation "anj" does not imply that "ankh" is an incorrect transcription, nor that it should be pronounced as "ank." Throughout the history of Egyptology, transliteration practices into languages other than English and French have been less than ideal. Rather than adapting to represent sounds accurately within the target language, often the English transliteration is adopted and pronounced according to local customs.

The word "ankh" features in the names of several pharaohs, including the renowned Tutankhamun (Tut-ankh-imen), which translates to "the living image of Amun," with "Tut" symbolizing 'image,' "ankh" representing 'life,' and "Imen" being another name for 'Amun.' Additionally, it appears in depictions where kings and gods hold the ankh, signifying eternal life; to possess life is to evade death.

In many artistic renderings, deities are shown offering the ankh to others by bringing it close to their nose or mouth, bestowing upon them the vital breath they require. The ankh also permeated the daily lives of Kemet's inhabitants, found in amulets, jewelry, or mirrors.

In declaration 451 of section 837 of the pyramid texts, we read:

"O king, wake up! Get up, stand up, so that you can be pure and that your ka can be pure, so that your ba can be pure, so that your power can be pure."

Later, Christians, who held the cross as a sacred emblem, adopted what they assumed to be a cross. However, this was not the case; rather, it was the Ankh symbol which they syncretized, aiding in its dissemination as a cross. A comparable emblem is that of the goddess Venus, which for an extended period has denoted the female sex, thus termed the cross of life.

The origins of the 'key of life' remain uncertain; even scholars do not concur on its precise beginnings. It will likely remain an enigma how the people of Kemet interpreted it or what additional meanings it may have held beyond life. To refer to it as the 'key of life' or to infer a direct link with the esoteric is to engage in unfounded speculation, seeing more than what exists. Numerous websites claim it represents life and death, unlocks the afterlife's gates, and symbolizes eternity. These are mere conjectures as unsubstantiated as the supposed curses of royal tombs or the myth of slaves constructing the pyramids.

Bibliography:

DICCIONARIO DE SIGNOS Y SÍMBOLOS DEL ANTIGUO EGIPTO
CASTEL, ELISA Editorial Alderaban ISBN978-84-95414-67-0

Diccionario de instituciones de la Antigüedad
Federico Lara Peinado; Javier Cabrero Piquero; Félix Cordente Vaquero; Juan Antonio Pino Cano ISBN: 978-84-376-2612-3 Editorial Cátedra

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