What Does The Ankh Mean? | Studio of Ptah

What Does The Ankh Mean? The ancient symbol known as the Ankh is the world's oldest known symbol for LIFE and it can be interpreted in many ways.

First, it honors the mother, by representing where she nurtures her children until birth. This is represented by the top portion, the circle of the ankh. The Ankh also represents the father, the staff portion which supports the symbol. These two separate elements combine to form a new complex whole. The synthesis of the male and female are represented as the children, boy and girl, represented by the two parts of the mid section..Life

The Ankh also symbolizes water which rises up as evaporation from the earth's surface, into the atmosphere, forms clouds, and returns as precipitation in the continuous water cycle driven by the energy of the sun and gravity. This cycle brings forth the growth of vegetation and fruit...Life

Another metaphor of the Ankh is cycle of the Sun, the ultimate symbol of life. The sun makes life possible by rising in the day to give energy, nourishment, and sustenance to all forms of life. In this metaphor the mid sections represents the horizon. The daily rise and setting of the sun was also emblematic of birth...Life

More recently there have been theories that connect the Ankh Symbol to the long horned cattle native to East Africa. These domesticated livestock were a major part of the lives of the people and the agricultural dominance of Kemet (Ancient Egypt). They were also associated with the goddess Het Heru (Hathor) and highly revered.

What Does The Ankh Mean? However you look at the Ankh, it represents the continual regeneration of the life force and is one of the most fascinating symbols ever conceived.