Analysis Of The Poem Ankh - 1011 Words

Symbolism 101 Assignment: Ankh Cindy Alexander Do to being born into a strong Roman Catholic family, this symbol automatically reminds me of the some of the priests and on occasion some of the nuns wearing this cross around their neck. I always liked this cross much better than the crucifix. That one always scared me as a small child. I remember thinking that this one looked kind of like a stick figure of a woman. She had to be in a dress because you couldn t see her legs. I still like the look of this symbol today. Even more so now that I know the history behind it. The Ankh like most spiritual symbols, don t have a single simple meaning. But let s start with the fact that the ankh is an Egyptian letter; specifically, it is a†¦show more content†¦At this point, I am rolling my eyes. This, to me, seems like a very Juvenal explanation for such a powerful symbol. Another theory was put forth by Wallis Budge an Egyptologist, who claimed the Ankh originated from the belt buckle of Isis. Or to be more specific the tjet, or the knot of Isis. This was said to be a ceremonial girdle that was thought to represent the female genitalia. Although this is just a theory, it is in keeping with the meaning the Egyptians have held throughout history up till the present day. The Ankh has also been associated with the mirror. This is in no small part to the fact that the Egyptians believe that the afterlife is a mirror image of life on earth. Ankhs were made out of a wide verity of materials like metal, wood, faience, terracotta, and stone. They were believed to have magical powers, which were thought to provide the wearer with supernatural benefits. Of course, the specific power of the ankh was determined by the material it was made from, as well as the color. An ankh was an amulet that was worn by many throughout their life and carried with them to their grave. Even Elvis Presley wore an Ankh amulet. And when he was criticized for doing so, his response was â€Å"I don t want to miss out on Heaven because of a technicality.† As far as how the Ankh is used in modern day pagan practices,