What does ankh mean?
The ankh is the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic character that represents life, depicted as a tau cross topped by a loop. In Egyptian art it appears constantly: gods hold it to the noses of kings to bestow the breath of life, and the dead carry it into the afterlife as a token of immortality. Because of this enduring association, the ankh has become one of the most recognizable symbols from antiquity, appearing today in jewelry, tattoo art, neopagan practice, and popular culture as a general emblem of life and vitality. Scholars sometimes refer to it by its Latin name, crux ansata ('handled cross'), which was coined during the Renaissance study of Egyptian monuments. For readers, the word functions chiefly in discussions of Egyptology, comparative religion, and symbolism, and it remains a compact, evocative term for one of humanity's oldest and most persistent signs of living power.
nounA tau (T-shaped) cross surmounted by a loop, the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic character representing life; it is widely used as an emblem of life and immortality.
- The ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol of life, shaped like a cross with a looped top.
- By extension, any representation of this symbol used in art, jewelry, or popular culture as an emblem of life or immortality.
"The pharaoh's tomb was adorned with carvings of the ankh, held before his face as a symbol of eternal life."
"In tomb paintings, the gods are often shown pressing an ankh against the king's lips to grant him the breath of life."
"She wore a small gold ankh on a chain, its looped top catching the light."
Standard pluralization applies; used when referring to multiple symbols or artifacts.
"The temple walls were covered with ankhs carved in relief."
The ankh is over 3,000 years old and still dangles around necks today — one of the few ancient symbols that never went out of fashion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ankh
The word 'ankh' derives directly from the ancient Egyptian word for 'life', written in hieroglyphs as ʿnḫ. European scholars encountered the symbol through Egyptian monuments and manuscripts, and Renaissance writers gave it the Latin descriptive name crux ansata, meaning 'cross with a handle'. The English word entered usage through Egyptological scholarship, becoming common as public fascination with ancient Egypt grew in the nineteenth century.
How ankh is actually used
The word is almost always used in historical, archaeological, religious-studies, or decorative contexts. It carries no negative connotation and is generally treated as a neutral scholarly or cultural term. The plural form 'ankhs' is standard when referring to multiple symbols or objects.
Easily confused with ankh
A crucifix is a Christian cross bearing the figure of Christ, whereas the ankh is an ancient Egyptian looped cross symbolizing life.