ankhs

The ankh is an ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol that was used in writing and in Egyptian art to represent the word for "life" and, by extension, as a symbol of life itself. It is depicted as a cross with a loop at the top. The exact origin of the ankh is debated among scholars, but it is believed to have originated in the Early Dynastic Period or possibly even earlier. The symbol frequently appears in tomb paintings, reliefs, and on sarcophagi, often being held by deities or pharaohs, signifying their power over life and death or their bestowal of life.

Ankhs were also used as amulets, believed to offer protection and promote health and longevity. They were sometimes depicted being offered by gods to the nostrils of the pharaoh, a gesture symbolizing the breath of life being given. The ankh's popularity extended beyond ancient Egypt, with its imagery appearing in later Coptic Christian art, where it was sometimes interpreted as a symbol of the cross and eternal life. In modern times, the ankh has been adopted by various subcultures and spiritual movements as a symbol of life, immortality, or ancient wisdom.