Ankh of Infinite Life
Sterling silver pendant
2017
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The ankh is one of the most recognizable symbols of ancient Egypt, known primarily as a symbol of eternal life. It first appeared in the Early Dynastic Period (c. 3100 - 2686 BC). The symbol’s name is the Egyptian hieroglyph for "life" or "breath of life" (`nh = ankh.) The Egyptians believed that one's life on earth was only part of an eternal life; the ankh symbolized both mortal existence and the eternal life. The ankh's association with the afterlife made it an especially potent symbol for the 4th century Coptic Christians of Egypt who took it as their own. This use of the ankh as a symbol of belief in Christ’s atonement and His promise of eternal life may have been one of the earliest origins of the Christian use of the cross as a symbol of faith today.
In Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism (1869), Thomas Inman wrote that the “handled cross”, or crux ansata represents the male triad and the female unit … emblematic of the truth that a fruitful union is a gift from the deity." Energetically, the loop at the top of the ankh symbolizes the three upper spiritual chakras which are associated with the divine. It represents God as an all-encompassing divine being, and in this circular form, particularly the female principles or the Goddess, the source and gateway into life which all beings enter the natural world. The staff below the loop of the ankh represents the masculine God and male principles, and symbolizes the four lower physical chakras. The cross bar of the pendant divides the male and female aspects of life, and represents the balance of polarity between the two.
The circular loop at the top of the Ankh of Infinite Life is an infinity ring, deepening its symbolism. The contours that encircle the loop have no beginning and no end; the top side becomes the bottom side and the inside becomes the outside. Touch any edge of the loop with a fingertip and trace its contours. After going around two complete revolutions you’ll have traced the circumference of both the inner and outer contours of the infinity ring of the upper loop of the Ankh of Infinite Life.
Like all of my infinity ring sculpture and jewelry designs, the Ankh of Infinite Life evokes ancient Feng Shui principles. The never-ending circular nature of the infinity ring form and the complementary cross on the design made up of two crossed tetrahedrons promote infinite peace, love, healing, and harmony.
2017
Click here to enter my online shop.
The ankh is one of the most recognizable symbols of ancient Egypt, known primarily as a symbol of eternal life. It first appeared in the Early Dynastic Period (c. 3100 - 2686 BC). The symbol’s name is the Egyptian hieroglyph for "life" or "breath of life" (`nh = ankh.) The Egyptians believed that one's life on earth was only part of an eternal life; the ankh symbolized both mortal existence and the eternal life. The ankh's association with the afterlife made it an especially potent symbol for the 4th century Coptic Christians of Egypt who took it as their own. This use of the ankh as a symbol of belief in Christ’s atonement and His promise of eternal life may have been one of the earliest origins of the Christian use of the cross as a symbol of faith today.
In Ancient Pagan and Modern Christian Symbolism (1869), Thomas Inman wrote that the “handled cross”, or crux ansata represents the male triad and the female unit … emblematic of the truth that a fruitful union is a gift from the deity." Energetically, the loop at the top of the ankh symbolizes the three upper spiritual chakras which are associated with the divine. It represents God as an all-encompassing divine being, and in this circular form, particularly the female principles or the Goddess, the source and gateway into life which all beings enter the natural world. The staff below the loop of the ankh represents the masculine God and male principles, and symbolizes the four lower physical chakras. The cross bar of the pendant divides the male and female aspects of life, and represents the balance of polarity between the two.
The circular loop at the top of the Ankh of Infinite Life is an infinity ring, deepening its symbolism. The contours that encircle the loop have no beginning and no end; the top side becomes the bottom side and the inside becomes the outside. Touch any edge of the loop with a fingertip and trace its contours. After going around two complete revolutions you’ll have traced the circumference of both the inner and outer contours of the infinity ring of the upper loop of the Ankh of Infinite Life.
Like all of my infinity ring sculpture and jewelry designs, the Ankh of Infinite Life evokes ancient Feng Shui principles. The never-ending circular nature of the infinity ring form and the complementary cross on the design made up of two crossed tetrahedrons promote infinite peace, love, healing, and harmony.