The Ankh of Ancient Egypt

The Ankh is the Egyptian hieroglyph life and immortality. It was considered to the be the the key of life or key of the Nile to the Ancient Egyptians. It is symboled by a teardrop-loop and a cross

The Ankh Egyptian Symbol

Alexi Helligar

While the origin of the ankh remains unknown; many scholars, like E. A. Wallis Budge, have hypothesized the ankh was the belt buckle of the mother goddess Isis, and was used in conjunction with the knot of Isis during ceremonies. 

Egyptian gods and kings are often depicted carrying the ankh to symbolize their powers over life and death. The ankh is also connected with funerals and death, because mummies often carry a ankh to signal safe passage between this world and the next.

Alternatively, the ankh can also symbol the mother goddess Isis and her husband Osiris, which symbolized the union of Heaven and Earth. They are often depicted holding a an ankh in one or both hands.