Ankh
The ankh is an Egyptian symbol of life, the universe, and immortality; important in Magic. Ankh means both “life” and “hand mirror.” It is in the shape of a tau, or looped, cross.
The ankh is a symbol of regeneration, an amulet against bad luck, and a talisman for good fortune. It also represents the alchemical union of the male principle (the staff) and the female principle (the closed loop).
In ancient Egypt, the House of Life was a building or group of buildings that housed the temple library, the repository of all magical lore available to the magicians, priests, and laymen. Egyptian art shows the ankh being carried as a scepter in the right hand of deities and being applied to the nostrils of the dead in order to bring them back to life. Ankh amulets were made of faience, semiprecious and precious stones, wax, metal, and wood. The pharaoh Tutankhamen had a hand mirror in the shape of an ankh.
Egyptians who converted to early Christianity used both the ankh and the Christian cross as their spiritual signs.
Source:
The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy Written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley Copyright © 2006 by Visionary Living, Inc.
The ankh is the Egyptian symbol of life, regeneration, the universe and immortality, the ankh, which means “life” and “hand mirror,” is a tau, or looped cross. Wiccans and Pagans wear it as an amulet against negativity and as a talisman for good fortune and benevolent forces. It also represents the union of the male principle (the staff) and the female principle (the closed loop).
Egyptian art shows the ankh being carried as a scepter in the right hand of deities and being applied to the nostrils of the dead in order to bring them back to life. Ankh amulets were made of faience, semiprecious and precious stones, wax, metal and wood. Tutankhamen had a hand mirror in the shape of an ankh. Egyptians who converted to Christianity from the first century on used both the ankh and the Christian cross as their signs.
Source:
The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft and Wicca written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley – Copyright © 1989, 1999, 2008 by Visionary Living, Inc.