ankh

[ ahngk, angk ]

noun

, Egyptian Art.

1. a tau (T-shaped) cross with a loop at the top, used as a symbol of generation or enduring life.

ankh

/ æŋk /

noun

1. a tau cross with a loop on the top, symbolizing eternal life: often appearing in Egyptian personal names, such as Tutankhamen Also calledansate crosscrux ansata

Word History and Origins

Origin of ankh¹

First recorded in 1885–90; from Egyptian ʿnh̬ “live”; apparently at least partially homophonous with word for “sandal strap,” hence stylized picture of sandal strap became symbol for life

Word History and Origins

Origin of ankh¹

from Egyptian `nh life, soul

Example Sentences

Who can resist hoop earrings, especially ones with an empowering ankh dagger charm for protection?

From Los Angeles Times

Corona showed me a collection of murals inside the courtyard with Black and Latino motifs: monarch butterflies, ankhs, Aztec gods, and an ibis in red, black and green, the colors of the Pan-African flag.

From Los Angeles Times

An Egyptian performer dressed as a pharaoh rode back and forth in a chariot wielding an ankh, the ancient Egyptian symbol of life, as a band played “Katyusha,” a Soviet-era patriotic war song.

From New York Times

She has three tattoos, including an ankh tattoo, the Egyptian symbol of life, on her ankle; a picture of a girl on her right thigh; and a tribal symbol below her chest.

From Los Angeles Times

He started dressing differently, wearing headwraps, multi-colored dashikis and long wooden necklaces with heavy ankhs dangling from the end.

From Salon