Thoth & Ankh - The Life Key {The Egyptian Explained}

                                              

                                                                   Thoth holding the Ankh 

This is a mural in the Abu Simbel temple from the era of Ramses II. In it, there is Thoth, one of the gods in ancient Egyptian culture associated with wisdom, science, art, and knowledge. Ramses II was one of the most well-recognized kings of Ancient Egypt. He was among the kings and queens affiliated with the golden era legacy of ancient Egypt. The country witnessed stability and prosperity during his reign.

Side note: Abu Simbel is considered his architectural masterpiece. Each year on his birthday, the sun becomes perpendicular to the face of Ramses II.

Ancient Egyptian religion had multiple gods — the faith was polytheistic. Not all gods were prominent in every era. In this mural, the god Thoth is seated on a throne, while Pharaoh Ramses II is shown showing respect. This reflects much about that time. It could be seen as a convergence between the tangible and the intangible.

In this mural, Thoth is also holding the Ankh. The Ankh symbolizes the key of life. Life held many aspects in ancient Egypt. One significant aspect was the afterlife and its relation to earthly life. The belief system incorporated accountability for one's lived values in the presence of the gods in the afterlife. In fact, most monuments left from ancient Egypt were primarily created for the afterlife of prominent figures. This again exemplifies the convergence between the tangible and intangible.

The Ankh also represented the integration of life’s elements and meanings. This included the living environment — sun, earth, water, and air — such as the Nile, which was a vital source of life in Egypt. It also symbolized the integration between male and female forces in life. It was a depiction of life in its broadest sense, beyond the purely physical into the realm of meaning.