Home › Glossary › Letter A

Ankh

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The ancient Egyptian symbol of life, resembling a cross with a looped top

Detailed Definition
The Ankh was carried by gods and pharaohs, representing eternal life and divine power. It was used in art, amulets, and rituals. Poets use the Ankh as a universal emblem of vitality, spiritual awakening, and the interconnectedness of mortal and divine existence—often in lyrical invocations of healing and immortality.
Example
Example in poetry:
Ankh, the cross with loop, symbol of eternal life; Poets describe gods offering the Ankh to pharaohs as breath and blessing; In love poems, lovers exchange Ankh-shaped vows; The Ankh appears in spells to revive the weary soul; Its shape combines male and female, life and eternity; Verse likens the Ankh to a key unlocking the gates of heaven.
Additional Notes
The Ankh is the iconic Egyptian symbol of life, resembling a cross with a looped top; it was carried by gods and pharaohs to bestow life—poets can use the Ankh as a universal emblem of vitality, eternal life, or the divine gift of breath and being.
Also Known As
Ankh symbol Key of Life
Skip to main content