The Ankh was the Egyptian hieroglyphic character that read "life," a triliteral sign for the consonants. Egyptian gods are often portrayed carrying it by its loop, or bearing one in each hand, arms crossed over their chest. It is also known as the key of life, the key of the Nile, or as crux ansata, Latin for "cross with a handle". The Ankh also appears to be associated with the Egyptian glyph for magical protection, sa..
