5) Tarot Symbolism: “ANKH”

Origins of the symbol “Ankh”:

 The Ankh symbol is the most commonly found Egyptian iconography from ancient times, but its origins have still not being conclusively determined. 

Meanings attributed to the Ankh symbol:

i)              The symbol only represents a major role played by the Nile in sustaining life and bringing about prosperity in the land along its Banks with the oval head representing the Nile Delta and the vertical mark representing the path of the River or the two sides of the Land through which the Nile flows. As such the Ankh is also called the “Key of the Nile” or the ‘Key of Life”. As such, the Ankh may have also symbolized the purifying power of water or its life sustaining qualities. As a corollary to the above interpretation, the Ankh may represent the life-giving elements of air and water. It was often shown as being offered to the King’s lips as a symbol of the “breath of Life” or even “eternal life”. Depictions of the Ankh sometimes show it holding an ostrich – like feather fan behind the pharaoh.

ii)           The first pharaoh that we know of who has an “ankh” in his name was “Tut –ankh – amun”, the boy king. A gilded mirror case in the shape of the Ankh was found in his tomb. It is said that his father “Amun” was a God symbolized by the rising sun (the loop representing the Sun rising above the horizon represented by the cross-bar and the vertical rod representing the Sun’s transit path during the day). Why the Sun: The sun is vital to sustenance of life on Earth – the abundant crops on the banks of the Nile which was vital to the Egyptians existence.

 The sun disc, the “Aten” was often depicted with small ankhs at the end of its rays which extended down to the royal family.

iii)          Another interpretation is that the symbol is a kind of totem pole representing the male and female reproductive parts, in a manifestation of sexual symbolism. The loop of the Ankh is held by the Gods. It is associated with Isis and Osiris in the Early Dynastic Period. The loop of the Ankh represents the female principle or the Womb, while, the elongated section represents the masculine principle which together create life. It was also believed that it symbolized the mystical union of Osiris and Isis which is said to have caused the flooding of the Nile, which has provided the people of Egypt with all their basic needs ever since. The union of Osiris and Isis is said to be the start of the creation of life which is symbolized by the Ankh.

iv)         Another interpretation is that the “ankh”, “djed” and “was” symbols are derived from ancient cattle culture with “ankh” being the “symbol of Life” (thoracic vertebra of a bull), the “djed” being a symbol of stability (base on sacrum of a bull’s spine) and the “was” (symbol of power and dominion or Strength).

v)           Some Egyptologists call the symbol a “belt – buckle” of the mother Goddess Isis, a sandal strap with a loop going around the ankle (as the word for sandal strap is also spelt almost similarly although with a different pronunciation).

vi)         Since the origin of the symbol Ankh has not been conclusively determined, let me also add to the confusion with my own “profound” theory on the subject (J).  In Sanskrit, an Indian language, the word “Ankh” simply means an “Eye”.  Therefore, the “Ankh” symbol looks very much like a “monocle”, i.e. if you treat the circle portion of the Ankh symbol as a lens or a “seeing eye”. The monocle, put into use by the Europeans and Westerners many centuries later, enhances the vision of a person suffering from poor eyesight, therefore as it supplements the vision and helps gain a clear focus on the object being seen or read, it is given the name of “Ankh” or “seeing eye” or “clear or focused” vision or a “fresh lease of vision” (life?) to the person with poor eyesight. I wonder if my theory has enough backers to start a serious enquiry on the subject (:-).

Depictons/Uses of the Ankh over the centuries:

i)                    The Ankh is one of the symbols that represent the immortality and the equilibrium of life, thus, it is also associated with life after death. The dead are referred to as “ankhu” and the sarcophagi were called the “neb-ankh” (possessor of life).

ii)           It is a symbol for the power to give and sustain physical life as well as eternal life; the Ankh is associated with material things such as water, air, and sun as well as with the Gods. The Ankh appears in Egyptian tomb paintings and other art, often at the fingertips of a God or Goddess in images that represent these deities conferring the gift of life on a dead person’s mummy and symbolizing the act of conception or “initiating life”. The Ankh symbolizes eternal life and bestows immortality on anyone who possessed it. It is believed that life energy emitted from the Ankh can be absorbed by anyone within certain proximity. An Ankh serves as an antenna or conduit for the divine power of life that permeates the universe. The amulet is a powerful talisman that provides the wearer with protection from the evil forces of decay and degeneration.

iii)          Several Gods/Goddesses – Anqet, Anubis, Hathor, Isis, Osiris, Ra, Sekmet, Sobek, Thoth etc. are often depicted as holding the Ankh symbol along with a scepter and in various tomb and temple reliefs, placing it in front of the King’s face symbolizing the breath of eternal life. The Ankh of the God Anubis is related to the protection of the dead, that of Sekmet related to war and that of Hapi related to the living waters of the Nile and that of Amun – the breath of life.

iv)         The Egyptian King is often depicted with the Ankh, either in possession of an Ankh (providing life to his people) or being given an Ankh (or stream of Ankhs) by the Gods. It is usually worn as an amulet to extend the life of the living and placed on the mummy to energize the resurrected spirit. The Gods and Kings are often shown carrying the Ankh to distinguish them from mere mortals. In the movie “Kull the Conqueror”, Kull upon his coronation is shown as holding an Ankh symbol in his right hand and a staff or “Lath” (The symbol of power in his left hand).

v)           Since the Ankh also represents water, in several frescos/wall depictions in Egyptian temples, the Pharaoh/King is depicted as being flanked by two Gods – one of whom is often Thoth who showers a stream of libations (regenerating power of water) in the form of Ankhs over the Pharaoh’s head. Further, in some tombs in the Valley of the Kings, there are life-size frescoes of the goddesses Isis and Nepthys bending gently with water flowing from their hands symbolizing the Kings eternal life in the World beyond.

vi)         The symbol as an extension of the above concept is also found on two figurines of the snake goddess found in the palace of Knossos. Both figurines have a knot with a projecting loop cord between their breasts.

vii)        In astrology the Ankh is the symbol o the planet Venus or the goddess Aphrodite both of whom are associated with generous, unbounded physical love. The Ankh is therefore also called the mirror of Venus”.

viii)       In alchemy, this symbol is associated with copper (the heavy mining of which gave Cyprus its name).

ix)         The Ankh symbol is said to have been found in Minoan and Mycenaean sites. In Mycenaean Greek script, the Ankh is also a phonetic sign “za” or “sa” (the hieroglyphic symbol representing magical protection.

x)             The Ankh has also appeared in coins from ancient Cyprus and Asia Minor.

xi)         The symbol has also been associated with the Tjet emblem (knot of Isis) described as a ceremonial girdle. Another theory connects the Ankh with the royal cartouche in which the King’s name was written.

xii)        Another representation of the symbol shows it in the form of chains wherein several Ankh symbols are consecutively linked to each other. Such patterns are depicted on water vessels through which water is being poured, thus symbolizing the power of water.

xiii)       In some places, the word “nkh” (ankh) means a mirror and many mirrors were shaped like the Ankh.

xiv)      It is interesting to note that the Copts in Egypt have adopted the ancient Egyptian “Ankh” in their representation of the Cross (familiarly known as the Coptic Cross or “Crux Ansata” – Cross with a handle).

xv)       Numerous examples of the Ankh are found in metal, clay and wood. This symbol pervaded usage in many ways, from Royal and religious and cultural ceremonies (Libation vessels which held the water in religious ceremonies were themselves sometimes produced in the shape of the Ankh hieroglyph). Also, the symbol is represented in several household items and pictures including in mirrors, sistrums, spoons, crockery items etc as a talisman.

 Ankh Symbolism in Tarot:

-      The appearance of an Ankh in a Tarot card/reading urges the querent to focus his/her thought processes to accept the magical power of living in the Now and his connection to the Universe. The Ankh is a constant reminder to him/her that he/she should constantly adopt a holistic approach to  life and live life to the full, because the querent is protected by energies of the Universal natural forces, much like the Ancient Egyptian Kings, whose connection with the Gods and afterlife was symbolized by the Ankh.

-      As a corollary, the Ankh finds a place in Tarot card images where it represents Isis’ knot, Seth’s ladder, etc. indicating the querent’s eternal connection with the Gods and the Universal Forces, as well as his special qualities both manifest as well as inherent in him which place him much above others in tackling the issues at hand and is a symbol of positive energies that bring life and beneficial outcomes with them for the querent.

-      The Ankh symbol is looked upon as a portal to other dimensions. The Ankh is therefore said to be a key/keyhole that “unlocks the realms of the dead”. The Egyptians used this symbol to represent a portal to the dead. This viewpoint led to an abundance of Ankh related paintings/symbols/sculptures in Egyptian tomb Art. Thus, the presence of the symbol in a Reading indicates that the querent should look at life through a key hole to find new “dimensions” or perspectives to the issues confronting him/her.

-      The Ankh symbol in the Rider Waite Deck is found in the Emperor Card and can also appear in other cards to portray other meanings of the Ankh.

-      The Ankh symbol in the Emperor card may symbolize the desire to rule over one’s surroundings and its appearance in a reading often suggests that the subject needs to accept some things may not be controllable, and that those with whom he interacts may not like being controlled.

-      The Ankh in the Emperor Card also indicates that the querent has to overcome rigidity in his character. Some rigidity of thinking, some inflexibility of approach, some external forces are keeping him from achieving his goals/objectives.  If at all the querent’s “Royal” (overbearing) traits should manifest themselves, these should be more in the nature of a “benevolent” Royal who is aware of the feelings and interpretations of his “subjects” and always works to the mutual benefit of all, rather than being of a “dictatorial disposition”. The querent needs to be in a position of benevolent authority in his area of interaction. He should allow more freedom to his subordinates and members of his family and persons he interacts with, yet protect them from outside harmful influences.-       

-      Sometimes, the Emperor may represent similar exterior forces or pressures which the querent must stand up to and either accommodate or confront.

-      Again, in the Rider-Waite Tarot (Arthur Edward Waite), the Empress, representing the Earth Mother, shows a heart shaped cushion on which is emblazoned a prominent Ankh.

-      In the Elemental Tarot, the following cards show depictions of the Ankh:

          

i)      Death: This card is called “Transformation” in this deck. A black shrouded figure holds an ankh, a symbol of life and the key to the wisdom of the portal of the afterlife, also indicating the universal process of renewal, death and rebirth.

            

ii)           Sun: This card is called “Awareness” in this deck and shows a glowing orange sun with an Ankh contained in the middle of the Sun’s orb. This is a depiction of the life sustaining effects of the Sun’s energies without which our planet could have been reduced to a lifeless cold “Rock” in the Universe. Also, this Card indicates, that through wisdom and knowledge, and proper utilization of one’s resources, the querent can achieve perpetual/eternal happiness and contentment not only for himself, but also, for those he seeks to protect and nurture. It is also a symbol of divine protection and freedom to the querent.

iii)          Judgement:  This card is called “Forgiveness” in this deck. In the necklace on the male figure depicted on this card, is shown a circle and a cross, both separated. This symbolism has been described as the glyph of Pluto, the planet of transformation. The imagery also, seems to represent an “Ankh”, with the circle separated from the cross (Remember that in early depictions of the Ankh, the Circle was shown as a separate unit from the cross section.) Thus, in my interpretation, the adornment around the man’s neck is also a representation of the Ankh.

In the Aleister Crowley Thoth Tarot, the Ankh symbol is seen in the Tarot Trumps Moon and the Hanged Man.

The Moon (Tarot Trump XVIII), shows an Anubis figure on each side holding an Ankh. Anubis is the God of death and his Ankh is related to the protection of the Dead. The message of this Card is that although back-stabbing and deception may surround the Querent, there is no need to despair, as he is connected with the Protective forces of the Universe, and though all may seem lost, his connection with the Universal Life forces and the immense strength within him will help him to overcome the odds.

The Hanged Man (Tarot Trump XII) shows the figure of Osiris and indicates that although the querent may have been rendered immobile/ stagnant temporarily, his foot is bound to the Ankh of Immortality (indicating his connection with Universal Life Forces), as such this is a time to meditate on his predicament and his life's goals, meanings and spirituality. This time shall pass and he will emerge a stronger person from this experience.

In the Haindl Tarot, created by Hermann Haindl, the Ankh symbol is seen in the Tarot Trump the Emperor as seen in the image below:

The Emperor holds a stylised cross symbol in his right hand and an orb in his left hand, symbolising an Ankh where the circle and the cross portions are separated as in the earliest depictions of the Ankh, showing his Royal status and connection with the Gods.

In this Haindl portrayal of the King of Swords (Father of the Swords in the North), Ra the sun God (symbolic Father of Tut - Ankh - Amun and the force that makes the Nile give prosperity to the lands that it passes through among other interpretations) uses his power and Energy to play its role in maintaining  the Universal Laws of Nature in the World as well as bring life and prosperity. Ra holds an Ankh in his right hand (connection with the Gods and other worlds) and a staff in his left hand symbolising benevolent power. 

Here in this Card symbolising the Wheel of Fortune in the Haindl Tarot, we see the figure of Anubis holding an Ankh in his right hand. Anubis appears on the lower half of the turning Wheel of Fortune, symbolising that in the turning wheel of fortune and with the passage of time, nothing is permanent and whatever is born must be destroyed, only to be born anew. Thus, the querent should not view his achievements as permanent, but should constantly draw upon his inner resources to handle any eventuality.

4) Tarot Symbolism: The Caduceus:

The “Caduceus” is a Greek symbol representing the staff carried by Hermes in Greek Mythology. In Roman mythology, Hermes is called Mercury, the “Messenger of the Gods”. In Egypt, he is associated with the ancient Wisdom God Thoth.

The Caduceus in Greek means the “Herald’s staff” and is also carried by Iris, the messenger of the Greek Goddess Hera (wife of Zeus, King of the Gods). 

 Although the term Caduceus has come from the Greek “Kerukion” or “Herald’s Staff”, it is different from Kerukion, in that, the latter may represent any herald’s staff including that of Hermes, whereas Caduceus essentially means “Hermes’ staff”.

The Caduceus Symbol:

The symbol consists of a short staff on which are entwined two serpents, sometimes depicted by wings or a Lion at the Apex of the staff.  Symbols resembling the Caduceus have been found on ancient Mesopotamian cylindrical seals. 

Hermes in an earlier form was, also, the Underworld God “Ningishzida” or “Messenger of the Earth Mother”. In Egyptian iconography, the “Djed” pillar is shown as containing a snake in a frieze of the “Dendera Temple complex”. 

The Rod of Moses and the brazen serpent are often associated with the Caduceus, especially as Moses was said to be acting as a “Messenger of God” to the Pharaoh and his staff changes into a snake to put forward his view-point of God’s wrath befalling the Pharaoh and his countrymen for not following God’s will.

Origins of the symbol Caduceus:

In Mythology, Apollo (the Sun-God) is said to have given the Caduceus as a return gift for Hermes (his half-brother) having gifted Apollo a lyre made from a tortoise shell as compensation for having stolen Apollo’s cattle. 

Another Greek myth goes like this – Hermes saw the two serpents wrapped around each other in mortal combat (much like the Red and the White dragons in Arthurian Tarot – Please refer my Post on the “Lemniscate or the Symbol of Infinity” – Magician Card in the previous post on this blog). He separated them with his wand and brought about peace between them. 

The Caduceus is also seen as a symbol of peace, in keeping with this legend.

A “Caduceator” in the Roman Empire referred to as a peace-maker, who negotiated peace under the “diplomatic protection” of the Caduceus which he took with him as a symbol that he was an ambassador of peace.

Caduceus symbol Relevance: 

-      In Dictionaries, it is mentioned as a “Commercial Term”, in consonance with Hermes being associated with Commerce.

-      The God Hermes or Mercury  stands for education, letters, argument, logic, brotherhood, geometry, commerce, community, messaging, service, profit, discoveries. The symbol as a representation of Hermes also is a symbol for Trades, occupations and associations represented by the God. 

-      Hermes is the giver of discernment and judgment and governs sculptors, teachers, lawyers, orators, philosophers, architects, musicians, diviners – those who use paradox and craftiness in calculations and those who make their livings from display, vagrancy and unsettled conditions, those who are experts and inquirers concerning celestial phenomena and the Caduceus symbol announces his presence.

-      It is also an astrological symbol representing the planet Mercury as well as the element Mercury. Further, as Hermes was also a magician/trickster par excellence, it is also a symbol used in alchemy  (an earlier stage of chemistry its focus being on turning base metals into gold and finding the elixir of life – “ alkimiya” in Arabic).

-      The caduceus is also a symbol representing peace and negotiation. 

-      As Mercury is adept in the art of writing and eloquence, the symbol also represents printing. Printers saw themselves as messengers of the printed word and diffusers of knowledge, hence took the Caduceus as a symbol.

-      The Caduceus is another symbol of the dual nature of the astral light and stands for the opposing currents of universal magnetism. One snake represents creativity, while the other one represents fire which destroys, in order to recreate/regenerate. As the snake casts off its skin and thereby renews its outer covering, it is supposed to be having an eternal life in Greek/Roman Mythology.

Caduceus and the Rod of Asclepius:

The Caduceus is  often mistaken as a symbol of medicine and medical practice, however, it differs from the Rod of Asclepius , in that, there is only one snake on the Rod of Asclepius symbol representing medicine and medical practice and no wings on the top of the Rod. 

The link between Caduceus and medicine seems to have come from the fact that Hermes is linked to alchemy. Alchemists were referred to as the sons of Hermes, as Hermeticists and as “practitioners of the hermetic arts”.

The Caduceus was the magic staff of Hermes (Mercury), the God of eloquence, invention, travel and theft, and, therefore, is not a symbol of medicine. 

The mistaken interpretation of the Caduceus as a symbol of Medicine/Medical Science is primarily due to the fact that it is used as an emblem by the US Army Medical Corps the beginning of the twentieth century.

Most Medical Organizations, for example, the Medical Council of New Zealand, use the correct and traditional symbol of medicine, the staff of Asclepius with a single serpent encircling a staff, classically a rough hewn knotty tree limb. 

Asclepius was an ancient Greek physician, said to be a mortal son of Apollo, deified as the God of Medicine and is portrayed holding a large staff with the sacred single serpent coiled around it, symbolizing the renewal of youth, just as the serpent casts off its skin.

It is believed that the filarial worm crawls about the patient’s body just under the skin. In ancient Greece, the physicians used to make small cuts on the patient’s skin and hold a small rod around which the worm used to crawl out of the patient’s body and wrap itself. The filarial worm was nicknamed the “fiery serpent” because of the discomfort it caused to the patient. 

This infection was so common that physicians used to advertise their skills at curing patients by showing a sign with a worm wrapped around a stick, hence the origins to the symbol of Asclepius as a medical symbol.

A picture of the Rod of Asclepius taken from an ambulance in a Pune Hospital. In India Medical Institutions use the correct symbol - The Rod of Asclepius.

Symbolic Interpretations in Tarot:

-      The Caduceus gives a message of balancing duality or an equilibrium between opposite polarities. An occult interpretation of the two serpents is that they represent positive and negative kundalini as it moves through the chakras and around the spine (the staff) to the head.

-      In several Magician Cards the Caduceus appears as a Wand of Hermes symbolizing the dual energy of the two snakes entwined in balance around the staff and exhibits elements of the qualities that Hermes stands for i.e. from being a wandering performer and diviner, to his association with commerce, education, letters and numbers etc.

-      “The Devil” Card is sometimes shown with a Caduceus somewhere in its imagery. The Caduceus here symbolizes the two snakes representing the dark side and the light, two aspects of personality in each one of us, co-existence and balance between which may be a judicious way forward. The symbol in the Devil Card, thus, offers one the “freedom to choose” without any bindings on the querent, whether to choose a balanced path or to follow a negative path leading to self destruction.

-      In the “Two of Cups” Card the symbol represents partnerships or associations in marriage/business etc. by combining the different synergies of the two persons or enterprises to the mutual benefit of both, leading to a desired common goal.

-      Serpents represent renewal, because of their shedding their skins. In other words, when the symbol appears in a Reading, it may suggest a new beginning by shedding off the old trappings, a process of purification of sorts and thinking anew towards the desired goals.

-      The symbol in Alchemy is interpreted as one serpent representing “sulphur” (male) and the other representing “quicksilver” (female). The central staff represents the collective wisdom of the Eons, pertaining to the balance between opposites, so as to achieve harmony or find a common ground in duality. In Tarot Cards, therefore, the message is logically, one of co-operation between opposite personalities to attain a common desired objective.

A few examples from Tarot Decks in my Tarot Library:

Arthur Waite Deck:

Two of Cups: (Rider Waite):

In the two of cups are shown a man and a woman exchanging cups in what appears to be a celebration of sorts with the Caduceus of Hermes between them.

 The Caduceus here seems to stand for a positive beginning for new partnerships, proposals, marriages, businesses and indicates that the new relationship could be very successful. It also indicates that two persons (opposites) are coming together and pooling their resources in order to achieve an objective or a common/cherished goal. 

The Caduceus in this card is a symbol of passion, courage, energy suggesting that these two persons may have mutual admiration for each other’s characteristics, though they may not necessarily exhibit them openly. The two snakes represent the darkness and light, two aspects in each one of us, co-existence and balance between which may be a judicious way forward.

Mythic Tarot:

Judgement:

This card shows Hermes, who had appeared as the Fool’s inner guide in the Card of the Magician at the beginning of his life’s journey as a trickster and a mentor to the Fool as well as a Magus who points the way out of tricky situations , in a new role as an emissary of Hades, the Lord of the Underworld. In this Card his role transforms from the mentor and counselor in the Magician card to that of a summoner of lost souls taking account of their deeds while they were alive and preparing them for either reincarnation or freedom from rebirth (Reward) or taking them to the depths of the Underworld (Punishment).

The Caduceus with its two serpents entwined on the Rod here is indicative of his role as a Messenger of the God Hades.

Magician :  

The Caduceus in this card represents Hermes’ Magic Wand with the good and evil snakes, male and female, opposites or darkness and light. 

Here Hermes is represented as a guide of travelers, thieves and deceivers, master of Magic , showing the path to fortunes and destiny. He is a trickster, par excellence, yet through his powers of oratory and skills, he is the trusted messenger of the Gods and Guide of souls into the Underworld. 

He is the guide and a spiritual teacher to the Fool and points to the creative abilities within the querent which are yet to manifest telling him to balance the opposite polarities within his personality and characteristics and to achieve his goals through a balanced approach, much like the snakes entwined and balanced on the Rod forming the Caduceus.

The Wheel of Change Tarot

Magician Card:

The card  shows two pillars on either side of the Magician which have a snake each wrapped on them, in a symbolic reference to the Caduceus of Hermes.

The Caduceus illustrates the magical circumstances of life that unites the heavens (ideas/thought processes) with the Earth (represented by the physical self) highlighting Hermes’ role as a messenger of the Gods.

The Thoth Tarot:

In the Crowley deck, the Magician in all three Magus Cards represents Thoth the Egyptian God of Wisdom who is also Hermes or Mercury. The caduceus appears in all three cards in different styles – In the first representation, the Magus himself is the symbolic representation of the Staff and the two snakes are wrapped around his head. In the second card, the Caduceus is placed around his head while in the third representation, the Caduceus is placed in front of the Magus. 

A Reader or querent is free to choose whichever card he prefers, thanks to Werner Ganser, who discovered the existence of all three cards during a visit to the Warburg Institute in London, where these cards were displayed.
 

This Card the Five of Wands (titled – strife) in the Thoth Tarot, shows the Caduceus, the Phoenix and the Lotus arranged in a manner showing their disproportionate sizes/stances are now trying to achieve harmony within the discord or stance.

  

This is an image of the Six of Wands (titled – victory) showing that the Wands depicted by the Caduceus, the Phoenix and Lotus are now arranged in aggressive and peaceful opposites, (a process which had been initiated by the Five of Wands) and have now been properly balanced.

An image of the Devil in the Thoth Tarot, showing the Caduceus in front. The Devil represents the dark and lighted sides of one’s personality or circumstances and lets the querent either choose one or the other side  or take a balanced approach to the issues at hand.

                                                    HOME
                                                    NEXT