Decoding Ancient Symbols: The Meaning of the Ankh and the Giving Hieroglyph in Egyptian Art

The Ankh and the Triangle (Giving symbol) appearing together in Egyptian hieroglyphs often convey significant meanings related to life, offerings, and divine sustenance.
The ankh is one of the most recognized Egyptian hieroglyphs. It symbolizes life, immortality, and the breath of life. Deities, pharaohs, and even the deceased are often depicted holding the ankh, reinforcing its connection to eternal existence and divine favor. It was also linked to water, air, and fertility—essential elements for sustaining life.

The triangle-shaped hieroglyph, often interpreted as the "giving" or "offering" symbol, represents the act of presenting something—often food, water, or other sacred gifts—to the gods, pharaohs, or the dead in religious rituals. This gesture was fundamental in Egyptian temples and funerary inscriptions, emphasizing reciprocity between deities and humans.

When the ankh and the giving symbol appear together in inscriptions, they typically mean something like:

• "Giving life" (often from a god to a pharaoh)
• "Granting eternal life" (common in funerary contexts)
• "Offering the gift of life" (sometimes depicted in scenes where a deity extends the ankh to a ruler's nose, symbolizing the breath of life)
  

This pairing is commonly found in temples, tombs, and religious artifacts, reinforcing the Egyptian belief in divine blessings and the afterlife. 

On a recent trip to Egypt, we were inspired by the symbolism of these hieroglyphic symbols. Seeing as asymmetrical earrings are back in fashion we created these unique Egyptian inspired earrings and officially added the "giving" symbol to our product line.