Ask a Question - or - Return to the Spiritual Warfare Forum Index

Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Ankh (Egyptian cross)	Louis	Thursday, August 29, 2013
Question: Is the ankh (Egyptian cross with a loop) occultic? Is there any sort of Christian meaning in it? I've seen Christians wearing it and read different meanings for it in the internet (depending on whose website you are browsing). Can a Christian wear it or would it bring to the user or wearer negative spiritual consequences. Having seen the ankh advertised as an amulet in supermarket tabloids and magazines, it was my impression that it had occult use or meaning, but I would like your opinion on it so I can know (and tell others) about it.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), CCL, LTh, DD, LNDC Dear Louis: The Ankh is an Egyptian symbol from a hieroglyphic meaning life. It is sometimes called the Key of Life. The symbol has been used by various cultures, but is more popular and frequent, from what I understand in Egyptian culture. You can find more info at this site. Because of its cruciform the Ankh is use apparently as a cross in the Coptic Orthodox Church. Even if other early Christians adopted this ancient symbol (co-opting ancient symbols was common in the early Church), I would not recommend wearing it. Today, this symbol is so intertwined with the occult, paganism, and other non-Christian sects that I do not believe it would be prudent to wear this symbol. There are plenty of other cruciform symbols to choose from that have a long history within the Church. See Christian symbols and their Meaning. Since there are dozens of other cruciforms to choose from, the question is, why does a person want this particular symbol.?This is the question to ask of any Christian that wears the Ankh. The motivation can imply the reason and may imply a spiritual confusion or just ignorance, which can sometimes catch the attention of demons. Unless the person is wearing it specifically for occult or pagan reasons, or is participating in non-Christian activities, wearing the Ankh, in-and-of-itself would be a low priority concern. But... let me put it this way: If swimming in shark infested waters with life bait tied to your arm you may not catch the attention of the sharks, but that is no guarantee. So why tempt the sharks? Doing so may be at one's peril. We must also remember St.Paul's warnings: (1 Cor 6:12) "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything." (1 Cor 10:23) "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up." God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Ankh (Egyptian cross)

Louis

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Question:

Is the ankh (Egyptian cross with a loop) occultic? Is there any sort of Christian meaning in it? I've seen Christians wearing it and read different meanings for it in the internet (depending on whose website you are browsing). Can a Christian wear it or would it bring to the user or wearer negative spiritual consequences. Having seen the ankh advertised as an amulet in supermarket tabloids and magazines, it was my impression that it had occult use or meaning, but I would like your opinion on it so I can know (and tell others) about it.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OMSM(r), CCL, LTh, DD, LNDC

Dear Louis:

The Ankh is an Egyptian symbol from a hieroglyphic meaning life. It is sometimes called the Key of Life. The symbol has been used by various cultures, but is more popular and frequent, from what I understand in Egyptian culture. You can find more info at this site.

Because of its cruciform the Ankh is use apparently as a cross in the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Even if other early Christians adopted this ancient symbol (co-opting ancient symbols was common in the early Church), I would not recommend wearing it. Today, this symbol is so intertwined with the occult, paganism, and other non-Christian sects that I do not believe it would be prudent to wear this symbol. There are plenty of other cruciform symbols to choose from that have a long history within the Church.

See Christian symbols and their Meaning.

Since there are dozens of other cruciforms to choose from, the question is, why does a person want this particular symbol.?This is the question to ask of any Christian that wears the Ankh. The motivation can imply the reason and may imply a spiritual confusion or just ignorance, which can sometimes catch the attention of demons.

Unless the person is wearing it specifically for occult or pagan reasons, or is participating in non-Christian activities, wearing the Ankh, in-and-of-itself would be a low priority concern. But... let me put it this way: If swimming in shark infested waters with life bait tied to your arm you may not catch the attention of the sharks, but that is no guarantee. So why tempt the sharks? Doing so may be at one's peril.

We must also remember St.Paul's warnings:

(1 Cor 6:12) "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything."

(1 Cor 10:23) "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up."

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.