Did Christianity Steal the Egyptian Ankh?

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Uploaded 24-10-19

The Egyptian hieroglyphic ankh looks kind of similar to the Christian cross. This has lead some conspiracy theorists to argue that Christians copied the ankh for their own religious symbol: the cross. This his basically false, BUT there is a very interesting exception: the crux ansata...a Christian cross that syncretizes with the Egyptian ankh. What does this tell us about early Christianity?

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Bibliography:
David Frankfurter, "Syncretism and the Holy Man in Late Antique Egypt," Journal of Early Christian Studies, Volume 11, Number 3, 2003.

Kim Bowes, "Christianization and the Rural Home," Journal of Early Christian Studies, 15 (2), 143-170.

Roy Kotansky, "The Magic 'Crucifixion Gem in the British Museum," Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies 57 (2017), 631-659.

Photograph Attributions:
Temple of Horus at Edfou, Egypt. Attributed to David Broad:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Temple_of_Horus_at_Edfou,_Egypt_-_panoramio_(1).jpg

Ankh hematite gem. 15th century BCE. From Thebes, Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Tomb of Hatnefer and Ramose:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cowroid_Inscribed_with_an_Ankh_MET_36.3.48_EGDP021440.jpg

Faience ankh, from Meroe. Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London. Attributed to Shukir Muhammed Amin:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Faience_ankh_showing_the_cartouches_and_epithets_of_Aspelta._Votive_offering._From_Meroe,_modern-day_Sudan._The_Petrie_Museum_of_Egyptian_Archaeology,_London.jpg

Temple of Seti I, Abydos, Egypt. Attributed to Bernard Dupont:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Painted_Relief_of_Seti_I_receiving_the_sign_of_life_from_Thot_..._(36316065400).jpg

Ankh Amulet:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Amulet_with_ankhs_MET_22.1.281.jpg
1981 - 1640 BCE, From Memphite Region, Tomb 954, Burial 954L

Alexamenos graffito:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alexamenos_graffito.PNG

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Military_and_religious_life_in_the_Middle_Ages_and_at_the_period_of_the_Renaissance_(1870)_(14784757102).jpg

Jesus Crucifixion mosaic, Attributed to Jordiferrer
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2016_Santuario_di_Santa_Rita_(Roccaporena)_13.jpg

Cross GGNC grave marker, attributed to BrokenSphere / Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cross_GGNC_grave_marker_engraving_2.JPG

Codex Glazier, attribution Morgan Library and Museum, New York:
https://www.themorgan.org/manuscript/77061

Late Antique Dedicatory Cross from the Walters Museum,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Byzantine_-_Votive_or_Dedicatory_Cross_-_Walters_57630.jpg

Egyptian Gem, Photo attributed to Chris Faraone, © Trustees of the British Museum. http://www2.szepmuveszeti.hu/talismans/cbd/137?lang1=default&description1=Horus&mdesc=false&lang2=default&multiple_cond=and

British Museum Ankh Amulet: © Trustees of the British Museum
https://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectid=116250&partid=1&searchtext=+%09faience+amulet+in+the+shape+of+an+ankh&page=1



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