Following on from our last featured 3D print, we have chosen this design of an Egyptian Ankh. It is very simple, pleasing to the eye and easy to make. The ancient Egyptian symbol of eternal life has been kicking around for a few millennia so it is not exactly cutting edge but 3D printing them is a new development in their history.
The Ankh represents the idea of Eternal life but is sometimes also called the key of the Nile and was adopted later by the Coptic Christians as their cross. It is perhaps one of the most potent and instantly recognisable of all the ancient symbols.
Nobody who has ever been to Egypt will have failed to see thousands of these for sale around the wonderful archaeological sites as tourist trinkets nor will they have failed to notice them on so many ancient temples and tombs. The Gods were nearly always seen with one of them, carrying it by the loop or having two of them with arms folded across their chest. We find all the famous Gods like Anqet, Ptah, Satet, Sobek, Tefnut, Osiris, Ra, Isis, Hathor, Anibus carrying the Ankh.
The history of the Ankh is very uncertain with scholars totally disagreeing with one another about how it came into being. The origin of the sacred symbol is basically unknown. We wonder what the rulers of ancient Egypt would have thought if they only knew we were 3D printing their key of life.
The downloads section is now closed but if you would like a copy of this 3D print then please contact the designer – petrykowski.marc(at)gmail.com.