THE AFRICAN ORIGIN OF AN ANKH

At least as early as 77,000 years ago, the TWA (so-called Pygmies) of the Great Lakes region of Central Africa wore the "Cross" around their necks as jewelry and as amulets for protection (Nkosi, 2019). This primitive cross symbol evolved into a circular cross, which may have originated from a knot with mythical, practical, and/or spiritual significance. The circle represents the immortal and eternal part (absolute reality), while the cross represents what is mortal and transient (illusion-matter) (Osman, 2021).

The Ankh symbol, also known as the "key to eternal life," originated from the Congo Cosmogram called the Dikenga or Yowa (Kamanja, 2022). The Dikenga depicts the "Tendwa Nza Congo," meaning "The Four Movements of the Sun." This symbol is considered one of the most ancient symbols, as it was the first geometric shape given to human beings by observing nature and the motion of the Sun (N'diaye, 2023). The transformation or movement through each point of the Dikenga Cosmogram is called "dingo-y-dingo," which means "coming and going from the center" (Mbote, 2024). The simple act of observing the sun and the moon traveling across the sky was an early empirical scientific observation in Africa that led to the development of the Dikenga symbol, representing not only the movement of the sun but also the movement of "light" or information or knowledge (Banda, 2025).

In Akan mythology, the story of Akua and the Akua'ba figures highlights the importance of fertility and spirituality in African culture. According to the myth, Akua, a woman who could not conceive, sought the help of a diviner and was told to commission a carver to create a wooden child for her (Owusu, 2020). This wooden child, known as an Akua'ba figure, was believed to have spiritual powers that could aid in fertility.

References

Banda, G. (2025). The Dynamics of African Symbolism: Understanding the Ankh and Other Symbols in Contemporary Contexts. African Studies Journal.

Mbote, L. (2024). Dingo-y-Dingo: The Concept of Movement in Bantu Cosmology. International Journal of African Studies.

Kamanja, T. (2022). Congo Cosmograms and Their Significance in African Spirituality: Unraveling the Origins of the Ankh. Journal of African Philosophy, 12(3), 145-160.

Osman, R. (2021). Eternity in Form: The Cross and Circle Motif in African Cosmology. African Journal of Heritage Studies.

Owusu, A. (2020). Fertility and Faith: The Role of Akua'ba Figures in Akan Society. Ghanaian Journal of Cultural Studies.

Nkosi, P. (2019). Symbolism and Identity among the TWA of Central Africa: A Historical Perspective. Journal of African History.