Did Christianity Steal the Egyptian Ankh?

Join our Patreon community!: https://patreon.com/religionforbreakfastOne-time donations here!: https://www.paypal.me/religionforbreakfastCheck out my favorite religious studies books: https://www.amazon.com/shop/religionforbreakfast 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?Follow me on Twitter: @andrewmarkhenryBibliography: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).jpgAnkh 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.jpgFaience 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.jpgTemple 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.jpg1981 - 1640 BCE, From Memphite Region, Tomb 954, Burial 954LAlexamenos graffito: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alexamenos_graffito.PNGhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Military_and_religious_life_in_the_Middle_Ages_and_at_the_period_of_the_Renaissance_(1870)_(14784757102).jpgJesus Crucifixion mosaic, Attributed to Jordiferrerhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2016_Santuario_di_Santa_Rita_(Roccaporena)_13.jpgCross GGNC grave marker, attributed to BrokenSphere / Wikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cross_GGNC_grave_marker_engraving_2.JPGCodex Glazier, attribution Morgan Library and Museum, New York:https://www.themorgan.org/manuscript/77061Late Antique Dedicatory Cross from the Walters Museum,https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Byzantine_-_Votive_or_Dedicatory_Cross_-_Walters_57630.jpgEgyptian 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=andBritish Museum Ankh Amulet: © Trustees of the British Museumhttps://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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices