The Ankh and the Pentagram

[HoT-MetaL]

Hey everyone!

What do you think of the Ankh and the Pentagram?

I always thought they were both inherently evil, especially the pentagram, but it seems someone over in Teens thinks its OK to wear them.

Any truth in his view?

God Bless, metal.

 

[calicoangel]

I can't understand why a Christian would want to wear any symbol that the world associates with Satanism or Paganism.

 

[PaladinValer]

The ankh is an Egyptian T-cross with a loop on its top. It is a symbol of eternal life and Divine status. I believe Coptic Tradition has it associated with Jesus.

The pentagram is simply a 5-pointed star. Along with the 6-pointed star, it has been used in Judaism and in Christianity, its 6 spaces represented the 6 wounds of Jesus: nails both hands, nails both feet, his crown of thorns upon his head, and the spear in his side.

 

[onikirimaru777]

I think hotmetal was inspired to write this after what I said earlier in the teen forum. To comment further on what PaladinValer said, the pentagram is the five pointed star and the pentacle being the pentagram inside a circle. The pentagram is a symbol older then the cross itself, it has been found painted on walls of babylonian ruins. The pentagram has taken different meanings over the years and has eventually been incorporated into christian symbolism, if you look hard enough for it. The pentagram to the christian represents the five wounds of Christ (two feet, two hands, and the crown). The pentagram to myself represents the four elements of the human being: body, spirit, mind, and emotions, with the top most point being the soul, the immortal embodiment of the human being. Each line of the pentagram represents that Christ died to connect each of the four elements with the fifth in Him so my soul will live on in Heaven, rather then die in Hell.

On the ankh: i've always read it to represent the cycle of birth, death, and eternal life and/or rebirth (not sure which). I do not know as much about it as the pentagram, but i'll make a statement about it in general terms later.

On the general term of the word "symbol": A symbol means something to the individual. I hate it when someone forms a set deffinition of a symbol because there will always be that ignorance to what it could mean to someone, who, instead, just believed what others said about it. Heres an example: To the christian believer, the cross could represent hope and salvation for his/her soul, but to the satanist, the cross could represent pain and suffering. Its all in how you look at it. No, i'm not saying that every symbol out there can be taken with an open mind, for there are symbols made to make a mockery of other symbols, ex: the upside cross. Those symbols are basically just a joke, a mockery. Yes, some symbols are associated with religions and such, but one could find a way to incorporate that symbol into his or her belief structure with a careful mind. Mind you that symbols alone are not deities and shouldn't be worshipped for what they personify. In the end, symbols are what you make of them.

 

[Celticflower]

I have an ankh that I used to wear all the time because it was the symbol for life. It is actually the Egyptian hieroglyph/pictoglyph for the word. It was often mistake for a Coptic cross by people when I wore it. The only reason I stopped wearing it was the chain broke and I have yet to replace it.

Often items like the ankh, the yin/yang and so on are misunderstood or not understood by those who choose to wear them. Sometimes the person puts their own spin on what it means, but I have seen Christians do the same thing with a cross around their neck. There is nothing wrong with the symbol, it is just a shape. What it means in your mind, or how a group uses it, is where problems may arise. After all, the swastika was used for a long time before the Nazis turned it into a sign of hate.

Celtie

 

[JVD]

After all, the swastika was used for a long time before the Nazis turned it into a sign of hate.

This is a good point. The meaning of the swastika to most in the western world is Nazi hate. The meaning for most of us has changed.

I believe the same can be said for the other symbols you mention. If you are a christian, the only reason to wear such symbols is to challenge others. If you honestly believe that the Lord would have you wear the symbol to advance the cause of Christ than go ahead.

I notice that many young people ( including me...when I was young) seem to gravitate toward something to challenge authority. That is not a bad thing necessarily but wisdom would guide the challenge to authority in a way that leads to a positive outcome.

You may notice that the symbols mean something entirely different to certain subcultures that are not at all interest in Christ. Since this is a christian forum, I have to believe that you are.

 

[Celticflower]

If you are a christian, the only reason to wear such symbols is to challenge others. If you honestly believe that the Lord would have you wear the symbol to advance the cause of Christ than go ahead.

Actually, by wearing the ankh I was never trying to challenge anything. I'm a bit of an armchair Egyptologist and love the simple beauty of the shape of the ankh as well as its original meaning. Nothing more, nothing less. If someone mistook it for a Coptic Cross, I'd just smile and yes, say it is similar. But I never made a big deal about it. Half the time I forgot I was wearing it and would have to look to see which necklace a person was commenting on.

I don't view my jewelry choices as advancing or hindering the cause of Christ. I wear things I think are pretty or interesting in shape, texture or color. I do realize that jewelry can send subtle messages to people about what they perceive to be your beliefs, but that can happen with anything--from the shirt you wear to the book you carry. Peoples perceptions of me have been so wrong in the past I have given up worrying about what they think based on what they see. One they get to know me they find I am much like an ogre--I have layers . And what you see is not always what you get.

Celtie

 

[Simon_Templar]

I think it is a mistake to assume that symbols have no power in and of themsevles. To say something is symbolic doesn't in the least mean that it is without power. Its true that some symbols cross over between religions and have different ascribed meanings. It is also true, in my opinion, that just because something was once used by 'pagans' doesn't mean it is necessarily evil.

I wouldn't wear a pentagram, or a pentacle because of its modern ascociation with witchcraft and the occult. I also don't deny that the pentagram has been, in the past, used by christianity, and it does go back to ancient babylon and sumeria.

an Ankh I would probably be more likely to wear, granted it has very similar ascociations in the modern to the pentagram. Its original meaning is more clear however and I don't think there is anything inherently bad about its original meaning. It symbolized the breath of life, sometimes the ka or spirit of a person.

I'd just becareful about assuming out of hand that there is no real baggage or power, negative or positive, that comes along with a symbol.