reinterpretations of the ankh symbol part 2 - Asar Imhotep
reinterpretations of the ankh symbol part 2 - Asar Imhotep
reinterpretations of the ankh symbol part 2 - Asar Imhotep
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24<br />
The pineal gland is a small endocrine gland in <strong>the</strong> vertebrate brain. It produces melatonin, a<br />
hormone that affects <strong>the</strong> modulation <strong>of</strong> wake/sleep patterns and photoperiodic (seasonal)<br />
functions. It is shaped like a tiny pine cone (hence <strong>the</strong> name) and is located near <strong>the</strong> center <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
brain between <strong>the</strong> two hemispheres, tucked in a groove where <strong>the</strong> two rounded thalamic bodies<br />
join. 17 Ano<strong>the</strong>r hormone, serotonin, is also secreted during <strong>the</strong> day. Both melatonin and serotonin<br />
have <strong>the</strong>ir own path and is represented by <strong>the</strong> two snakes around <strong>the</strong> brain stem for which <strong>the</strong><br />
pineal is attached. Aset and Nebehet could possibly represent <strong>the</strong>se two hormones. An expanded<br />
discussion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se associations will take place in a forth-coming publication titled Osiris Decoded:<br />
Tracing an Egyptian God Through <strong>the</strong> Yorùbá System <strong>of</strong> Ifa. Space will not allow fur<strong>the</strong>r discussions<br />
here.<br />
I mentioned earlier that <strong>the</strong> word snb (simbi/simba) can mean “protection” and I interpret this to<br />
mean “immunity” or <strong>the</strong> “immune system” in our modern language, so vital to “health.” This<br />
association between <strong>the</strong> anx and protection is confirmed in <strong>the</strong> anx image (<strong>the</strong> thoracic complex) as<br />
<strong>the</strong> snakes are holding up <strong>the</strong> Sn sign which is a <strong>symbol</strong> for “eternity” and “protection.”<br />
As we discussed in <strong>the</strong> Passion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Christ and Passion <strong>of</strong> Osiris, <strong>the</strong> Sn (from šni “to encircle, embrace,<br />
enclose, envelop”, “to surround”; ciLuba šing, nshing, cing) is just <strong>the</strong> loop <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> anx without <strong>the</strong> vertical<br />
bar at <strong>the</strong> bottom. The Snw is just an elongated version <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sn.<br />
Ankh / anx Sn Snw<br />
It is my contention that <strong>the</strong> suns depicted in <strong>the</strong> anx represent energy or could represent electricity.<br />
This image seems to be telling me that light energy from <strong>the</strong> plants, food (possibly <strong>symbol</strong>ized by<br />
<strong>the</strong> lotus plant) and oxygen (<strong>symbol</strong>ized by <strong>the</strong> winged scarab beetle) are processed inside <strong>the</strong> anx<br />
(<strong>the</strong> thorax) and it is converted into to <strong>the</strong> kind <strong>of</strong> energy that <strong>the</strong> body can utilize which helps to<br />
maintain <strong>the</strong> vitality <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> organism (<strong>the</strong> person) and protects it from internal and external<br />
dangers (streng<strong>the</strong>ns <strong>the</strong> immune system). The lotus plant may also represent <strong>the</strong> arteries or<br />
channels for which blood and oxygen flow throughout <strong>the</strong> body. A more modern depiction <strong>of</strong> this<br />
process (aerobic respiration) can be seen below.<br />
17 Wikipedia.com (retrieved August 17, 2008)