The Ankh
The ankh, or in Latin the crux ansata (cross with a handle), was originally the Egyptian hieroglyph which meant “life”. Many ancient Egyptian artworks, especially funerary art, depict gods and pharaohs bearing this symbol. The ankh was also associated with Osiris, the god of death and rebirth, and ankhs were often placed with mummies in order to symbolically convey the gift of immortality.
Over time the ankh came to symbolize immortality, and can even be seen as a key to unlock the gates of death. The Rosicrucians and members of Hermetic orders often use this symbol in their rituals. The Coptic Christians, also employed it as a symbol of life after death. Ankhs incorporating mirrors into their design have sometimes been used to symbolize perception of the subtle reality.
The bladed ankh first appeared in popular culture in the 1983 film The Hunger, based on the vampire novel by Whitley Strieber and directed by Tony Scott. With its historical symbolism, cultural significance, and esoteric nature, the bladed ankh was the obvious and most common symbol for the Vampire.
The Legacy Ankh
The Legacy Ankh is a special version of the bladed ankh and is the sigilium which represents the virtues, teachings, traditions, culture and philosophy known as the Black Veils. Some of the Black Veils include virtues like Immortality, Romance, Elegance, Seduction, Apotheosis, Music, Art, Decadance, Nightside, Dayside, Unity, Family, Magick, Dance, Civility, Hospitality, Honor, Diversity, Chivalry, Decadance and Xepher.
In 1996, Master Metal Manipulator D’Drennan was commissioned by Father Sebastiaan to make an exclusive version of a bladed ankh to represent the Black Veils and the Legacy. Thus was born the Legacy Ankh, the most recognized international symbol in the Vampyre / Vampire Community.
Thus was born the Legacy Ankh, the most recognized international symbol in the Vampyre / Vampire Community. This precious artifact is proudly worn proudly in public and openly in ceremony by Vampyres/Vampires and Black Swans to symbolize their Legacy and understanding of the Black Veils.
There are three generations in the core design of the Legacy Ankh, the first is the original released in 1997, the second was released in 2005 and the third revealed in September 2019 in Witch City Halo (Salem, Mass). Since there are so many inspired variations inspired by this design, the Legacy Ankh is legally copyrighted and trademarked in order to protect symbol. The third Legacy Ankh’s meaning and sacredness is amplified by also being a fundraiser, because part of the sales will be a donated to Suicide Prevention Awareness charities in respect to D’Drennan.