Minimalism as a tattoo trend is very popular. Here are some other virtues symbolised by the sun:īelow are some ideas to inspire your own sun tattoo. Getting a tattoo of the sun can be a way of permanently acknowledging its power and influence over the world while drawing on some of the traits and truths it represents. Our ancestor’s have always acknowledged the power and divinity of the sun, however in today’s world it is something that is often overlooked. Tigers, too, are often depicted as being symbolically connected to sunset. For example, the eagle serves as a symbol of the sun and its eminence over civilisation. The sun is also linked to animal symbolism. The sun is usually depicted as masculine, however in Celtic an Pagan traditions, femininity is transposed into the sun’s rays. Similarly, in Hindu mythology, the God of waters, Varuna, sees through the sun. In Greek mythology, the sun is related to optics and vision, and the sun is often referred to as the eye of Zeus. Horus represents the sun rising, Osiris represents sunset, while Ra is symbolically tied to the sun’s zenith.

In Ancient Egypt the sun is connected to the gods Horus, Ra and Osiris. The sun can therefore be a strong religious symbol. The light is also used interchangeably with christ.

In Christianity, the sun was supposedly the home of archangel Michael, while the angel Gabriel lives on the moon. The sun is also, due to the connotation of light, a means to shine a light on the self so as to make our inner beings visible to others. The classic planetary symbol of the sun (a circle with a dot in the centre) represents the completion of outstanding work and can pertain to ideas of the self in relation to the planet as a whole The sun was also represented by gold in the practice of alchemy. In alchemy, the sun was referred to as “sol” and was considered a symbol of spirit and intellect. They also believed humans embody the sun and possess the same cosmic eye which shines light on knowledge. In ancient Chinese culture, the sun was considered the Great Male Principle - the divine Yang. The sun therefore has a lot of significance in astrology. The position of the sun at the moment of a child’s birth is supposed to give them certain characteristics. In astrology, the sun represents the Self which is projected out onto others, like a beam of light. In Astrology Credit: Instagramįans of astrology view the sun as a cosmic power, and historically it has been etched onto numerous artefacts and scriptures. Our existence on the earth depends on the sun, so it can also represent the cycle of life. The most common symbolism is light and renewal. Sun tattoos have different meanings in different cultures. In this article we’ll go over some of the key symbolism of sun tattoos and provide you with a range of ideas and inspiration for your own solar-inspired ink. There are a multitude of options when it comes to getting a sun tattoo. It sustains the earth and mankind and so many draw on this connection through getting inked. They are also easily adaptable to an individual’s style and taste. They can be simple, complex, meaningful, aesthetic and gender neutral. Sun tattoos are a popular choice of body art.

Sunrise tattoo