Back To The Most Basic

The circle is one of the most basic images. It was probably the first to symbolize the sun. It makes the most sense. It has no extra frills at all. An ancient and universal symbol of unity, wholeness, infinity, the goddess, and female power. To earth-centered religions throughout history as well as to many contemporary pagans, it represents the feminine spirit or force, the cosmos or a spiritualized Mother Earth.



CIRCLE with a DOT (BINDU) in the center: In the complex symbolic system of Hinduism and Buddhism, the bindu (dot) represents the male force. Together, the circle and the bindu symbolize the merging of male and female forces.

CIRCLE (quartered): The sacred circle filled with a cross, four equal lines pointing from the center to the spirits of the north, east, south, and west -- or to the basic element: earth, water, air (or wind), and fire.It is also associated with the four seasons Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. In Native American traditions, it forms the basic pattern of the MEDICINE WHEEL and plays a vital part in major spiritual rituals. Many contemporary pagans consider it their main symbol for transmitting the energy of the goddess. Churches have used variations of the same popular shape, usually calling it the Celtic Cross.

If you want to learn about more symbols and their meaning visit http://www.radioliberty.com/Symbolsandtheirmeaning.html

The Greek Vergina Sun

2000 BC: This is the time where ancient Greeks first started using the Sun symbol.
It was not standardized yet, it was a early form of the Sun of Vergina.

The circles inside the sun are found in some of the most primitive symbols of the sun. The sun with circles is often referred to as a "tribal sun".

I find the rings around the sun very interesting as well. Three distinctly different designs. It is beautiful!

Alexander The Great

This is the coin I was referring to the other day. Alexander the Great is on one side and the other is the Vergina Sun. On some of the ancient Macedonian Sun Symbols there is a flower in the center. Many people think flowers are often depicted as the sun for a more "stylized" look. The Mayans did just that, a human with a flower is the most warm scene I could find.

Here is more detailed information about the Greek and Macedonian argument for the right to utilize the Vergina Sun as their own.

In July 1995, Greece lodged a claim for trademark protection of the Vergina Sun as an official state emblem
under Article 6ter of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property with the World
Intellectual Property Organization. This has now been approved and is fully in effect and under agreement
with the government of the republic of Macedonia. So if we are going by ownership as per international law,
it has been solved.

Modern Macedonian Sun Flag

This is the modern flag of Macedonia. This one is only half of the ancient one, and is known as the Vergina Sun. Greece and Macedonia are embroiled in a controversy about the Vergina Sun. Both want to use it, and both claim it as their very own. I believe that I have seen a coin with Alexander the Great, and the sun symbol on it. The Greek passport watermark is the sun symbol. I did not know that anyone had a right to the symbol of the sun since it is so ancient, and found in almost every culture in some sort of depiction.

Ancient Macedonian Sun

The Ancient Macedonian sun is not as abstract as the Mayan sun. This one has an ancient symbol. A dot in the cent of the circle was the symbol of the ancient people for sun. (I will have to pull one of those out to show) The Ancient Macedonians had 16 points on their depiction of the sun. Interestingly enough is their flag now is a sun with 8 points. We will look at that one tomorrow.

Tigua Indians of Texas

This is a symbol of the sun from the Tigua Indians of Texas. The Indians of the Texas area are from the Pubelo People. They were the people that carved their homes on the side of the cliffs. The sun symbol used by the Tigua Tribe today is based on this pictograph at Hueco Tanks. Photo by Rupestrian Cyberservices, courtesy of Texas Parks and ...
www.texasbeyondhistory.net/...p/.../Hueco-Tigua-symbol.html

Maya Sun Glyphs

This is a glyph from a Mayan Calender. The sun is represented as different glyphs, but this one is pretty prevalent. A human face with a flower that more than likely blooms in the sun. In fact in some cultures it is a flower that represents in the sun.

When I look at ancient art or languages I often ask myself...Why is this representation the best way to express the most passive sun? A man instead of a creature, a flower in front of the face of the human.

It has no ray's around it, but this is "sun" to the Mayans.

Ancient Egyptian

The first know Monotheist Ahkenaton. He worshiped the sun. Moved the capital. He is usually shown as a more feminine male. He is often shown with a slightly swollen abdominal area. There have been speculation on the topic. I have often wondered if he is making a statement to his people that he is the embodiment of a female on earth carrying the seed of new life from the sun.

I have read that some believe that the Sun King is deformed as a result of inbreeding.

I just find it fascinating that so many cultures world wide have sun worshipping of some kind. I mean, when you think about it. If you are in an agricultural people you depend upon the sun. It brings you light, warmth, and without it there is no food. I am sure there were people that felt that the sun made them feel better. Feeling good can bring on a spiritual feeling. It stimulates all your faculties when you feel good.

Hopi Indians

First off..A BIG thank you to http://www.whats-your-sign.com/sun-symbols.html for borrowing the sun symbol of the Hopi Indians. It is so beautiful. The feathers used as rays in 6 groups of 3. The eyes are the shapes of triangles. The mouth is the shape of a square. Three colors are represented white, red, and black. It is simplistic, yet so very elegant.

Not Really Happy

Here is a sun image that is not happy. It looks like an irritated sun to me. I love the wavy rays, it almost draws the eye into the center of the face. Even the sun has a bad day. http://www.imajlar.com/free_clipart/sun_clipart/sun_clipart_5.gif

Colossus of Rhodes

There are many theories about the Colossus of Rhodes. One thing is for sure Helios (the Sun God) is the one that stood there. Was he straddling the mouth of port? At this point we just don't have enough information to say yeah or nay. We know that he was made of bronze, and it was melted down for projects that were deemed more valuable at the time. We hope that someday soon we will know much more as research continues.

Temple of Athena at Troy

Here we are with Helios again...he was represented at Troy thousands of years ago. We see him here with four houses galloping through the sky, but tethered by Helios. He drives them with the sun behind him. He wears a crown of the sun around his head.