Last Updated on October 1, 2020 by Avia

Sun Symbol: A Look At Features in Nature That Represent the Sun

Sun Symbols and Meanings:

From birds to bees, hearts to sunflowers, this article gives you a whole list of features that represent the sun. Also includes cultural symbols like spiral, star and circle which also are sun symbols.

The sun symbol is found in all cultures throughout history.

Considered by most peoples as a cosmic power, it’s not surprising we see the sun emblazed upon countless artifacts and writings.

Ancient Chinese culture recognized the sun as the Great Male Principle – the ultimate Yang. These symbolically appreciative people also personified the sun as a cosmic eye viewing out upon its dominion during the day.

Alchemically, the sun is sol and is esoterically symbolic of the mind or intellect.Gold is considered the material of the sun in outwardly symbolic practices of alchemy.

Some Elements Considered as Sun Symbols

Bronze
Gold
Diamond
Ruby
Topaz

“What we perceive and
what we understand depends on what we are.”
~Aldous Huxley

The planetary sign of the sun (a circle with a dot in the center) is also an alchemical symbol of origin signifying completion of the Great Work. Furthermore, this sun symbol represents the Self in its relation to the cosmic whole.

This is also the case in astrology where the sun is symbolic of the Self that is expressed outwardly – the self that shines openly to our friends, family, co-workers, etc. The sun position at our time of birth gives special illumination as to our characteristics. It’s as if the sun shines upon our symbolic selves and makes us most visible to the world (see your astro sun sign here).

Quick List of Symbolic Sun Meanings

Life
Power
Strength
Energy
Force
Clarity
Self

In Christianity the sun is the house of Archangel Michael (Gabriel lives within the moon), and is also a symbol of the Christ, or Christ-like attributes.

In ancient Egypt the sun is associated with the Horus, Ra and Osiris. Horus represents the rising sun, Osiris the setting sun, and Ra represents the sun’s zenith.

Again we see the sun symbolism in association with eyes or vision as the sun is the eye of Zeus in Greek mythology.

Likewise, in Hindu mythology the sun is the eye of Varuna, and is also considered the “divine rejuvenator.”

The sun resonates with male energy in most cultures. However, Celtic perspective places feminine power within the sun’s rays. Likewise, ancient African, Japanese, Germanic, and some Native American tribes all hold the sun as a feminine energy.

Animals can also be considered as sun symbols. For example, the eagle was a symbol of the sun rising in its glory and power over their cities. The tiger is the sun in its setting aspect.

animal sun symbols — Sun symbols in the animal realm

A Few Solar Animals Considered Sun Symbols Myth and Lore

A flower may also be considered a sun symbol. Here are a few flowers that radiate with sun energy, and are considered symbolic of the sun:

Flowers as Sun Symbols

Other Common Sun Symbols

Our ancestors have long considered the sun as the center of humankind’s existence. Modern mankind tends to overlook this priority, and perhaps takes for granted the life-affirming essence the sun exemplifies.

I hope this post encourages you to reconsider some of your symbolic ideas about the sun, and perhaps even adopt a sun symbol for yourself. These symbols can provide immensely enlightening in meditations, and focus/affirmation practices.

You may also want to visit my Tarot site and review Sun Tarot Card Meanings

I hope you have enjoyed this page on sun symbol meanings. Be sure to check out the links at the end of this page for more articles on symbolic meanings.