There isn’t just one sun tattoo meaning, but many. There are some people who get the sun tattoo simply for its many cool-looking iterations, but the fact is that there’s a pretty good chance that everyone can find a sun tattoo that they love.
On this page we will take a look at a bunch of those great sun tattoo meanings and why people have been revering the sun in their own ways for so long.
The sun has been the most ancient subject of worship in human history and prehistory because of its demanding presence in the sky as well as its life-giving properties. In a way, even people who don’t actively “worship” the sun do feel a strong bond to it since it has such a major impact on their lives.
This is the default sun tattoo meaning, but there are plenty more that you can add to it as well. It’s just important to keep in mind that the reason why sun worship has been around since the beginning of time is because we rely on it and it is ever-present.
Sunlight is absolutely essential for all living beings on Earth and is one of the most common symbols of life. This is a sun tattoo meaning that people can use when they want to get the most out of their lives, or even when they need a constant reminder that life is special. This is also a fantastic sun tattoo meaning for those who have hit a bad patch in their lives and want to turn things around. In many of these sun tattoos people will give the sun a face and perhaps a smile to show it as a living being.
Another great sun tattoo meaning is happiness. There are tons of people out there who have their moods raised every time they see that it is sunny outside. It gives us warmth and seems to perk up our moods, so it’s a great symbol of happiness. If you do use the happiness sun tattoo meaning, you can make the meaning that much clearer by putting a big smile on your sun’s face. You can also add a few other images that represent joy if you want a larger tattoo design. Of course, you could also just get a larger, detailed sun image.
There aren’t too many more powerful things than the sun, which is why some people use the “power” sun tattoo meaning. There are a lot of tattoo symbols out there that can be used in place of the sun, but the sun is perhaps the best choice if you don’t want to use a flashy image. You don’t have to do anything special with your sun tattoo to make it represent power, but it’s a good idea to add in some striking rays and perhaps a landscape below it to paint a stronger picture. Another easy way to make this meaning clearer is to put a crown on the sun.
Because the sun gives light to the world, it is the ultimate symbol of creation, religion, evolution, or neither. People who might want to use this sun tattoo meaning are those who love nature and those who simply recognize the sun’s importance in the world. Again, you really don’t have to add in any other tattoo designs to make people recognize the meaning you’re using, but if you want it to be obvious you might want to pick out a couple more “creation” images inside of or around your sun tattoo.
Many ancient civilizations have appointed the sun the status of a deity and worshipped it furiously. Some saw it as a symbol of fertility, for example, while others simply feared it since they recognized its power. If you do decide to use the more ancient sun tattoo meanings, you might want to add in some extra detail to give it an aged look.
In ancient Egypt, many sun goddesses existed; Wadjet, Sekhmet, and Nut. These goddesses are quite often depicted wearing solar crowns and are associated with the many daughters of the sun god Ra, making them important figures in Egyptian rituals. As you might expect, this is the type of sun tattoo that usually requires a very skilled hand. If you want to keep your design simpler, you can get a statue-style design with a more basic solar crown.
In addition to these solar goddesses, the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu rules in conjunction with her brother, the moon god. She is peaceful and non-violent but has the ability to hide the sun from the universe if made upset. This clash of personality traits can easily be represented in tattoo form by adding a moon to your sun tattoo. It’s actually a great sun tattoo meaning if you are the type of person who is usually happy but has the tendency to snap if provoked.
Ra, the main solar deity and major god of the Egyptians, represented life and growth as he was the creator of many things including many other gods and goddesses of the sky and earth. Without Ra, represented by the sun, no plants would grow and no humans would survive, making him an essential figure in human existence. This actually makes for an excellent tattoo design as Ra has a flacon head and the sun above him.
Like Ra, Surya is a solar deity in Hinduism who drives a chariot pulled by seven horses, the days of the week, across the sky during the day. As the sun, he illuminates the days of the week and represents sight, omnipotence and authority. If you like this sun tattoo meaning and want a larger tattoo, then you can get this classic image with Surya being driven forward by horses with the sun in the background.
In ancient Greek mythology, Helios (Sol in Roman mythology) is the personification of the sun and the son of a titan and titaness. He was charged with driving the chariot, the sun, across the sky every day to bring night afterward. Later on, the Greek Olympian god Apollo majorly took the place of Helios and was then associated with a plethora of origin stories and various qualities, but has always remained the god of sun and light as well as an oracle.
In dozens of ancient religious mythologies, the image of sun deities was often depicted with chariots or barges that transported them across the sky. As with many of the other examples listed on this page, these are great sun tattoo meanings if you are interested in getting a bigger piece. Of course, you will want to work with an artist who can give you the style of tattoo you’re looking for.
What’s great about these sun tattoo meanings is that they work well for both men and women. This is definitely one of those unisex tattoo designs since the sun really does look fantastic no matter who it’s on. Yes, you can get a manlier or more feminine version of the sun tattoo, but both sexes can use the exact same meanings regardless of the design. That’s just one of the many reasons why the sun tattoo is considered to be one of the most popular designs out there.
Another advantage that you’ll have with the sun tattoo over other designs is the fact that it is a tattoo that can be placed just about anywhere on the body. If you want a great finger tattoo, you can get a small sun design that works perfectly there. If you want a design that is meaningful and can stretch one or two feet in length, well, you can get a great sun tattoo for those areas of your body too.
As you can tell, there are a bunch of sun tattoo meanings out there and plenty of people who would be proud to use them. If you do plan on getting a sun tattoo, be sure to take your time choosing the meanings you want to use. Also, take your time with the design process and only work with trusted tattoo artists who can make your sun tattoo work for you so you can be proud of it for years to come.