Sun Tattoos

The Sun

The sun is the most important single thing in our solar system. Without this star, life on Earth would cease to exist, as the sun provides the light that is required to both heat our planet and nourish its resident plants and animals. The sun is the largest item in the solar system, and is responsible for 99.8 percent of the mass in the system. Temperatures on the surface of the sun reach around 5,800 kelvin, and internally, they reach an unimaginable 15.6 million kelvin. It is thought that our sun has been in existence for about 4.5 billion years, and that it should remain in its current state for another 5 billion. After that, it will morph into a red dwarf and no longer be able to sustain life on Earth.

Sun Myths

The sun plays in an important role in many cultures. Several prominent early civilizations were involved in worshiping the Sun - such as the Romans, the Egyptians, the Aztecs and the Incas. While other cultures also paid homage to the sun, in these specific areas, the Sun was their highest god.

• In Rome, the sun god was Apollo. He was thought to bring the sun each morning in a chariot across the sky. He also was considered to be the god of healing and arts.

• In Egypt, the god Ra was in charge of the sun. Ancient Egyptians believed that Ra went through various transformations throughout the day, just as the sun did. He was the most important of all of the Egyptian gods, and pharohs from the fifth dynasty forward took the title "Son of Ra".

• In Aztec culture, Huitzilopochtli was the god of sun and war. The patron deity of the Aztecs, it was said that he was supposed to guide the Aztecs to a promised land in the south. Human sacrifices were at one time made to this god in hopes of winning wars.

Sun Tattoos

The rich mythology surrounding the sun means there is a wealth of different tattoo styles that can be found depicting its image. Many choose to get the sun and moon depicted together, as they are complimentary and, in some cultures, symbolize male and female power. Others choose the blocky, tribal style of Aztec suns. The sun can also be a symbol of rebirth, so some people choose to combine it with other imagery such as Celtic knots and stars. The light and dark, good and evil symbolism are also a reason that people are so drawn to these tats.

Where to Find Sun Tats

Probably the biggest problem you'll encounter when looking for a sun tat is finding one that is unique. Most tattoo shops have walls of flash art, and these will contain many different styles of suns. While this is a good place to start, you may want to think about designing your own Sun tattoo. Remember, you're going to have this tat forever, so don't get stuck with something you'll regret; plan carefully.

Here are some sites that can help you get started if you want to design your own sun tat:

• eTattoos has some links to unique sun tats, as well as sun and moon combinations
• VanishingTattoo also has some excellent images as well as background info on sun tats.

Sun Tattoos Conclusion

Sun tattoos are especially popular with faithful tanners, who feel the sun's rays revitalize them and is the ultimate symbol of rebirth and life. Consider treating your sun worshipper to a tattoo as a way to show them that you realize and respect all the time they spend maintaining their awesome golden tan.

Related Tattoo Links

• Star Tattoos
• Tattoo Flash
• Religious Tattoos
• Celtic Tattoos
• Aztec Tattoos