Like with any other tattoo, when getting a sun tattoo, it is essential to know what it means. Otherwise, you may easily get embarrassed with your choice of the inked image. So that it will not happen, we have rounded up the most common meanings of sun tattoos in different cultures. Notably, such celebrities as Bea Miller, Dove Cameron, and Vanessa Martinez have embraced the sun tattoo, reflecting its popularity and diverse significance. As a bonus, you are offered the most exclusive ideas for sun tattoos. Make sure to study our guide carefully before getting inked.
Quick Navigation
- Sun Tattoo: History And Symbolism
- Meanings of a Sun Tattoo
- What Does A Sun And Moon Tattoo Mean?
- Size And Location
- Aftercare
- Creative Sun Tattoo Designs
- FAQ: Sun Tattoo
Meanings of a Sun Tattoo
by @firstjing
The sun tattoo comes in many styles. Each of them is unique and unusual. Some of the popular sun tattoo designs include black, Celtic, tribal, Egyptian and suchlike. While it has quite a few meanings, light and truth are considered the most widely accepted ones. The light of the sun is believed to be the guidance during a hard period in life. Those who have had to endure many troubles choose the sun tattoo as the representation of their struggles. On the one hand, it signifies that the person has overcome difficulties. On the other hand, it reminds them of the experience they have had.
Another reason why people get sun tattoos is to demonstrate that their lives were positively affected by others, kind of shining light on them. So, if you would like to show that you appreciate someone who has saved you or helped you, getting the sun tat is a good idea.
Mandala Sun Serenity
by @firstjing
Mandalas are known for their symmetry and intricate details. A sun mandala embraces all the best features of mandalas but spices the design with profound symbolism and meaning. If you seek a tat that radiates tranquility and balance, a sun mandala is a worthy option.
Glaminati Editor's Tip: To add a more personal touch to your mandala tattoo, you can enhance it with colors. You can choose the shade that you like the most, or you can pick the one that is associated with your birthstone. It is also a worthy idea to add a detail that bears a significant meaning to you, such as a life milestone, an important date, or a memory.
Horizon's Embrace
by @joannamroman
Do you share that unique thirst for adventure and unsatiable freedom? Well, may the sun be your true compass in life. A rising sun on the horizon is an inspiring design to consider when you look for a fresh one to inspire from. Always remember – the world is your ouster!
Sun-Face Tattoo On The Hand
by @kirstysaltrosetattoo
The eternal cycle of day and night covers a wide variety of human emotions. Whether it is clarity, warmth, or enduring spirit that you want to ignite, this piece of art by Kirsty ONeill, a North West tattoo artist specializing in custom tattoo designs, will head you in the right direction.
Minimalist Sun Tattoo on the Shoulder
by @naleak_tattoo
In case you seek a powerful, aesthetic but minimalistic source of daily energy, a sun tat made by Nalea K, a tattoo artist based in Seoul, South Korea, is more than a worthy idea.
Glaminati Editor's Tip: Many people claim that the shoulder is one of the least painful places to get inked. However, when choosing the location, you must remember that the sun's rays will blur after healing if there isn't enough space for it.
Small Ankle Tattoo
by @nurburgink
The sun and moon go hand in hand in every art and culture, and the tattoo field isn't an exception. The eternal interplay is the known symbol of the duality and cyclical nature of life. While looking stunning, the ink will emphasize your connection with the universe.
Luminary Guardian
by @silveranttattoo
The sun is omnipotent, and there's little sense in arguing that. Placing this powerful symbol on your ribs will make it your ever-present companion. Keep in mind the dripping details of the tattoo indicate ongoing evolution and stress the fluidity of life.
Space and Planets
by @mardenanquim
The space is endless and filled with opportunities and fresh horizons. A sun surrounded by stars and planets, like in this tattoo made by Jacque López, a Lisbon tattoo artist, showcases your knowledge of opportunities and your ability to grasp them.
The Tarot Sun
by @mardenanquim
Tarot cards are all about having a glimpse into the future. The sun card indicates positive changes and instills optimism. Should you doubt or regret anything, the ink will reassure you that the best is yet to come.
Glaminati Editor's Tip: To make the art piece more personal, you can add meaningful details to the design. In such a way, you will know what exactly you can count on heading toward a brighter future.
Shoulder Minimalist Sun
by @indianinctattoo
The sun is an endless source of energy. No need to come up with utterly intricate representations to absorb the timeless appeal of this celestial body.
Thigh Tattoo
by @ivanruotolo.ink
This tattoo, made by popular Barcelona tattoo artist Iván Ruotolo, looks incredibly realistic and wise. The intricacy of shading brings the design to life and inspires to continue trotting the path of wisdom and enlightenment.
Sunrise Art
by @handitrip
A meaningful tattoo does not require a lot of detail to be highly symbolic. A sunrise is a time of new beginnings and fresh potential. Use this minimalistic ink as a daily reminder.
Glaminati Editor's Tip: You can make every tattoo individual and symbolic with just a tad of creativity. It is possible to add important dates or initials to sun rays. This way, you will commemorate a personal new beginning or a new chapter of your life.
Celestial Affirmation
by @naleak_tattoo
The phrase "How rare and Beautiful" is deeply inspiring and powerful. However, if you encircle it with a variety of cosmic elements, you will stress your own uniqueness and worthiness.
Glaminati Editor's Tip: While scattered lot of cosmic attributes look gorgeous, you can use your own zodiac constellation or any other star formation and implement it into the design to make it twice as meaningful.
Slumbering Sun
by @sashaink
Life is about balance, and you can use this slumbering sun tat as a constant reminder of that. Even the darkest of nights will turn into a beautiful day. You should learn how to embrace every tad of experience that comes your way and enjoy life no matter what.
Minimalistic Sun
by @sashaink
Celebrate the ancient celestial worship with a modern take on it. A minimalistic sun surrounded by stars and planets reflects the invisible connection between you and the unknown.
Simplistic Solar Flare
by @tattoo_laura_
Beauty comes in simplicity. Should you feel the same way, this solar flare art will come to your taste. A design like that would look its ultimate best on a forearm/shoulder/leg, but the sky is the limit.
Glaminati Editor's Tip: If you'd like to add a personal touch to the design, we suggest you color the sun with the shades you associate with.
Nature Harmony
by @naleak_tattoo
Let your art tell a story that you can relate to. Our world is a beautiful place. While some parts of it are still undiscovered, we are a part of something greater. Use this tattoo as a constant reminder of that.
Glaminati Editor's Tip: You can choose a particular landscape that means a lot to you to make the design even more personal.
Koi Fish and Sun
by @irenebogachuk
Those who value strength and grace would certainly appreciate the symbolism of this art. The all-encompassing power of the sun and the fluidity of water signify balance and beauty.
Navigating the Cosmos
by @koray_karagozler
Create a personal compass that will guide you through all the challenges that life brings. A stellar compass will highlight your adventurous personality and free spirit. Moreover, it will help you find your path no matter the difficulties.
Glaminati Editor's Tip: Choose your individual 'true north' and spice the compass up with personal details. You can use memorable dates, names of your loved ones, quotes, or coordinates to succeed with the task. While you can place the ink on any part of your body, the back offers the most room for experimentation. Besides, the larger the area, the more the tat will stand out.
Sun and Moon Tattoos
The sun symbolizes vitality and unity, often chosen by those who are resilient and optimistic. The moon, more popular among women, reflects sensitivity and femininity, and its changing phases can represent mental complexity. As a pair, sun and moon tattoos express balance, harmony, and a deep mental connection—perfect for couples seeking a symbol of their united opposites and complementarity.
Sun Tattoo: History And Symbolism
The sun tattoo meaning varies from culture to culture. No wonder there are so many tattoo ideas that feature the sun. Yet, in general, it symbolizes revival and light. Also, as our life cycle is affected by the sun, it is intrinsically linked to the existence of humankind. And here is what the sun tattoo means in different fields.
- Astrology: In astrology, the sun signifies the power of space. It comes as no surprise that many ancient objects feature the sun symbol painted or carved on their surface. Also, one of the representations of the Self is the sun since you project it on people in the same way sun rays shine on them. Another meaning of the sun is associated with its position when the child is born. In astrology, it is thought to bestow them specific traits of character.
- Ancient China: The sun and the moon in Ancient Chinese philosophy represented Yin and Yang. So, the sun and moon tattoo may be interpreted as two opposites that complement each other and merge into one whole. There was another belief. It claimed that a human was an embodiment of the sun and also had a cosmic eye. It was supposed to lighten knowledge.
- Alchemy: For alchemists, the sun, or “sol” as it was called, signified intellect and spirit. In the alchemical practice, gold was used to represent the sun.
- Planetary Symbols: In planetary symbolism, the sun is represented by a circle and a dot inside it. It is referred to outstanding work completion and how the Self and the planet are related. Because the sun is often associated with light, it also implies that the Self is lit up, thus allowing others to see the inner being.
- Christianity: Christianity interprets the sun as archangel Michael’s home. The moon, in its turn, is the home of the angel Gabriel. Christ is believed to exchange light with the sun. As you can tell, the sun plays a very important role in Christianity.
- Ancient Egypt: Ancient Egyptians linked the sun to Ra, Osiris, and Horus, Egyptian gods. Sunrise was associated with Horus and when the sun was at the zenith, it was under the aegis of Ra. Osiris was responsible for the sun setting.
- Greek Mythology: There was a connection between the sun, vision, and optics in Greek mythology, which is why the former was frequently considered Zeus’s eye. Hindu mythology assumed that Varuna, the god of waters, could see through it.
Size And Location
Any tattoo placement depends on various factors with the size being one of the most contributing and sun tattoos are no exception. Also, you need to consider whether you want it to be on display or it is better to hide it under your clothes. If you cannot decide how big you want the image to be and where to locate it, then you may ask the tattoo artist for advice. They can also weigh in the complexity of the image and if the chosen location allows for enough space to achieve the desired result.
The most popular body parts for a small sun tattoo are fingers, wrists, ankles, the back of the neck, collarbones and feet. For a simple sun tattoo, you can choose any location provided there is room for the chosen design. More intricate and extensive sun tats require some extra space. So, the best placement for them will be the back, the chest, hips, the belly, etc.
Aftercare
by @naleak_tattoo
To ensure your freshly inked tattoo does not fade, get distorted, or infected, you should follow aftercare recommendations thoroughly.
- The first thing you should do after getting the tattoo is to leave the dressing intact. You can remove it in several hours once you are home. But take care to do it with clean hands, as you do not want to introduce the wound to bacteria.
- Next, rinse the inked area using a mild fragrance-free soap or a special cleanser. Make sure it does not contain alcohol as well, as it may irritate the wound. Pat dry the tattoo using a paper towel. Avoid rubbing it at all costs.
- In case your tat is getting itchy or dry, use a bit of mild lotion or the ointment prescribed by your tattoo artist.
- Should you notice peeling or flaking, no worries. That is how the process of healing usually goes. Besides, you are most likely to face it in 5-7 days after you have been inked. You should steer clear of picking it though. Otherwise, the ink will fall out.
FAQ: Sun Tattoo
What does the sun tattoo symbolize?
The symbolic meaning of sun tattoos varies depending on the culture. Yet, in general, it signifies revival and light. Also, thanks to the sun, our life is balanced, as our existence is impossible without it.
What does a tribal sun tattoo mean?
Tribal sun tattoos represent a partnership relationship between the sun and life. Other meanings include light, leadership, creativity and strength. Celts believed that the sun tattoo was related to fertility, life source and healing.
What do sun and moon tattoos mean?
The sun and the moon, which are often depicted in a single tattoo, symbolize two opposites, for instance, good and bad, feminine and masculine, life and death, etc.
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