If you are looking for a great tattoo design and not sure what to get you might want to consider a tribal sun tattoo design. These wonderful tattoos have a rich and deep symbolism behind them and they make a wonderful looking tattoo that is often large and makes a stunning statement. If you are interested in tribal sun tattoo designs then you will want to read this article. It will look at some potential meanings of sun tattoos as well as the sun in different cultures mythical lore.

The Symbolism Behind Tribal Sun Tattoos

We know today from science that the sun really gives us life. Without the sun we would ot be able as human beings to live on this earth. We would not have food to eat or air to breathe without the sun. Many of the ancient cultures knew this also and therefore respected and worshiped the sun for this exact reason. This has lead to much of the deep symbolism behind the sun. It is often seen as a centralizing force (scientifically it is). It helps provide focus and therefore it is often seen as a symbol of leadership, and focus. It is also a symbol for glory and brilliance and standing strong and being a bright light in darkness. A rising sun can also represent hope and happiness. In many cultures the sun an also represent fertility and vitality since it gives life to all.

The Sun In Mythical Lore

The Native Americans believed that the sun was the protector of the earth during the day. With the sun came the healing energy and power from it's life giving rays of light. Many of the Native American cultures called the sun the "Sun Face" and saw it as the Giver Of Life and warmth.

The Incas of south America viewed the sun as a god that was married to the goddess Pachamama the earth Goddess. The Aztec culture of the Americas also believed in the sun god. However they names the sun god Huitzilopochtil which means the "Blue Hummingbird on the Left". They believed he was a powerful warrior that had a beautiful headdress with hummingbird feathers in it. He would encourage the Aztec people to continue their journey south to the promised land. He lead them to fight without mercy and kills and take prisoners along the way. He demanded Human sacrifices to be made of the prisoners that were captured.

The Ancient Egyptians believed the sun was a powerful called they called Re or Ra. He was typically depicted in Human form and had a falcon head. He would traverse the sky in a boat during the day and then traversed the underworld at night in a similar boat.

As you can see this is only a small handful of the ancient groups that all worshiped the sun in some form or another. Each tribe and people had their own form of sun worship. However what is universal is all ancients believed in the power of the sun and knew at some level that it gave life and power. Thus has made the sun a powerful symbol and a great tattoo design. IF you are thinking about getting a tribal sun tattoo design you might want o look at the various cultures that did tattooing and see what beliefs they held about the sun.