The symbol of the sun. "Solar" deities of different nations of the world

The sun is the source of life and fertility. Mankind has long revered the light that warms the Earth, giving light and joy to the beings that inhabit the planet. Therefore, almost every people had its own authentic symbol of the sun, which was worshiped and brought gifts.

Kolovrat

In Russia, the so-called cross with bends. Kolovrat - a symbol of the sun in the Slavs, which our ancestors interpreted as "solstice", or simply "rotation." His image in the form of an ornament was often painted on the iconostases and altars of temples, vestments and national costumes, military weapons and banners of the squad, roofs of houses and household utensils. Even to this day fragments of these paintings have survived: they can be seen in the ancient churches of Novgorod, Kiev and Chernigov. And the excavations of Slavic settlements and burial mounds show that many cities had a clear form of a colovra, the rays of which pointed to the four directions of the world.

The symbol represented the Jarilo-Sun, the change of the seasons and the eternal light. He was for people a protective force, a defense against the demons of hell and human aggression. It was not for nothing that the sign was drawn on the red shields of courageous soldiers who were going to a mortal battle. Kolovrat caused panic terror among the opponents of Rusich, therefore for many centuries our valiant ancestors successfully resisted the invasions of other peoples and tribes.

The pagan god of the sun

He had four hypostases, depending on the season:

1. Sun-baby Kolyada. Winter luminary, weak and defenseless. Was born in the early morning after the December solstice at night.
2. Sun-boy Yarilo. A fortified star appearing on the day of the vernal equinox.
3. Sun-husband Kupailo. A mighty luminary that rolled out on the horizon on the day of the summer solstice.
4. The old sun is bright. The aging and wise luminary that marks the day of the autumnal equinox.

As we see, the symbol of the sun constantly figured in the calendar of our ancestors, indicating not only the change of the season, but also astronomical phenomena. These four days were important pagan holidays, during which the Slavs held dances and feasts, sacrificed to the gods and praised them with ceremonial songs. In addition, the luminary constantly figured in other rituals. For example, it is a symbol of the Carnival. The sun during the winter wake was embodied in the form of pancakes: thus our ancestors called on the star to wake up and warm the Earth.

Eagle

If the ancient Slavs are the main guardian of the man Kolovrat and the symbol of the Maslenitsa, the sun was present during the numerous rituals, but other peoples of the world did not have so many solar signs. Of course, the luminary was revered all over the world, but only Russian people everywhere painted his image: from houses to small household items. They also believed that the symbol of the sun is an eagle. But even more the cult of this proud bird was worshiped in Greece and China.

These people chose the eagle not by chance: its flight, life under the clouds were always illuminated by the rays of the luminary. People believed that the bird was a messenger of the gods, so she can fly to the star and even merge with it. Eagle symbolized the height and strength of the spirit, which can soar into the heavens. If he was drawn among lightning and thunder, he pointed to the courage and ability to overcome any difficulties. In addition, Homer argued that a bird holding claws with a snake is a symbol of victory.

Symbols of the sun in other nations

The light was especially revered by the Indians who lived in the territory of Peru and Mexico. Like the Slavs, Greeks and Chinese, they worshiped the eagle: its feathers often adorned their headgear, giving the person a certain status and giving him protection. In addition, the Incas depicted a star in the form of a man with a golden face disc-shaped, the Aztecs also associated him with the god of war - Huitzilopochtli. Another Indian symbol of the sun is the same Kolovrat, having several differences from the Slavic: it was drawn in the form of a wheel, a swastika, a circle surrounded by rays or a simple disk.

The inhabitants of Indonesia were considered a cat's face as a symbol of the luminary. In the US, the sun was depicted with cunning in the eyes, and in Mallorca - sad. In Spain, they believed that the moon was the progenitor of the star, the Malayans had these two luminaries as spouses, and in Russian folklore as sisters. In Japan, the ancient symbol of the sun is chrysanthemum. And the Egyptians associated the shark with a scarab. The ancient sun god Heree was portrayed in the form of a beetle rolling in the clouds a heavenly body.

"Solar" deities

In Greece, those considered Helios, in the very name of which already felt the radiance of the rays and the blaze of fire. Often he was depicted as a mighty handsome young man: his eyes sparkled, his hair fluttered in the wind, covered with a golden helmet or crown. Every morning he appeared in the sky in a solar chariot harnessed by four winged horses.

The Romans symbol of the sun - the god Apollo, patron of light, art, science and agriculture. His arms - arrows - were portrayed in the form of sunrays.

As for the ancient Persians, Mitra was the incarnation of the light. He was painted in the form of a stream of light that connects people with darkness.

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the god of the sun was Ra, represented in the form of a man, a huge cat or an eagle, whose head was crowned by a star. Summer drought and heat were considered his anger, sent to people for their sins.

As you can see, the Sun is revered from time immemorial. Today they also worship him: in different countries even museums dedicated to this luminary are being opened.