Sun Tattoos: Meanings, Ideas, Designs, and Aftercare

Sun tattoos are classic, timeless, and deeply symbolic. Regardless of the type of design you choose, you should always do your research to make sure that the design you select will best represent who you are as an individual. The sun tattoo design is very popular this season, and both men and women are choosing to have these iconic designs permanently placed on their bodies. Along with the sun’s literal meaning, these tattoos also have a wide-array of deeper meaning associated with them. Consider the following before hopping in the chair to get your next tattoo.

Popular Sun Tattoo Designs

Some popular sun tattoo designs are:

Sun and moon tattoos — These tattoos can mean unity between two different entities. Wearers of this type of tattoo are telling the world that they are ready to embrace both the good and the bad within themselves and within life in general. Just as the sun is a source of light and life for the earth, the moon also brightens the night sky with its light. The sun and the moon have opposite personalities just the same way that humans do — both have good and bad to them. Sun and Stars Tattoos — This tattoo design represents all of the best achievements in your life. Typically, this design depicts the sun along with three stars, but can also show the moon and the stars as well along with the sun. Rising Sun — The rising sun symbolizes new beginnings. As each new day is marked by the rising of the sun, similarly the rising sun tattoo represents the starting of a new life on earth for yourself and/or your family and loved ones. The rising sun tattoo can also signify physical changes in an individual.

Sun Tattoo Meanings

Sun tattoos can stand on their own or can accompany other designs to represent a completely different message altogether. In general, the sun represents tremendous energy. When the sun shines, it sends a great amount of heat to the earth. Without the sun, there wouldn’t be any sign of life on earth. Likewise, sun tattoos represent both passion and desire. The sun’s burning rays can perfectly represent an individual’s burning desire for whatever they seek out in life. This type of bold, brilliant tattoo tells the world that you have enough passion to do whatever you set out to do in life. The sun can also symbolize: Faith Truth Beauty Bravery Good luck Hope Energy Protection Courage Wisdom Faith in humanity

Sun Tattoos: Steeped in History

Countless individuals worship the sun every day. Some pay homage to the great ball of fire so much that they desire to have it permanently represented on their body. Many centuries ago, the sun was first thought of as a God who was worshipped by the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. While the Greeks called their sun god, Zeus, the Egyptians thought more of the sun as a symbol of Horus, the rising sun, Ra, the sun’s zenith, and Osiris, the setting sun. Still, the Chinese believed that the sun represented the sky’s cosmic eye and the great male principle, the ultimate Yang. Native Americans paid homage to the sun for its ability to heal. They believed the sun to be the great guardian of the day. Today, many people see the tattoo design of the sun as a way to symbolize going from dark times to seeing the light at the end of that darkness. The sun is the ultimate symbol of light and truth. It is what guides us out of our darkest times and into our greatest destinies.

Sun Tattoo Ideas

There are many ways to place sun tattoos on the body. For women, sun tattoos are sexiest on the back of the neck and on the backbone. Given the ease with which these tattoos can be placed, skilled tattoo artists can style sun tattoos on the arms, legs, shoulders or other areas. There are many different designs and styles that you can do with a sun tattoo including tribal styles and suns with word banners around them. Some of the more beautiful styles are: Tribal sun tattoos Geometric sun tattoos Realistic sun tattoos Dotwork sun tattoos Sleeping sun tattoos Elegant sun and moon tattoos Burning sun tattoos Sun tattoos with realistic faces Sleeve sun tattoos Demon sun tattoos Sun tattoos with planets linked to them

Sun Tattoo Aftercare and Maintenance

Even though sun tattoos are exciting and beautiful, it’s best not to immediately show them off just after getting them. In order to safely show off your sun tattoo, it’s best to get it done during the fall when the tattoo will not be overly exposed to the sun’s harmful rays. Overexposure of a tattoo to the sun’s rays and heat will only promote scabbing and quick fading of the tattoo’s colour and vibrancy. As with any new tattoo, the area should be frequently cleaned with warm water and unscented liquid soap and moisturized regularly with an unscented lotion. Always keep the tattoo hydrated in order to lock in its colour.