The sun is the most precious source of light, growth and warmth. It provides us with clarity after a shadowy night and protection from all the things that lurk in darkness. For these reasons alone, sun tattoos can make a deep impact. But these are not the only reasons a person would choose such a design. The sun, much like its astral brethren, carries a good deal of mythology, symbolism and intrigue with it.
The sun god can be seen in nearly every culture throughout history. One of the more popular depictions, however, is the Greek god Helios. Helios is not only god of the sun, but the sun itself. This image can be beautifully translated into tattoo art. 
The story goes that Helios drove a chariot led by four fire breathing horses every day, thus lighting up the sky. This image can be done in bright and bold colors, or black and white; it can be done in a classic painting style, or in a more modern illustration.
The beauty of sun tattoos is not only the simplicity of shape, but the potential for adaptability in design. For instance, you could try a monotone antique woodblock, or a colorful Celtic mosaic. You can mix symbols to tell a personal story; the sun blossoming from the stem of a rose to symbolize burgeoning love, or glowing behind a religious symbol to show the warmth one gets from their personal faith.
A very popular sun design is the tribal style. Tribal sun tattoos are usually very simple, using minimal colors (most frequently black, reds and occasionally blues), and sharp, clean lines. Although these are most often seen as a simple circle with jagged points jutting from it, there are a few other ways to utilize this style. For instance, you could use something a little softer, creating sun rays that look more like watery waves. You can also include a face or symbol in the body of the sun.
Sun tattoos can be light hearted and simple, or deeply meaningful and highly elaborate. However you so choose to depict this ancient and extraordinary symbol, you will be certain to make a fantastic statement.
Related >> Tribal Sun Tattoos, Tribal Tattoos, Aztec Tattoos, Moon Tattoos, Star Tattoos, Nautical Star Tattoos
I have been looking desperately for a tattoo that my late husband had done just months before he died at age 37. My son would now like to get the same tattoo in honor of his Dad, but we have no photos of it.
I have now searched through almost 3,000 designs online, with just a few similar ones. (The shop that he had it done at closed shortly after 9/11, so all of those books and files are gone.)
It was (I believe) a tribal sun, but with straight edges rather than curved. He just had it done in black.
Any suggestions as to where I might further search would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks.
RB
Hey Reenie, try checking out these tribal sun tattoo designs to see if you can’t find it.
Let me know if you find it or not!
Just wondering if you have any info on how the aztec people would have done a tattoo. Mt son is doing a school project and I have typed in many things in a google search but not found how they actually did the tattoo and also what they would have used for the “needle” or dye. Any info site would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks heaps
Suzanne, try http://www.helium.com/items/1115089-tattoos-the-ancient-history-of-body-art
and try typing in body art related things into Google instead of tattoo.
THIS IS TO REENIE,
I’m not sure if you still need help in your search, but if you do I’d like to help you find your husbands tattoo. My email address is PrairieD[email protected], email me and let me know if you want my help.
My friends a tattoo artist, and I know many others in my city that would help me. I just need to ask you some questions. I need more detail than what you provided. Not just about the tattoo, because I’m sure it’s hard for you to recall enough specific detail the about the tattoo to find it that way. I need to know a little about what your husband was like. He chose the design for a reason, he wanted a sun tattoo; and that particular sun spoke to him, why?
Also the name of the city he got the tattoo in would help a lot, and even though its been closed for a long time, the name of the tattoo parlor he went to. Even though that parlor closed, I can almost guarantee all the tattoo artists continued tattooing for a career, just in different parlors. I could possibly track down the name of the artist and view his portfolio. Not only could he have the design, but it’s possible he has a photo of your husbands actual tattoo. Most artists will take photos of all the tattoos they do, not only to showoff their work for customers, but for their own personal photo collection (their life work per say).
I feel pretty confident I can help you find what you’ve been looking for, I wouldn’t reach out to you if I wasn’t. I feel compelled to help you because it made me think of my own mother if she lost me and her trying to track down one of my tattoos. I would want someone who could, to reach out to help her because I know on her own the search would be trying to find a needle in a haystack. Please email me if you want my help. Sincerely, Bryan