Religion
of Sun
Hans Christian Andersen
Just living is not enough… One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower
Antiquity and the Sun
Ancient civilizations viewed the Sun not merely as a celestial body, but also as a divine symbol and a source of energy and light. Cults of the Sun were prevalent in ancient Egypt, Rome, Greece, China, America, India, and beyond. Recognizing the Earth’s dependence on sunlight and energy, ancient peoples held great respect and reverence for it
Why forget the Sun?
People haven’t stopped worshipping the Sun; it remains revered in many parts of our planet. Additionally, competition among religions played a role. For instance, there was a strong cult of the god Sol in ancient Rome before the rise of Christianity. The Sun was seen as a direct competitor to monotheism. However, it’s not as straightforward as that. We can observe interesting parallels between the life of Jesus Christ and the annual solar cycle, serving as an allegory of human life
The Sun and the life cycle
Jesus’s birth on December 25th aligns with the rebirth of the Sun after the winter solstice. Just as the Sun begins its journey through the houses of the zodiac, Jesus embarks on his own journey, starting as a small child. By springtime, at Easter, he is akin to a meaningful boy, while in summer, he resembles a man full of life, ready for accomplishments and deeds. Autumn serves as a summing up of life’s results. The three days around the winter solstice symbolize rebirth and the commencement of a new cycle of life
Egyptian darkness
A prime example of a challenging period in human history was the famous Darkness of Egypt. Around 1600 BCE, there occurred a massive eruption of the volcano Santorini, resulting in the strongest tsunami that devastated coastal cities. An entire island was left uninhabitable (often considered to be Atlantis). The eruption caused volcanic emissions to create an impenetrable and poisonous cloud in the sky over a vast area for an extended period. This had significant repercussions for many countries and peoples in the Middle East and Egypt. It’s possible that this event corresponds to the Darkness of Egypt mentioned in the Bible, leading to human distress due to the prolonged absence of sunlight
How the Sun was worshipped
Various religions have practiced rituals related to the Sun, aimed at attracting blessings and solar energy. Objects that accumulated sunlight were considered sacred. For instance, in ancient Egypt, bowls filled with solar photons were revered, and the drink in these bowls was regarded as special and highly energetic
What they asked of the Sun
In ancient times, people would often invoke the Sun for strength and energy before embarking on important endeavors such as weddings, journeys, or the construction of a city. They would seek blessings for a bountiful harvest, the birth of a first-born child, success and good luck in their endeavors, as well as health and the fulfillment of their wishes
Surya namaskar
“Surya Namaskar” is a series of 12 yoga postures, a ritualistic homage to the Sun at sunrise. Originating in India, it was initially a religious practice dedicated to worshiping the Sun God
Sun symbols in religions
The primary symbol of the Sun is the halo, a glowing aura around the head symbolizing light and holiness. This symbol is present in many ancient religions, including Christianity, where it is often depicted as either a shining Sun behind the head or a crown of sunbeams
The Sun and the future
Belief in the Sun can be found among all peoples inhabiting the Earth, suggesting a universal and common feature known as solar religion. The language of the Sun, comprised of light, heat, and life energy, is universally understood by all people. It constantly sends these energies through space to everyone. Perhaps, when the Sun’s light penetrates minds, divisions between people will cease to exist. There will be no more borders, no more wars, as these are constructs created by people themselves
Sun gods
Sol
The Sun god in ancient Rome was Sol, often depicted driving a chariot across the sky. Many languages have named the Sun in honor of this Roman god
Amon-Ra
The ancient Egyptian god is often depicted in a dual form. Amun represents the sky and wind, while Ra symbolizes the Sun
Helios
The god you’re referring to is likely Helios from ancient Greek mythology. The element helium is indeed named after him
Surya
The Indian Sun god known for over 5000 years is Surya. The practice of Surya Namaskar, or salutation to the Sun, is dedicated to him
Mithra
The Persian Sun god you’re referring to is likely Mithra. He was highly revered across vast territories, from India to Turkey
Inti
The chief god of the Incas was Inti, the Sun god. Inca rulers were believed to be the embodiment of the Sun on Earth. Additionally, gold was considered a divine metal in Inca culture
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