§ Symbol
Sun
Rā
Polynesia · Marquesas and Aotearoa
The sun (rā) symbolises leadership, energy and eternity in Polynesian tattooing. In Marquesan design it appears as mata o te rā, the eye of the sun, with a protective function.
§ How I draw it
9 original drawings
None of these drawings gets tattooed as it is. They're the starting point: in the consultation the motif is adapted to your anatomy and to the rest of the piece.
§ Meaning
Leadership, energy, eternity.
Rā is the sun and also the day in several Polynesian languages. As a source of energy and a measure of time, it's tied to leadership, to vitality and to the idea of eternity: it comes up every day, without exception.
In Marquesan design it often appears as mata o te rā, the «eye of the sun», a circular figure with four arms that also works as a protective element.
It's a centre motif: its radial symmetry asks for the chest, the shoulder blade or the outside of the shoulder, where it has room around it. Placed somewhere narrow it loses the radiality, which is the only thing making it a sun.
§ How it's drawn
A circle with triangular or serrated rays around the rim and a symmetrical four-armed core. The density of the rays changes its character: few and large make it forceful; many and fine make it ornamental.
§ Works well with
Interested in a piece with the sun?
In the consultation we work out how it fits your body and your story.
Book a consultation →