A solar symbol is a sign that represents the sun. Solar symbols could include circles with and without rays, crosses, and spirals.
The Jurchens had a widespread cult of earthly and solar fire, which, according to their belief, was feared by evil spirits. This cult is connected to the custom of making bronze amulets and applying various solar symbols to ceramic vessels. Most often, those symbols were round stamps with a relief cross inside or rosettes of two and four simple crosses intersecting each other.
The Jurchens believed that solar symbols on the vessels blocked evil spirits from accessing the food that it contained and thus protected it from spoilage.
Solar symbolism played an important role in the life of every people and had wide applications. Each pattern had its own purpose and could serve as a protective charm. Ancient solar symbols were used to protect homes.
It is believed that the sun cult appeared in the Neolithic period. At the same time, such cults are typical of almost everyone: farmers, herders, and hunter-fishers. The cult of the sun was similar among different ethnic groups who lived far from each other and had no connection.
The symbolic signs associated with the sun cult were also similar. These signs have been preserved by many peoples of the world in one form or another, usually in decorative patterns of embroidery, folk craft and everyday life objects.
Archaeological finds also speak of the ancient sun cult. Some solar symbols discovered by researchers date back 20,000 to 29,000 years. They were found in the burials of mammoth hunters. The solar symbols were arranged in a specific way, supporting the version about their cult purpose.
