Hittite sun disk
from Hittite and Hattic terms for sun and disc
An ancient Anatolian bronze symbol used in Hattian and Hittite religious ceremonies
The Hittite sun disk is a pre-Hittite Anatolian symbol dating to the early Bronze Age. It was used in religious ceremonies and buried with Hatti kings. The design features horns, birds, and solar elements.
- Found in 13 royal tombs at Alaca Höyük
- Dates to the 20th century BC
- Made of bronze with horn and bird motifs
- Used by Hattis before Hittites
- Symbol of Ankara until 1995
What it is
The Hittite sun disk is an ancient symbol from Anatolia, originating with the Hattis before the Hittite settlement. It appears in four main forms: semi-circular, diamond-shaped, circular with bulls' horns, and complex designs with animals. These bronze discs were central to religious life, representing the sun or earth. The symbol signifies fertility and nature's procreation through its horn and bird motifs.
Where it comes from
The symbol belongs to the Hattis, a pre-Hittite culture. It dates back to around 4250 years ago, predating Hittite arrival by about 300 years. Archaeologists found these disks in at least 13 royal tombs at Alaca Höyük from the early Bronze Age. The design evolved into the Hittite Sun Course Monument later.
How it is done
Hatti kings were buried with four to five of these symbols during funeral ceremonies. The discs were placed as part of the burial rites. They were also used in ongoing religious ceremonies. The specific rituals are not detailed, but their presence in tombs indicates a role in guiding or honoring the deceased.
Tools and materials
The primary material is bronze. Key visual elements include two horn-like protrusions at the bottom, representing unclear concepts, and top protrusions symbolizing fertility. Birds on the disc represent freedom and fertility. The circle itself stands for the sun or the earth.
Hittite sun disk, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Hattian religion
- Timing
- in funeral ceremonies and daily rituals
What it is for
The disk served religious and funerary purposes. It was believed to connect the living and the dead through burial rites. In daily practice, it likely invoked protection or blessing through its association with the sun and nature's fertility. It was a key object for priests and royalty.
Who does it
Hatti kings and priests used the symbol. Kings were buried with multiple discs, suggesting elite status. Priests conducted the religious ceremonies where the disk was prominent. The symbol was integral to the spiritual authority of the Hattian and Hittite ruling class.
Peoples and places
The Hattis created the original symbol. The Hittites adopted and adapted it, creating variations like the diamond shape. Today, it remains a cultural icon in Turkey, used by institutions like Ankara University and the city of Ankara historically.
At a glance: who, where and when
Who does it
Belief worlds
Occasions
What people believe
The Hattis viewed the sun disk as a powerful natural force. The horns and birds were not just decorative but symbolic of life, fertility, and freedom. The circle represented the cosmos, either the sky or the ground. It was a sacred object bridging the human and divine realms.
When it is done
The disk was used in funeral ceremonies for kings. It was also part of general religious practices. No specific festivals are mentioned, but its use in tombs links it to ancestral veneration and the afterlife.
How scholars and sceptics see it
Researchers from Ankara University have studied the symbol's components. They note the ambiguity of the bottom horns. The distinction between Hattian and Hittite usage is recognized. The symbol's evolution from simple to complex designs is tracked through archaeological finds.
Cautions and what is closed
The symbol is now a historical artifact and civic emblem. Its use by modern entities like Eti and Ankara University is secular or institutional rather than religious.
Compare and confuse
The Hittite sun disk is related to other ancient Near Eastern solar symbols. It differs from the Egyptian sun disk in its specific horn and bird motifs. The Hittite Sun Course Monument is a modern replication of one of its complex forms.
Law and persecution
The symbol was once the official emblem of Ankara until 1995, when it was replaced by an Islamic symbol. It is now used by universities and companies without legal restriction. There are no laws protecting it as a religious artifact specifically.
Questions people ask about Hittite sun disk
What is the Hittite sun disk?
It is an ancient Anatolian bronze symbol used by the Hattis and Hittites. It represents the sun or earth and features horns and birds. It was used in religious ceremonies and burials.
Where does it come from?
It originates with the Hattis, a pre-Hittite people of Anatolia. It predates the Hittite empire by about 300 years. Most examples were found in royal tombs at Alaca Höyük.
What do the symbols mean?
The circle represents the sun or earth. Top protrusions symbolize fertility. Birds stand for freedom and nature. The bottom horns have unclear meanings.
Is it still used today?
Yes, as a cultural symbol. It was Ankara's emblem until 1995. It is now used by Ankara University and the food company Eti. It is not used in active religious practice.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Hittite sun disk", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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