sun in splendor

A representation of the sun is used as a heraldic charge. The most usual form, often called sun in splendour or in his glory, consists of a round disc with the features of a human face surrounded by twelve or sixteen rays alternating wavy and straight.Dictionary of Vexillology
Accessed 13 December 2009 The alternating straight and wavy rays are often said to represent the light and heat of the sun respectively.

It was used as a badge by Edward II of England, and was later adopted by Edward IV following the appearance of a parhelion or "sun dog" before his victory at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross in 1461.
It also had significance in alchemy, and may be a symbol of the Roman deity ''Sol Invictus'' (Unconquered Sun).Banbury Faith Trail
Accessed 13 December 2009

It is a common charge in the heraldry of many countries, regions and cities: ''e.g.'' the bearings o
Armstrong
Canada; the Sun in Splendour appears superimposed on the Cross of St. George and behind the White Rose of York on the flag of West Riding of Yorkshire; and on the arms o

England.
It also often appears as a rising sun as in the arms o

England, and as a demi sun as in the coat o
Aitchison
Canada.

The Sun of May shown on the national flags of Argentina (1818), Uruguay (1828); in the flag and shield of the South-Peruvian State (1836 - 1839); on the flag and shield of the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation (1836 - 1839); in the flag of Peru of 1812; in the current flag of the Peruvian Navy (1821); and in the current flag of the Argentine Army (1810)and that represents the Inca indigenous culture; specifically the Inca god of the sun "Inti" or also called "Sun of May", all of them identical in shape to the "Sun in Splendour" .

Examples

;Sun in splendour, with face

Image:Blason famille fr Amelot.svg,
Image:Flag_of_Argentina.svg,
Image:Blason Arraincourt 57.svg,
Image:Blason ville fr Auzeville-Tolosane (Haute-Garonne).svg,
Image:Basse terre blason.png,
Image:Blason ville-fr Bassurels (Lozère).svg,
Image:Blason Creisset.svg,
Image:CUB-cuba.png,
Image:Blason ville fr Dole (Jura).svg,
Image:Escudo de Ecija.svg,
Image:CHE Ennetburgen COA.svg,
Image:Blason ville fr Fontaines-Saint-Martin (Rhône).svg,
Image:Wappen Kaenerkinden.png,
Image:Kampod_r.gif,
Image:Coat_of_Arms_of_Khmelnytskyi_Oblast.svg,
Image:Loukov znak.png,
Image:Blason Mende.svg,
File:Flag of Peru (1822).svg,
File:Philippines flag original.png,
Image:Wappen at st gilgen.png,
Image:Escut del Soleràs.svg,
Image:POL województwo tarnopolskie II RP COA.svg,
Image:Flag_of_Uruguay.svg,
Image:Vedomice znak.jpg,
Image:Věžky PR znak.png,
Image:Coat_of_Arms_of_Vinnytsa_Oblast.svg,
Image:Coat_of_Arms_of_Zhytomyr_Oblast.svg,

;Sun in splendour, without face

Image:Escudo de Archena.svg,
Image:CH Arosa COA.svg,
Image:Blason ville fr Barbâtre (Vendée).svg,
Image:Blason ville fr La Baule-Escoublac (Loire-Atlantique).svg,
File:Flag of Colorado Party (Uruguay).svg,

;Straight rays ( mullet)

File:Escudo de Beriáin.svg,
File:DEU Dobel COA.svg,
File:Escudo de Galar.svg,
File:Flag of Greek Macedonia.svg,
File:Flag of the Republic of China.svg,
File:Flag of Tibet.svg,

;Wavy rays (estoile)

Image:Göteborg stift vapen.svg,
Image:Escut Jekabpils rajonas.jpg,
Image:Flag_of_Kazakhstan.svg,
Image:Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg,

;Without rays (roundel)

File:Australian Aboriginal Flag.svg,
Image:Flag_of_Japan.svg,
Image:Flag_of_Bangladesh.svg,

;Other forms

File:Naval Ensign of Japan.svg,
File:Coat of arms of Latvia.svg,
File:Flag_of_North_Macedonia.svg,
File:Flag_of_Philippines.svg,
File:Naval Jack of the Philippines.svg,
Image:Seal of the First Philippine Republic.svg,
File:Flag of Szekely Land.svg,
Image:Armorial Bearings of British Airways.svg,

See also

*Solar symbol
*Splendor Solis

References

{{Reflist

Heraldic charges
Sun
Sol Invictus

fr:Liste des meubles héraldiques#Soleil