The Sun – Provider of Life
Throughout history and across various cultures and religions, Sun worship has taken many forms, including sacrificial practices and architectural constructions. Deities associated with the Sun have frequently been central to their respective belief systems. Notable examples of prominent Sun worship include the Inti God of the Incas in Peru, the Nabateans' Dushara in Jordan's Petra city, and Shintoism's Amaterasu in Japan. The Inca people in South America regarded their Sun God, Inti, as one of their most important deities and they designed their architecture around the worship of the Sun, using pillars to mark the Sun's position at different solstices. The annual Inti Ramyi festival, which takes place on the summer solstice, still features singing, dancing, and drinking. Similarly, the Nabateans had a Sun-centred spirituality, with Dushara being one of their prominent deities, who was worshipped from temple rooftops. Some of the monuments in Petra suggest that equinoxes and solstices were significant events for the Nabateans. Finally, in the Shinto religion, the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, holds a crucial position as the ruler of the High Celestial Plain, and a well-known myth explains how her disappearance resulted in the world being plunged into darkness and light only returning upon her re-emergence. It is also believed that the emperors of Japan are descendants of Amaterasu.
Sun worship was also significant in astrological and astronomical observations and studies. These civilisations developed complex calendars based on the movements of the sun and stars. The Sun is a star, located at the centre of our solar system. It is a nearly perfect sphere of hot plasma, with internal convective motion that generates a magnetic field through a dynamo process. The Sun's energy is derived from nuclear fusion reactions in its core, which convert hydrogen into helium. Its radiant energy provides light and heat to support life on Earth.
“O, Sunlight! The most precious gold to be found on Earth.” Roman Payne.
Most people enjoy the Sun and take its present for granted. We go swimming, boating, paddle-boarding, kayaking, fishing, and many other water sports that we can enjoy during the summer season. Then there are the outdoor concerts and pop festivals, the amusement parks and waterparks, and off course the sandy beaches which are one of our all-time favourite summer destinations, perfect to absorb some Sunshine and get a nice tan. The summer is also the perfect time to host a BBQ party. Invite some friends and enjoy grilled food, good music, and games in your backyard. In addition, we book flights to sun-drenched holiday destinations. In a nutshell, the Sun provides various recreational options for us humans which significantly contribute to the quality of our lives. However, our Sun gives us so much more…Life on our precious planet depends on the Sun for various reasons:
Energy Source: The Sun acts as the primary source of energy for life on Earth via photosynthesis, which is the process by which plants convert sunlight into food.
Temperature Regulation: The Sun provides heat to the Earth and maintains a stable temperature range necessary for the survival of most species.
Nutrient Cycle: The Sun also drives the water cycle and other nutrient cycles on Earth that sustain life by providing necessary elements for growth.
Gravity: The gravitational pull of the Sun also keeps the planets in orbit and maintains the stability of the solar system.
Therefore, without the Sun, there would be no energy or heat source, no nutrient cycles, and no gravitationally stable solar system to support life as we know it.
Benefits of Sunlight
Vitamin D: Sunlight is the best natural source of vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones, as well as supporting a strong immune system and reducing the risk of certain diseases. Vitamin D is known as a fat-soluble vitamin as it dissolves perfectly in fatty substances. From a nutritional point of view, it is essential for the proper functioning of the human body. However, it is thanks to the ultraviolet rays of the Sun that the body naturally synthesises vitamin D.
It is essential to know that there are 2 types of vitamin D:
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) which is found in foods of animal origin such as offal. It is the latter that is synthesised thanks to UVB.
- Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) which is found more in the plant world (mushrooms, avocados, etc.).
The internal and physiological process of vitamin D synthesis is rigorous. The synthesis begins with the epidermis which captures and absorbs the UVB rays emitted by the Sun. Then, inactive vitamin D is created from cholesterol. It then becomes active when it reaches the liver and kidneys. Thanks to Vitamin D, the benefits of the Sun are undeniable since it is sometimes recognised as being a steroid hormone, a hormone created from cholesterol.
Vitamin D contributes to the fundamental balance of the body since it:
- Contributes to the maintenance of normal bones and normal teeth.
- It is necessary for normal growth and bone development in children.
- It helps reduce the risk of falls associated with postural instability and muscle weakness.
- It contributes to the normal absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus.
- It contributes to normal serum calcium.
- It contributes to the maintenance of normal muscle function.
- It contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system.
- It plays a role in the process of cell division.
You should know that exposing yourself to the Sun's rays in the early morning for about 20 minutes with your forearms uncovered is enough to synthesise a good amount of vitamin D. Food supplements based on vitamin D are also interesting when the Sun is scarce, in autumn and winter. For more information, ask a doctor for advice. It is not uncommon for the UK population to lack vitamin D. Fortunately there is a solution for those not getting enough sunlight. Learn more about it here.
“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house." - Nathaniel Hawthorne
The Sun Makes us Happy: Sunlight is known to boost serotonin levels in the brain, which can help improve mood and alleviate symptoms of depression. The Sun can make humans feel happy because it stimulates the production of serotonin, a hormone in the brain that affects mood. Sunlight exposure also helps regulate the body's circadian rhythm and can improve sleep quality, which can also contribute to a better mood. And as we said before, Sunlight exposure can increase vitamin D production, which has been linked to improved mental health.
The Sun Improves Skin Issues: Sunlight can be beneficial for some skin conditions, but it's important to take precautions to prevent further damage. Sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D, which is important for skin health, but excessive exposure to UV rays can lead to skin damage, premature ageing, and skin cancers. For some skin conditions, such as psoriasis, exposure to Sunlight can help improve symptoms. However, for many other skin conditions, such as rosacea and eczema, too much Sunlight can actually exacerbate the condition. It's important to talk to a dermatologist about the best way to manage your skin condition and safely incorporate Sunlight into your skin care routine.
Lowers Blood Pressure: Sunlight exposure has been shown to lead to lower blood pressure, which can have positive effects on overall cardiovascular health.
Increases Bone Density: Along with vitamin D, Sunlight exposure has been shown to increase bone density, reducing the risk of fractures and osteoporosis.
Supports our Immune Systems: Sunlight exposure can support the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells, which help to protect the body against infection and disease.
Tanning: Getting a tan from the Sun has gotten a bad reputation over the years but that’s been largely unwarranted. Tanning, when done correctly, is safe and provides many health benefits. It can be a positive part of our lives. Science has proven that most persons are more attracted to people with a tan. As a result, persons who tan regularly report feelings of being more confident and getting more attention from the opposite sex. While some people consider this superficial, I’d disagree. Feeling confident and looking better gives you more energy to tackle the day, and that is a positive thing. Our devices (like smartphones and laptops) emit blue light. People need a balance of blue and red light in order to function optimally. Tanning provides red light exposure that aids to fix this balance which makes us feel better, reduces aches, and prevents the development of many ailments.
“The sun,--the bright sun, that brings back, not light alone, but new life, and hope, and freshness to man--burst upon the crowded city in clear and radiant glory. Through costly-coloured glass and paper-mended window, through cathedral dome and rotten crevice, it shed its equal ray.” - Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist
