The Winged Sun Disk

The winged sun disk is one of the most widespread ancient symbols that is still in use today.

The vulture wings represent protection and also the heavens - that is the highest order.

The serpents on either side of the sun disk represent equipoise (balancing) of opposing forces.

In the broadest sense, the winged sun disk represents matter in the state of sublimation and transfiguration.

(Sublimation: refine, purify, idealize, divert energy of primitive impulse into culturally higher activity)

(Transfiguration: change of form or appearance so as to elevate or idealize)

The disk is found over doorways in pharonic Egyptian temples and tombs. Here it represents the God Horus. The wings are of Goddess Isis who protects him. The snakes represent upper and lower Egypt. The sun represents Horus' identification with the light in his fight against evil.