Sonnenrad

Sonnenrad, literally “sun wheel” in German, is a term used for a class of circular solar symbols found in various historical and contemporary contexts. The design commonly consists of a circular disc with radiating arms or spokes, and in some variants resembles a swastika-like cross or a gammadion, with four, eight, or twelve arms.

Historically, sun wheel motifs appear in many European cultures, including Germanic, Celtic, and Slavic traditions. Archaeological and art-historical examples link these symbols to solar cults, agricultural calendars, or ritual symbolism. The precise meaning and design of Sonnenrad variants vary by culture and period, making it a broad umbrella term rather than a single fixed emblem.

In modern usage, Sonnenrad can denote sun-related symbols within Germanic neopagan and occult circles, where the motif is associated with solar power, cycles of the year, and spiritual symbolism. The term also enters discussions of 20th-century nationalist iconography; in particular, the Schwarze Sonne (Black Sun) is a specific sun-wheel design associated with the SS and later adopted by some far-right groups. While related, the Schwarze Sonne is a distinct motif rather than a universal representation of all Sonnenrad symbols.

Because of its association with extremist imagery in some contexts, Sonnenrad can be a sensitive symbol in contemporary settings, and its display may be restricted or regulated in certain jurisdictions.

See also: Sun wheel, gammadion, Black Sun.