solprikker

Solprikker is a Dutch-language term that literally means “sun pricker.” The expression is not tied to a single, standardized object or practice, and its meaning varies across regions and historical contexts. In some sources, it refers to a small pin or needle used in crafts to secure sun-themed motifs in embroidery or textile work, often with a decorative sun-shaped head.

In educational or hobby contexts, solprikker can denote a simple marker or pin used with a sundial, sun-compass, or diagram to indicate the position of the sun or to mark solar noon. The exact form and use of the object can differ, ranging from a functional indicator in backyard astronomy to a decorative element in handmade crafts.

In photography and film communities, the term has appeared as a colloquial label for a technique that involves placing a bright marker to assist alignment with sunlight during long-exposure shooting or solar-tracking experiments. Because the term is sparsely documented and its senses are regional, it rarely denotes a single, universally recognized item.

Etymology and usage notes: solprikker combines sol (sun) with prikker (pricker, pin), reflecting its general association with sun-related marking or fastening. The lack of a standardized definition means that current references describe several niche implementations rather than one fixed object.

See also: sundial, gnomon, sun marker, embroidery pin.