What is a sun wheel?
A sun wheel (in Dutch zonnerad or zonnewiel) is a round, wheel-shaped symbol representing the sun. It usually consists of a circle with spokes, rays or a star inside. The motif is very old and has been used in many cultures as a sign of life, light, fertility and the turning of the seasons. In building, it appears mainly as a traditional decorative element on rural buildings.
Where do you find it?
- In the owl board: the timber board at the apex of the gable on Dutch farmhouses often has a round hole or a cut-out figure in the shape of a sun or wheel.
- As a gable sign: a round, cut-out or carved ornament on the gable, sometimes combined with other signs such as a tree of life.
- In brickwork and stone: as a figure laid in the brickwork or a carved relief.
Related forms are the wheel window and rose window in churches, though these mainly carry a Christian meaning.
Meaning
The sun wheel was believed to protect and bring good fortune. On a farmhouse it stood for a good harvest and prosperity. There are many interpretations of the origin and meaning of individual forms, and they are not always well supported. It is wise to be careful about firm claims on the meaning of any specific sign.
Restoration tips
- Record the original: take photos and make a measured drawing before removing anything.
- Repair like for like: replace a timber owl board preferably in oak or another durable timber, with the same shape and cut-outs.
- Protect the timber: make sure the paint system is sound and that water cannot stand in the cut edges.
- Listed building? Replacing gable decoration on a listed building often requires consent.
Related terms
- Owl board
- Symbolism in architecture
- Wheel window
- Rose window
- Ornament
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