The most conventionalized sun emblem is a circle or ring with attached
feathers. The Sikyatki design (pl. 87, _b_) is a circle bearing on its
periphery appendages believed to represent feathers, with accompanying
lines, generally painted red, to represent the rays of the sun.[37]
[Illustration: FIG. 91.—Ring with appended feathers.]
The identification of the bird whose feathers are used in sun emblems has
not yet been made, although the position of similar feathers on the body
of other bird designs suggests that they represent eagle feathers. The
feather of the eagle is commonly associated with both ancient and modern
pictures representing the sun. Thus we have on a vessel from Sikyatki in
figure 91 a design bearing four feathers arranged at intervals a quadrant
apart alternating with radiating lines. If we interpret this figure in
the light of modern symbolism the circle would be regarded as the sun
and the feathers would be identified as eagle feathers, while the lines
might be considered to represent the red rays of the four cardinal points.
[Illustration: