What did the sun represent in the Elizabethan era?

In the Elizabethan era, the sun primarily represented orderly rule and kingship, embodying the hierarchical structure of the universe as understood through the "Great Chain of Being."

The Sun's Role in the Elizabethan Worldview

Elizabethan England viewed the cosmos as an orderly and hierarchical system, often referred to as the "Great Chain of Being." This philosophical and theological concept posited a divinely ordered structure for all existence, from God at the top down to the lowest forms of matter. Within this structured universe, clear analogies were drawn between different levels of existence to reinforce the natural order.

Symbol of Kingship and Authority

The sun, as the celestial body at the center of the perceived planetary system (Ptolemaic system was still prevalent), naturally held a position of supreme importance and authority. This cosmic arrangement served as a powerful metaphor for earthly governance:

• The sun was seen to naturally "rule" the planets, guiding their paths and providing light and warmth, much like a sovereign naturally "ruled" their subjects.
• This analogy reinforced the idea of a king's divine right to rule and the necessity of subjects' obedience to maintain social and political harmony. Any disruption to this natural order, whether in the cosmos or on Earth, was considered a grave imbalance.

The sun, therefore, was not merely a source of light, but a profound symbol of:

• Supreme Authority: Reflecting the monarch's ultimate power.
• Cosmic Order: Representing the natural, divinely ordained structure of the universe.
• Stability and Control: A stable sun meant a stable kingdom.

Analogies in the Great Chain of Being

The relationship between the sun and the planets directly mirrored the ideal relationship between a king and his people:

This deep symbolic connection underscored the Elizabethan belief in a universe where every element, from the smallest organism to the most powerful king, had its designated place and function within a divinely sanctioned hierarchy.