Lauburu — Ancient Design

In Basque, Lauburu translates to four heads (lau=four, buru=head). Anciently the design was found in the Basque Country in tombs and over the doors of ancestral farmhouses. There are many interpretations of what it represents. Some say it represents the pre-Christian worship of the sun, the circle of life, or the cross of Christ. Others say it symbolizes the four cardinal directions or the basic elements of air, fire, water, and earth. Whatever its original meaning, this ancient symbol appears on buildings and objects of all kinds and represents Basque identity, unity, and culture.The Lauburu is a sacred solar symbol that is found archaeologically as far back as the Basques themselves. In Euskara, the Basque language, Lau means four and Buru means heads; the four-heads. It is generally believed to represent natural phenomena such as the four seasons, the four cardinal directions; north, south, east and west and the four elements; earth, water, air and fire.