There are many variations of the Sharingan that different characters possess or are evolved forms of the eye. The different types of Sharingan are: the partially activated Sharingan with one comma, which indicates the user is only a novice Sharingan user; the partially activated Sharingan with two commas, indicating that the user has greater control over their Sharingan techniques, the fully activated Sharingan with three commas, which indicates that the user has mastered the Sharingan and the Mangekyou Sharingan, which is an evolved form of the Sharingan which opens up more powerful techniques. Each individual character who has activated the Mangekyou Sharingan has had distinct eye pattern, although this doesn't have any bearing on what skills they can access. The Mangekyou Sharingan appears as a variation of a kaleidoscope design for each character and those who possess it include Uchiha Itachi, Hatake Kakashi, Uchiha Izuna, Uchiha Sasuke and Uchiha Madara.
Amaterasu is a technique which is only available to users of the Mangekyou Sharingan. Translated as "Goddess of the Sun" it is a secret bloodline technique that creates a powerful black flame which can burn through any substance and is said to burn for seven days and seven nights. The attack depletes large amounts of chakra and overusing the technique will eventually lead to blindness in the Sharingan user, as happened to Uchiha Itachi.
Izanagi, which translates as "Forefather God," is a technique which enables the Sharingan user to turn wounds and injuries into an illusion. It gives the user complete creative control of their reality, allowing them to make their imaginations real. Only ninjas who have trained in both the Uchiha jutsu and the Senju jutsu can use this technique. The technique was forbidden by the Uchiha because use of the technique leaves the user blind. ANBU Root Leader Danzou managed to prolong his usages of the technique by implanting various Sharingan eyes within his body.
Tsukuyomi or "God of the Moon" is a Mangekyou Sharingan technique which allows the user to draw their opponent into an illusory world, where they are subjected to the whim of the Sharingan user. Users of this technique have full control of space and time within their victims mind and can torture them for a period of several days, in the span of a few real world seconds. This Genjutsu technique, however, requires a great deal of chakra and thus is used sparingly.
Susanoo or "God of the Sea and Storms" is one of the most powerful Sharingan techniques. Requiring the Mangekyou Sharingan, it enables the user to summon an invisible, sword wielding demonic avatar, who can aid in both attack and defense. The demon wields the powerful Totsuka's Sword and the impenetrable Yata's Shield. The technique is first used by Uchiha Itachi in his fight against Sasuke, and later in a modified form by Sasuke himself. Extensive usage of this technique rapidly depletes the Sharingan user's eyesight.
Other Sharingan techniques include: Kamui or "God's Majetsy," a technique used by Kakashi to create an imploding transportation vortex; Tensha Fuuin, a form of Amaterasu implanted in Sasuke's eye by Itachi to protect him against Madara; Bunshin Bakuha or "Shadow Clone Explosion"; Goukakyuu no Jutsu or "Great Fireball Technique"; Housenka no Jutsu or "Mythical Fire Phoenix Technique"; and Ryuuka no Jutsu or "Dragon Fire Technique".