Signs of the Zodiac

A number, 1-12, marks each sign's place in the zodiac and each sign is identified by both an image and a symbol as well as its constellation in the heavens. A person's star sign is determined by the location of the Sun in relation to the zodiac at the time of their birth.

The spring signs of Aries the ram, Taurus the bull, and Gemini the twins are the first group of the signs of the zodiac.

1. Aries (March 21-April 19)

• Image: the ram
• Element: Fire

Aries begins on the vernal equinox, which marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Aries is a small constellation that represents the ram that Jason and the Argonauts sought to capture for its Golden Fleece. Those born under the sign of Aries are called Arians13.

2. Taurus (April 20–May 20)

• Image: the bull
• Element: earth

Mythology recognizes Taurus as the white bull disguise that Zeus assumed when presenting himself to Europa 12. A person born under the sign of Taurus is called a Taurean13.

3. Gemini (May 21–June 21)

• Image: the twins
• Element: Air

Gemini represents the sons of Zeus, the twins Castor and Pollux, whose names are given to the constellation's two brightest stars. Those born under the sign of Gemini are called Geminians13.

The summer signs of the zodiac are Cancer the crab, Leo the lion, and Virgo the virgin.

4. Cancer (June 22–July 22)

• Image: the crab
• Element: water

Cancer begins on the summer solstice, the time of year when the sun reaches its northernmost point. The sign of Cancer represents the crab crushed under the foot of Hercules. Cancer is most noted for the globular star cluster of Praesepe, the Beehive cluster. Cancerians are also called "moon children"7.

5. Leo, the lion (July 23–August 22)

• Image: the lion
• Element: fire

Egyptian, Babylonian, Arab, and Greek mythology all represent this well-defined constellation as a lion. The western part of the constellation, a curved line known as the Sickle, represents the lion's head15. In Greek mythology, Leo is the Nemean lion slain by Hercules. The Nemean lion was invulnerable to all weapons until Hercules strangled it with his bare hands. Zeus put the lion in the sky as a constellation14. Those born under the sign of Leo are simply known as "Leos".

6. Virgo (August 23–September 22)

• Image: the virgin
• Element: the earth

Virgo, the last of the summer signs, is a large constellation, represented by a maiden who holds a sheaf of grain. Virgo is also identified with goddesses of fertility such as such as Ishtar or Persephone. Those born under the sign of Virgo are called Virgoans13.

The signs of autumn are Libra the balance, Scorpio the scorpion and Sagittarius the archer.

7. Libra (September 23–October 23)

• Image: the balance or scales
• Element: Air

Sometimes identified with Astraea, the Roman goddess of justice15, Libra brings balance as she marks the second equinox of the year, the autumnal equinox. Her image is either a woman holding a balance or the balanced scale alone. One born under the sign of Libra is called a Libran13.

8. Scorpio (October 24–November 21)

• Image: the scorpion
• Element: water

Scorpius is one of the most vivid constellations in the sky with the bright red star Antares positioned in its heart16. In astrology, the constellation Scorpius is called Scorpio. Its image refers to the Greek myth of the scorpion that stung Orion, a tale that explains why the constellation of Orion sets as Scorpius rises in the sky15. Those born under the sign of Scorpio are simply called "Scorpios".

9. Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)

• Image: the archer
• Element: fire

From the Latin sagitta for arrow8, Sagittarius is the last of the autumn signs of the zodiac. Sagittarius is set in a large constellation that represents a centaur (half man, half horse) carrying a bow and arrow11. His arrow points at the red heart of Scorpio. One who is born
under the sign of Sagittarius is called a Sagittarian2.

The winter signs of the zodiac are Capricorn the goat, Aquarius the water bearer, and Pisces the fish.

10. Capricorn (December 22–January 19)

• Image: the goat
• Element: earth

At the time when it's at the southernmost point, the Sun enters the sign of Capricorn, heralding the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemishphere. Identified with the Greek god, Pan, the constellation Capricornus (the Sea Goat) is called Capricorn only in Astrology6. Those born under the sign of Capricorn are called Capricornians13.

11. Aquarius (January 20–February 18)

• Image: the water bearer
• Element: Air

From Latin "of water", when used as a noun Aquarius means "water carrier" or "water bearer"8. The dim constellation of Aquarius depicts a man pouring water from a jar, which flows into the mouth of the fish, Fomalhuat, the brightest star in the constellation of Pisces16. Those born under the sign of Aquarius are called Aquarians13.

12. Pisces (February 19–March 20).

• Image: the fish
• Element: water

Pisces, the final constellation of the zodiac, represents two fish5. In Sanskrit, Pisces was the name of the daughter of the goddess of dawn, also called Meenakshi. The short version of the name, Meena means "having eyes shaped like a fish"17. In one version of a Greek myth, Aphrodite and Eros jumped into a river to escape the monster Typhon and were changed into fish. In another version, two fish carried them to safety. Those born under the sign of Pisces are called Pisceans13.