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What are the Signs of the Zodiac?

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

The Zodiac is an astronomical division of the sky through which the apparent paths of the sun, moon, and major planets all pass. The zodiac is considered to have 12 segments, each covering 30°, and each of which is named for a constellation, groups of stars that have acquired names in the Greco-Roman tradition, often of animals and mythological characters. Note that there are other cultural traditions of constellations that are not part of this system. For example, there are Native American, African, Hawaiian, Australian aborigine, and Arab constellations.

The measurements of the zodiac were originally taken from the point of the vernal equinox, but because of the movement of the vernal equinox along the ecliptic, the constellations of the zodiac no longer correspond properly to the 30° segments. Zodiac comes from the Greek root meaning "animal," and many of the zodiac constellations are considered to represent animals. Beginning from the vernal equinox as it was first set, this is the zodiac order:

Zodiac SignSymbolApproximate Dates
Ariesram21 March-20 April
Taurusbull21 April-21 May
Geminitwins22 May-22 June
Cancercrab23 June-23 July
Leolion24 July-23 August
Virgovirgin24 August-23 September
Librascale24 September-23 October
Scorpioscorpion24 October-22 November
Sagittariusarcher23 November-22 December
Capricorngoat23 December-19 January
Aquariuswater20 January-19 February
Piscesfish20 February-20 March
Leo represents the lion in the Zodiac.
Leo represents the lion in the Zodiac.

Astrological traditions, which study the celestial bodies and their influence on human lives, also make use of the zodiac system. In western astrology, signs are used to interpret an astrological chart that is often based on the time and place of the event being charted, often a person’s moment of birth. Zodiac symbols are also commonly seen on horoscopes found in daily newspapers and on the Internet. Unlike astrological charts, newspaper horoscopes are based on the month of birth only. Each sign is considered to have general characteristics shared by all people born in the month of that sign.

The Zodiac consists of 12 segments, which are used to determine signs.
The Zodiac consists of 12 segments, which are used to determine signs.

There are sets of signs associated with each of the four classical elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are said to be water signs. Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are called the fire signs. Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are considered to be air signs. Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are classified as the earth signs.

Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to WiseGEEK about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...
Mary Elizabeth
Mary Elizabeth

Mary Elizabeth is passionate about reading, writing, and research, and has a penchant for correcting misinformation on the Internet. In addition to contributing articles to WiseGEEK about art, literature, and music, Mary Elizabeth is a teacher, composer, and author. She has a B.A. from the University of Chicago’s writing program and an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and she has written books, study guides, and teacher materials on language and literature, as well as music composition content for Sibelius Software.

Learn more...

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    • Leo represents the lion in the Zodiac.
      By: Alta Oosthuizen
      Leo represents the lion in the Zodiac.
    • The Zodiac consists of 12 segments, which are used to determine signs.
      By: Arid Ocean
      The Zodiac consists of 12 segments, which are used to determine signs.
    • The scorpion represents the sign of the zodiac known as Scorpio.
      By: StanOd
      The scorpion represents the sign of the zodiac known as Scorpio.
    • The symbol of the zodiac sign Taurus is a bull.
      By: Tim Aßmann
      The symbol of the zodiac sign Taurus is a bull.
    • Libra is a sign of the Zodiac represented by scales.
      By: Sergey Ilin
      Libra is a sign of the Zodiac represented by scales.