What is your zodiac sign?
Your zodiac sign usually means your Sun sign: the sign occupied by the Sun at your birth in the astrological system you are using. This guide uses the Western tropical zodiac, with twelve signs and conventional date ranges.
Near a boundary, the year, birth time and time zone matter. The dates below are approximate calendar guides, not exact cut-offs for every birth year. A chart calculation can identify the placement used by a tradition; it does not validate its interpretation.
Read the personality descriptions as symbolic traditions, not established facts about people or predictions of their future. Astronomy studies celestial objects using scientific evidence; astrology assigns them meanings that scientific testing has not confirmed.
Signs, seasons and constellations
The tropical zodiac divides a circle into twelve equal sectors. Its starting point is tied to the March equinox. The signs share names with constellations, but they are not identical to the unequal star patterns recognized in astronomy.
Why are there twelve signs?
The twelve-sign system has roots in ancient astrology. In this convention, each sign occupies one twelfth of the zodiac circle.
The number of traditional signs is a feature of that system, not a count of all the constellations crossed by the Sun’s apparent path.
What about Ophiuchus?
Ophiuchus is an astronomical constellation along that path. Its existence does not add a thirteenth sign to the conventional tropical zodiac.
NASA did not change anyone’s astrological sign. A discussion of constellations is not a new set of tropical sign dates.
Why can different guides give different dates?
Short date lists simplify the moment when the Sun passes from one tropical sign to another. That moment does not fall at midnight on the same calendar date every year.
If your birthday falls near a boundary, use a calculation that includes your birth year, time and time zone rather than choosing between two generic date lists.
Other traditions use different reference systems. A sidereal calculation may give a different sign from a tropical calculation for the same birth.
The following dates are approximate tropical conventions. The Chinese and Vedic systems are introduced later so their different definitions are not confused.
The twelve signs: approximate dates and traditional meanings
Aries: approximately March 21 to April 19
Aries is represented by the ram and belongs to the fire element. Traditional interpretations associate it with initiative and energy.
An Aries portrait often emphasizes starting projects and acting directly.
These themes do not establish leadership ability or how someone behaves with a partner.
Here's a detailed overview of the Aries zodiac sign
Taurus: approximately April 20 to May 20
Taurus is represented by the bull and belongs to the earth element. Traditional interpretations associate it with stability and persistence.
Traditional Taurus descriptions focus on comfort, patience and practical concerns.
They are not proof that a person is stubborn, possessive or resistant to others.
Here's a detailed overview of the Taurus zodiac sign
Gemini: approximately May 21 to June 20
Gemini is represented by the twins and belongs to the air element. Traditional interpretations associate it with curiosity and communication.
Gemini is often portrayed through variety, exchange and multiple perspectives.
That symbolism does not establish indecision or emotional distance.
Here's a detailed overview of the Gemini zodiac sign
Cancer: approximately June 21 to July 22
Cancer is represented by the crab and belongs to the water element. Traditional interpretations associate it with sensitivity and attachment.
Traditional Cancer portraits emphasize home, familiarity and care.
They do not show that someone is more intuitive or likely to hold grudges.
Here's a detailed overview of the Cancer zodiac sign
Leo: approximately July 23 to August 22
Leo is represented by the lion and belongs to the fire element. Traditional interpretations associate it with self-expression and creativity.
Leo is often associated with visibility, warmth and pride.
Those themes do not establish confidence, leadership or possessiveness.
Here's a detailed overview of the Leo zodiac sign
Virgo: approximately August 23 to September 22
Virgo is represented by the maiden and belongs to the earth element. Traditional interpretations associate it with careful analysis and practicality.
Traditional Virgo descriptions emphasize detail, order and usefulness.
They do not demonstrate exceptional problem-solving ability or a critical temperament.
Here's a detailed overview of the Virgo zodiac sign
Libra: approximately September 23 to October 22
Libra is represented by the scales and belongs to the air element. Traditional interpretations associate it with balance and relationships.
Libra is often associated with diplomacy, fairness and aesthetics.
This does not mean every person can see all sides of an issue or avoids disagreement.
Here's a detailed overview of the Libra zodiac sign
Scorpio: approximately October 23 to November 21
Scorpio is represented by the scorpion and belongs to the water element. Traditional interpretations associate it with intensity and emotional depth.
Traditional Scorpio portraits emphasize privacy, determination and transformation.
They do not justify assumptions about jealousy, loyalty or possessiveness.
Here's a detailed overview of the Scorpio zodiac sign
Sagittarius: approximately November 22 to December 21
Sagittarius is represented by the archer and belongs to the fire element. Traditional interpretations associate it with exploration and optimism.
These symbolic themes do not establish a love of travel or a reluctance to commit.
Here's a detailed overview of the Sagittarius zodiac sign
Capricorn: approximately December 22 to January 19
Capricorn is represented by the sea-goat and belongs to the earth element. Traditional interpretations associate it with structure and perseverance.
A Capricorn portrait is not evidence that someone puts work ahead of relationships.
Here's a detailed overview of the Capricorn zodiac sign
Aquarius: approximately January 20 to February 18
Aquarius is represented by the water bearer and belongs to the air element. Traditional interpretations associate it with originality and independence.
Despite its name and symbol, Aquarius belongs to the air element in Western astrology.
Its symbolism does not establish humanitarian priorities or emotional detachment.
Here's a detailed overview of the Aquarius zodiac sign
Pisces: approximately February 19 to March 20
Pisces is represented by the fish and belongs to the water element. Traditional interpretations associate it with imagination and sensitivity.
Traditional Pisces portraits emphasize compassion and the inner world.
They do not determine religious beliefs or emotional needs.
Here's a detailed overview of the Pisces zodiac sign
The twelve zodiac symbols
These names identify the traditional figures associated with the signs. They are symbols, not descriptions of a person’s character.
Aries: ram.
Taurus: bull.
Gemini: twins.
Cancer: crab.
Leo: lion.
Virgo: maiden.
Libra: scales.
Scorpio: scorpion.
Sagittarius: archer.
Capricorn: sea-goat.
Aquarius: water bearer.
Pisces: fish.
The four elements in astrology
The four elements are fire, water, earth and air. The linked descriptions below preserve conventional astrological shorthand, not factual character assessments. Absolute phrases such as “always there” are not literal guarantees about people; the traits are symbolic associations, not scientifically demonstrated effects.
The fire signs (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius) : The fire signs are bold, audacious, inventive, and daring; they can also burn too brightly and have fiery tempers
The Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) : The water signs are emotional, intuitive, and deeply connected with their subconscious. Feelings may at times overwhelm them. They are always there to support their loved ones
The earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn) : The earth element signs are solid and practical, yet they are also sensual and drawn to material goods. They can be stubborn and uncooperative
The air signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) : The air signs are talkative, sharp, and intellectual, but they can also be easily enthralled by speculation and ideology
The Sun, Moon and planets in a birth chart
A Sun sign is one placement used in astrology, not a complete personality profile.
A birth chart also represents the Moon and planets at a particular time. Astrologers interpret their relationships within their chosen system.
More detail in a chart does not establish that its interpretation is scientifically valid. The calculation of a position and a claim about personality are different questions.
The Moon sign describes the Moon’s zodiac position. The ascendant, or rising sign, is the sign rising on the eastern horizon at the time and place of birth.
The descriptions below explain symbolic roles in astrology. They do not establish that celestial bodies cause these qualities or events.
The Sun
In astrology, the Sun symbolizes identity and self-expression. These are interpretive themes, not measurements of confidence or ability.
The Sun is a star, not a planet in the astronomical sense. Astrological terminology sometimes groups it with the bodies used in a chart.
The Moon
The Moon is Earth’s natural satellite. Astrologers associate it with emotions and the inner world; it is not an astronomical planet or a validated measure of emotional responses.
Mercury
Mercury traditionally symbolizes thought and communication. Its chart placement does not establish how clearly someone thinks or speaks.
Venus
Venus is associated with affection, beauty and relationships in astrology. It does not reveal a person’s capacity to love or guarantee relationship outcomes.
Mars
Mars is associated with action, energy and desire. These are symbolic themes rather than evidence of a celestial cause of ambition.
Saturn
Saturn is associated with structure, limits and discipline. Its placement does not establish the stability of a relationship or promise rewards for effort.
Jupiter
Jupiter is associated with growth and abundance in astrology. A chart cannot establish where someone will become prosperous.
Uranus
Uranus is associated with originality, change and unconventional ideas in modern astrology. These meanings do not demonstrate an effect on personality.
Neptune
Neptune is associated with imagination and dreams. Such interpretations should not be confused with therapeutic advice or evidence about psychological health.
Pluto
Pluto is associated with transformation in modern astrology. This symbolism is not a warning that a particular change must occur.
Now that you've learned all of that, you can start looking at your natal chart and really go deep to try to understand different aspects of your personality.
The invitation above is to explore a symbolic interpretation through an astrology app, not to obtain a scientifically validated personality assessment. Do not treat a chart as a diagnosis or a prediction.
Zodiac compatibility: a symbolic comparison
Astrological compatibility compares signs or charts within a tradition. It is not a reliable way to determine whether two people will form a successful relationship.
One common approach compares Sun signs. More elaborate readings use additional chart placements, but greater complexity is not proof of predictive accuracy.
For example, some traditions describe shared elements as affinities. This is an interpretive convention, not a requirement for a good relationship.
Use these comparisons as a conversation topic if you enjoy them. They do not justify labelling a partner as inherently compatible or incompatible.
Find out whether you and your partner are soul mates, BFFs, or a recipe for disaster!
Polarity in astrology
Polarity groups fire and air signs together, and earth and water signs together. These groups are often called positive and negative, or active and receptive.
Positive and negative are traditional labels, not judgments of value. They do not mean good and bad, and they do not determine a person’s gender.
The table groups the elements by their traditional polarity and symbolic themes. Positive and negative are category names here, not judgments about whether a sign or person is good or bad.
Modalities in astrology
The three modalities are cardinal, fixed and mutable. The list below gives their traditional memberships and associated themes; it does not establish how individuals behave.
- Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn): These signs are associated with the qualities of leadership, initiative, and ambition
- Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius): These signs are linked with the qualities of stability, determination, and persistence
- Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces): These signs are connected with the qualities of adaptability, flexibility, and versatility
Cardinal is associated with starting, fixed with sustaining and mutable with adapting. A modality and an element are two different classifications.
For example, Capricorn is a cardinal earth sign and Virgo is a mutable earth sign. This is a classification within astrology, not evidence that two friends must behave differently.
Essential dignities in astrology
Essential dignities are traditional classifications of a celestial body’s placement: domicile, detriment, exaltation and fall. The terms do not measure physical strength or a person’s prospects.
- Dignity: When a planet is compatible with a sign and with its nature and can therefore express itself more thoroughly and effectively.
- Detriment: This is the opposite of dignity. It's when a planet is clashing with certain sign, not allowing it to express itself at its fullest.Exaltation: A planet is considered to be in its exaltation when it's in a sign that brings out the best out of it (Best qualities and highest potential).
- At fall: A planet is in its fall when it is in a sign that diminishes its effectiveness and suppresses its positive qualities.
The table lists traditional dignity assignments for the seven classical celestial bodies. These are conventions used in astrology, not scientific measurements of a planet’s influence or a person’s prospects.
Frequently asked questions
Is astrology scientifically established?
Astrology is a cultural and symbolic practice. Its continued use does not establish that birth signs determine personality or predict events.
NASA distinguishes astrology from the scientific study of celestial objects. Accurate astronomical positions do not, by themselves, validate an astrological interpretation.
The University of California at Berkeley’s Understanding Science resource explains that carefully tested astrological expectations have not been supported by the evidence.
You can enjoy a reading as a story or reflective prompt without treating it as a scientific assessment or using it to decide important personal matters.
What is Vedic astrology?
Vedic astrology is an Indian astrological tradition, often called jyotish. It uses a different framework from the tropical date guide above.
Many Vedic approaches use a sidereal zodiac, referenced to the stars, rather than the tropical zodiac’s seasonal reference point.
A sidereal and tropical chart may therefore assign different signs to the same birth. The attributed quotation below describes a practitioner’s cultural perspective: its use of the word “science” is not evidence of scientific validation. The attribution currently links only to a page anchor, not to a verifiable source.
"Vedic astrology holds within it the rich spiritual wisdom and mythical traditions of old Indian culture," explains Pamela McDonough, founder of Moondance Vedic Astrology and author of Vedic Astrology for Beginners. "Even today, in much of India, jyotish is an accepted science and, for many, part of their way of life."
What is the Chinese zodiac?
The Chinese zodiac associates years with a repeating sequence of twelve animal signs. It is not the same system as Western Sun signs based on dates within a year.
Its animal sequence is Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat or Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
This is a cultural classification of calendar years, not a scientifically established explanation of personality.
The five traditional Chinese elements are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. They should not be confused with the four elements used in Western astrology.
A birth-year animal and a Western Sun sign answer different questions within their respective traditions. Neither establishes what will happen in someone’s future.