The Origins.
Since I have pretty much covered the basic of Astrology. Something came up to me recently. It’s time to rewind a little.
In this post, I will be discussing the origins of Zodiac and the meaning of each Zodiac sign.
The term Zodiac derives from Latin zōdiacus, which in its turn comes from the Greek, it means “circle of animals”. It is used to describe the circle of twelve 30° divisions of celestial longitude that are centered upon the ecliptic path of the sun.
Every culture has its own beliefs systems, now, and in ancient cultures. The stars are just one of the many things that human beings have turned to for answers over the years. Travelers used the skies as a compass, and many people used the skies as a source of mystical direction as well. But who? Exactly who came up with this way of thinking?
Astronomers and historians noted that all of these ideas came together when Alexander the Great conquered Eygpt around 330 BC.
Mhmm.
Here’s how NASA previously described the logic that led to the creation of the familiar zodiac signs known today:
Astrology - in the broadest sense - is the search for purpose in the heavens.
Note that there’s a difference between Astrology and Astronomy. For centuries it was considered basically the same thing. However, things changed around the beginning of the enlightenment in the late 17th century. Astronomy came to be known as a science and Astrology not so much. But its popularity in recent years seems to have increased. It relies on factors that numbers cannot compute. In a 2014 poll study by the National Science Foundation, it is shown that more than half of millennials think Astrology is science. Why is that? Bear with me, I’ll get back to that.
Well, enough of the mundane history stuff for now. Haha. Let’s get down to the interesting part.
The Origins of the Zodiac Signs
ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)
Aries is known as the Ram, and also the first of the twelve zodiac constellations. Aries is ruled by the planet Mars (drive and energy). In Greek mythology, the god of war was known as Ares. Those born under this star sign is passionate and energetic.
TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)
Taurus symbolizes a Bull, and in the Babylonian zodiac it was called as “The Heavenly Bull”. In Greek mythology, Taurus is linked with Zeus. Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus (love and attraction). Those born under this sign have a strong personality, and they enjoy the finer things in life.
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)
Geminis is known as the Twins and it is taken from Greek mythology of Castor and Pollux. This sign is ruled by the planet Mercury (mind and communication). Hence the reason why Geminis are talkative. They are lively and curious.
CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)
Cancers are the fourth sign in the zodiac and it is represented by a symbol of a Crab. The Crab stems from the Greek mythology of Hercules fighting Hydra. This sign is ruled by the Moon (moods and emotions). People born under this sign tend to put the needs of others before their own.
LEO (JULY 23 - AUGUST 22)
Leos is represented by Ancient Greek mythology as the Nemean Lion. Leos is ruled by the Sun (individual and self-expression). They are expressive and impossible to ignore, they light up the room wherever they go.
VIRGO (AUGUST 23 - SEPTEMBER 22)
Virgos is the sixth sign, this sign is associated with Demeter and Ceres, they were both goddesses of nurturing and fertility. The sign symbolizes by the Virgin indicates purity and innocence. Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury (mind and communication) same as Gemini. However, Virgo is endowed with the unemotional, logical and analytical way in things.
LIBRA (SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 22)
Libra is symbolized by the scales or the balance. In Roman mythology, Libra was thought to symbolize the scales of justice held by Astraea (goddess of justice). Ruled by the planet Venus (love and attraction) like Taurus but, focuses primarily more on love.
SCORPIO (OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 21)
Like the name itself, Scorpio is symbolized by the Scorpion. They are ruled by the planet Pluto (power and transformation). In Greek mythology, a scorpion is sent by the goddess Artemis to kill the hunter, Orion. Scorpios love to uncover the truth in any situation. They are constantly building themselves to be the best version every day.
SAGITTARIUS (NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 21)
This is the ninth sign of the zodiac, Sagittarius’s symbol in Greek mythology is a Centaur, with an arrow pointing towards the star Antares. This sign is ruled by the planet Jupiter (luck, growth, and wisdom). Sagittarius is always thinking big, due to the planet Jupiter being the largest in the solar system. They are encouraged to expand their mind and heart.
CAPRICORN (DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 19)
Capricorn is one of the oldest constellations, also known as “the tail of Goat”. According to Greek mythology, Capricorn is associated with the demigod, Pan. This sign is ruled by the planet Saturn (discipline, fears, and challenges). Capricorns are serious hard workers. They believe you get out what you put in.
AQUARIUS (JANUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 18)
Aquarius is symbolized by the Water-bearer. This sign is ruled by the planet Uranus (change and personality). People born under this sign, are more eccentric. Due to their ruling planet is the only planet that spins on a horizontal axis. They like to stir things up and they have a mind of an innovator.
PISCES (FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 20)
Pisces, the final sign of the zodiac. Pisces symbolizes the Fish. This sign is ruled by the planet Neptune (dreams and healing). In Greek mythology, the fish is actually Aphrodite and her son, Eros. People born under this sign are intuitive and deeply compassionate individual.
SYMBOLS OF THE SIGNS THROUGHOUT TIME
There you have it. A little background historical knowledge on the zodiac signs. If you want to read a more thorough history, check this out. To conclude my post, Astrology may not be ‘scientifically proven’ but the fact that people keep turning to the sky does come down to something very realistic. A psychological phenomenon called “the human tendency for ‘self-selection’”. That is the search for interpretations that match what we already hope to be true.
An astronomer said that “Humans magnify the positives, they forget the negatives. That’s how we’re designed.” and I agree with that very much.
Thank you for sticking with me till the end. Hope you enjoy reading my blog as much as I enjoy writing it! ☺︎










