Each Zodiac Sign has a symbol that describes it and its traits. Learn the symbols for all twelve Zodiac Signs and what these symbols say about them.
Each Zodiac Sign is unique. Countless guides detailing personality traits are out there, but one guide has been with us for as long as we can remember. That is the individual Zodiac Symbols. Join SpiritualBlossom to explore these beautiful symbols. Find out what they are and why we have them. Then, do an in depth exploration of all twelve symbols and what they say about the Zodiac Signs. Astrology can be mysterious, but thanks to symbolism, it’s a lot easier to understand. Read on to unlock that understanding.
Zodiac Symbols and Why?
Zodiac Symbols are images that express what the Zodiac Signs are. Whoever chose them was very clever. They had a deep understanding of the character of each Zodiac Sign, and their symbols have been used ever since. Sign’s symbols express a lot about them. They express personality characteristics, inner feelings, and basically, what to expect. These symbols extol the Sign’s character, virtues, and vices. They are more of a teaching tool, to explain how the Zodiac Signs are. Symbols just create images we use to understand things better. Your Sun Sign isn’t the only Zodiac Sign you have. You have a Venus Sign too and you can read about it here: What Do Venus Signs Say About Love?
The Zodiac Symbols
All of the Zodiac Signs have their own special symbols. From the Ram of Aries to the Fish of Pisces, each Zodiac Sign’s symbols says a lot about who they are, how they think, and what to expect. Read on to unlock the secrets of the Zodiac Sign’s symbols.
Aries- The Ram
Aries was named after the constellation Aries. In ancient Egyptian astronomy, the God Amon-Ra was associated with Aries and he was depicted as a human with a ram’s head. Interestingly, he represented fertility, which is something that every Aries is interested in, at least when it comes to sex. Some people say the ram is the perfect image for Aries, because they're so stubborn they butt their heads over things. However, the ram also symbolizes strength, which Aries embodies, and the ram is intimately linked with the God Ares, which the Zodiac sign is named after.
The story of Aries starts with a king named Athamas who had two children with a nymph named Nephele. The king married a woman named Ino. The children's mother was upset she left, and a drought resulted in her departure. The stepmother swore that the children needed to be sacrificed to save the town's crops from the drought. However, the children's mother sent a golden fleeced ram to whisk the children away to safety. The golden fleece of the ram was later hung on an oak tree after it was sacrificed to the God Zeus and the tree belonged to the god Ares. Read more about Aries here: Aries Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
Taurus- The Bull
The symbol for Taurus is the bull. When it comes to personality traits, bulls are slow, deliberate, and prefer to keep the peace. When instigated, they will charge with terrifying power, just like a Taurus. This constellation may have been identified as early as the Upper Paleolithic, as evidenced on a cave painting at the Hall of Bulls. It was dated to about 15,000 BCE at Lascaux. This constellation marked the Spring equinox in the early Bronze Age. In the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, the goddess Ishtar sent the bull of Heaven named Gugalanna to kill Gigamesh for refusing her romantic advances. The bull was torn apart by Gilgamesh's friend, Enkidu, and thrown into the sky where it became the constellation.
Gemini- The Twins
Anyone who knows a Gemini knows that there are two sides to them. There are different sides of the Gemini personality because they are so adaptable. They are also able to see multiple viewpoints of things and they are able to communicate effectively with people on all sides of conversations. That's what makes them such great mediators in disputes and people who know how to create harmony. Read more about Gemini here: Gemini Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
In myths, the twins of Gemini represent Castor and Pollux. They were half brothers in both Roman and Greek mythology. Their mother was Leda and they had two different fathers. Pollux was the son of the god Zeus and Castor was the son of the king of Sparta, Tyndareus. The twins were the patrons of sailors and appeared as something called St. Elmo's Fire. One day, Pollux pleaded with his father to allow him to share immortality with his twin brother, and Zeus took pity upon them and transformed them into the constellation Gemini so that they could.
Cancer- The Crab
Anyone who knows a Cancer knows that they can be crabby. They are also emotional creatures, and a Water Sign, so a critter that lives in water is a highly appropriate symbol. Crabs also have an immortal element to themselves. If one of their arms is torn off, it can grow back. Cancers seem to be surviving one emotional catastrophe after another, somehow surviving with a broken heart and rejuvenating themselves, choosing to love regardless of whatever happened to hurt them.
Myth tells an interesting story. Again, we start with Zeus and Hera. Zeus had a child named Heracles with a human being whose name was Alcmene. Years later, Heracles married the lovely Princess Megara, and had a beautiful family with her. The goddess Hera remembered the affair and made Heracles go mad and kill his children and wife. He was ordered to perform ten laborers as penance. At one point he tried to cut the head off the monster Hydra and the goddess Hera sent a giant crab named Carcinus to attack and deter him. He defeated both the Hydra and the Crab, and thanks to its efforts, the goddess Hera placed the Crab in the sky as the constellation Cancer.
Leo-The Lion
If you ever meet a Leo, they will remind you of a king or a queen, so it is appropriate that the lion, the king of beasts, should be their symbol. Leos don't necessarily seek to rule, but they end up leading the pack. They have the pride and confidence of royalty, and the positive outlook of someone who knows who they are. Leo was a very early recognized constellation and the Persians., Syrians, Turks, Indians, and Jews all recognize the constellation. Even the Sumerians and Babylonians recognize the constellation.
In the mythology of Greece, Heracles makes another appearance and kills the Nemean Lion, which is represented by Leo. It was a terrible beast that would take women hostage, and tantalize warriors to rescue the women, but it would kill them. No weapon seemed to be able to slay the lion, Some Heracles defeated the lion with his bare hands. Although the lion was seen as a villain, the God Zeus put it in the sky as a constellation, perhaps celebrating its beauty, magnificence, and power. Read more about Leo here: Leo Traits and Love Compatibility
Virgo- The Virgin
Talk to a Virgo for five minutes, and they will convince you that they believe that they are pure, innocent, and blameless. Classically, that is the view that ignorant people had of virgins. Today's people know that virginity does not make you pure. Furthermore, everybody knows that Virgos aren't as perfect as they think they are. Secretly, Virgos know it too. To be fair though, they really do try their very best at all things they do. Perhaps with such a pure intention, they really are that pure.
The myth of Virgo begins with the goddess Astraea. She was the last divinity to leave Earth when all of the other gods of Greece had moved to Mount Olympus. She was a virgin goddess of justice and is associated very closely with the Earth, which is the element for Virgo. During the golden age of Earth, humans were not evil at all, and we're filled with virtue. Unfortunately, the story says we became more corrupt and cruel, and the gods couldn't stand it anymore. Even this pure hearted goddess couldn't, and she ascended to the sky to become the constellation Virgo.
Libra- The Scales
The scales of justice represent Libra. Libras are always seeking justice in whatever they do, and a lot of them will either be in some type of a service position where they feel they're making the world a better place, or they will work in law. They are constantly seeking balance in their lives. They need to stay peaceful, harmonious, and have a good balance of rest and work. Their personalities, lifestyles, and needs are perfectly represented with the scales tipping back and forth while they seek to balance everything perfectly.
In Babylon, they were linked to the sun god Shamash, who was a God of justice and truth. Libra was also associated with Astraea, the same pure hearted goddess associated with Virgo, and she was a justice goddess. It's possible that these scales were added to the Zodiac Sign because Libra is part of the Autumnal Equinox, when night and day are equal. Read more about Libra here: What is the Best Libra Flower?
Scorpio- The Scorpion
If you have a Scorpio in your life, you know that they closely resemble the Scorpion. Beautiful, mysterious, and minding their own business until provoked. Some Astrologers point out that emotional Scorpios have their stinger poised in such a way that they are just as likely to sting themselves as those who they feel they are protecting themselves from. In other words, don't put it past a Scorpio to seek revenge, but don't be surprised if they hurt themselves instead of the person who they seek to get revenge on.
Never underestimate a Scorpio though, especially considering Scorpius who they are named after. The story goes that the hunter Orion bragged that he could kill any animal on planet Earth. Earth goddess Gaia did not appreciate this, so she sicced the giant scorpion, Scorpius on him to humble him. The scorpion won. It struck a fatal blow, but the gods were so impressed by Orion. and Scorpius’ battle, they put them both in the sky as constellations opposite each other where they were always chasing each other, but never meeting up.
Sagittarius- The Archer
If you know Sagittarians, you understand why the Archer suits them. Think of what an Archer does. They take aim and shoot towards their goals. Sagittarians have a strong need to live life on their own terms, do what they want without being ruled over, and make all their dreams come true. They are not afraid to take chances, relentlessly pursue that which they dream of, and quite often make off with the prize.
The symbol goes back to Babylon., and the god Nergal, a Centaur-like divinity, who is firing an arrow. The Greeks had a similar view with Sagittarius being a Centaur. Some identify the Centaur as Chiron, who turned into a horse to escape his jealous wife. Chiron was said to be poisoned by an arrow that Hercules shot and he was placed in the heavens as a constellation. Read more about Sagittarius here: Sagittarius Traits and Love Compatibility
Capricorn- the Sea Goat
Perhaps the most confusing Zodiac symbol is Capricorn. Capricorn was named after Capricornus, A horned goat or a sea goat, which is a creature that has never existed. Since Bronze Age times at least, people have associated goat fish creatures with divinities like the God Ea. The Greeks associated this with the goat Amalthea, who nourished the infant Zeus. Capricornus has been identified with the god Pan who saved himself from the water monster Typhoon by transforming his lower half into a fish's tail and swimming to safety in a river.
Anyone who knows a Capricorn knows these things characterize them. They are a fusion of someone who seems to be all businesslike, focused on work, but someone who is deeply emotionally needy but doesn't want to admit it. Perhaps it's the stress levels that they deal with that make them this way, but the tender side of Capricorn comes through to the people who they love most.
Aquarius- The Water Bearer
Aquarius is an interesting Zodiac symbol, because it represents overflowing water which is a source of life. In Babylonian astronomy, Aquarius was associated with destructive floods, but these floods also nourished the ground so the crops could grow. In ancient Egypt they associated Aquarius with the flooding of the Nile, which begins the spring. Capable, inventive Aquarius seems to create life wherever they go. They seem to overflow with creativity, ideas, and energy. They truly bring lifegiving tings like the waters do. Read more about Aquarius here: Aquarius Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
Pisces- The Fish
Pisces is associated with fish swimming in opposite directions. If you know a Pisces, you know that they are this way sometimes. One minute they will be surrounded with people, all of whom they love and care for and want to help. The next, they are emotionally overwhelmed and take a deep dive, escaping into the depths of their emotions and completely pulling away from everyone. Just give them their space, because they will reemerge refreshed.
Greek myth speaks about the monster Typhoon who was sent to attack the gods. Aphrodite and Eros turned into fish to escape. In another myth, fish carried Aphrodite and her son away from danger. Another myth says an egg fell into the Euphrates River, which a fish pushed ashore. Doves hatched the egg and the goddess Aphrodite emerged. In gratitude, Aphrodite put the fish in the sky as a constellation.
Symbols don't make the Signs who they are, but they do characterize the Signs and explain them a little bit. Since ancient times, we have relied on myths, stories of heroes and gods, to explain who we are. Keep reading all of our Astrology articles and keep learning.
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About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Mysticsense and SpiritualBlossom, and she writes for PaganPages.Org emag and Green Egg Magazine.
