Astrology Signs

From LoveToKnow Horoscopes

Are you interested in learning about astrology signs? Not exactly sure where astrology signs come from or what they really mean? Keep reading to learn more about the roots and history of popular astrology signs!

Learn about astrology.

Types of Astrology

Astrology signs are universal across the globe. While many people are only aware of the traditional 12 signs of the western zodiac, there are also astrology systems in other countries and regions. A few of them include:

Chinese Astrology
Islamic Astrology
Egyptian Astrology
Babylonian Astrology

Chinese Astrology

Chinese astrology is based closely around five planets and their relationships to elements:

Venus, which is related to metal
Jupiter, which is related to wood
Mercury, which is related to water
Mars, which is related to fire
Saturn, which is related to Earth

The Chinese Zodiac is also an important part of Chinese Astrology. The twelve signs are all represented by animals and correlate to the year any given person is born in. The signs are:

Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse,
Sheep
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig

Islamic Astrology

Islamic astrology is related to astronomy. While there is a distinct difference between the science of the stars and the science of the celestial bodies, the two are intertwined and related. Both seek to understand humans and their individual paths by their relationship to the skies. While there are no official signs or phases distinct to Islamic astrology, it was one of the first to look at studying the skies as a true science.

Egyptian Astrology

The Egyptian astrology system is based off a system of different signs:

The Nile
Amon-Ra
Mout
Osiris
Geb
Isis
Thoth
Horus
Anubis
Set
Bastet
Sakhmet

Unlike other systems of astrology, the astrology signs in Egyptian astrology do not run continuously. For example, the sign of Set runs from May 28 to June 18 and then from September 28 to October 2.

Babylonian Astrology

As the first system of astrology, the Babylonian astrology signs differ from most other systems. The system is based around the five planets of which the Babylonians were aware. These planets are:

Jupiter
Venus
Saturn
Mercury
Mars

Each of these planets was aligned with one of the Babylonian gods.

Roots of Astrology Signs

The history of astrology signs begins in the Middle East. The Babylonians were the first to create astrology. Astrologers of the time began to mark certain reactions of people (such as war) to the positions of the planets at the time of the event. As each planet related to a certain God, the Babylonian's believed that each event was the will of that God.

In Western astrology, the 12 signs of the Zodiac are associated with astrological constellations. In fact, this is where the signs themselves get their names. These 12 constellations are:

In this way, the signs themselves are correlated with astronomical bodies. It is common with astrology for one to say something along the lines of 'Mars in Cancer.' This phrase means that the planet Mars appears to be in the pattern of the Cancer correlation. This portion of astrology is where astrological charts and birth wheels come from. At any given moment in time, the planets fall within a certain constellation. Astrology believes that the position of these planets indicates both certain things about a person and about their life situation. Horoscopes are formulated by first analyzing which traits a person has because of the position of the planets when that person was born, and secondly, where the planets will be in the near future.

Common Astrology Traits

Each astrology sign in Western astrology is associated with certain traits. A few common traits are:

Aries: This sign is often thought to be individualistic, stubborn, intellectual and full of fire.
Taurus: The bull of the zodiac, Taurus is thought to be devoted, sensual, respectful, solid-minded and methodical.
Gemini: The twins of the zodiac are often thought to be logical, impulsive, social and curious.
Cancer: The sign of Cancer is often considered one of the most 'feeling' zodiac signs. Very protective and family-minded, the sign can sometimes be emotional and crabby.
Leo: The zodiac's lion can be proud and boisterous. Leo can also be dramatic and fussy.
Virgo: Virgos are thought to stay in their heads and analyze the world. They are practical and focused.
Libra: Thought to be the zodiac's socializer, Libra is refined, lazy, charming and graceful.
Scorpio: The Scorpion sign is sexual and creative. Scorpios can be both emotional and magnetic.
Sagittarius: The archer is thought to be fun loving and joyous. Although one of the most intelligent signs of the zodiac, a Sag can also be careless.
Capricorn: Methodical and deliberate are words that come to mind with a Capricorn. Caps are both driven and sometimes too serious.
Aquarius: The water sign is unconventional, quiet and cautious.
Pisces: The fish can be sensitive, open and artistic. Pisces can also be forgetful and lazy.