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What Is a Zodiac Sign?

A zodiac sign is one of twelve equal divisions of the ecliptic, that is, the apparent path of the Sun across the sky over the course of a year. Each sign is tied to a constellation and has a conventional date range, for example Pisces (19/2 - 20/3) or Capricorn (22/12 - 19/1). In Western astrology, each sign belongs to one of four elements (Fire, Earth, Air, Water) and one of three modalities (Cardinal, Fixed, Mutable), and also has its own ruling planet.

Where do zodiac signs come from and how are they used?

The concept of the zodiac sign originates from ancient astronomical observation, when people long ago divided the circle of the ecliptic into twelve parts to track the positions of the Sun, the Moon and the planets. In modern astrology, zodiac signs are commonly used to interpret a personal birth chart, based on the positions of celestial bodies at the moment of birth. Articles on the site often refer to zodiac signs when analysing personality, love and career, or when choosing auspicious stones that suit one's destiny.

How do you distinguish a zodiac sign from concepts that are easily confused with it?

A zodiac sign is different from the Rising sign and the Moon sign. The Sun sign (commonly called the zodiac sign based on date of birth) represents the core nature, while the Rising sign is the sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth, which determines first impressions. The Moon sign reflects emotional life and inner needs. A person may have a Pisces Sun sign but a Capricorn Rising sign, creating a difference between outward appearance and inner nature.

What to keep in mind when learning about what a zodiac sign is

Astrology in general and zodiac signs in particular are traditional knowledge of a referential nature, and have not been verified by science. Readers should treat this as a symbolic system for self-reflection, and should not use it as a basis for deciding important matters in life.

How do the different schools of thought understand this?

• Tropical Western astrology: Uses zodiac signs fixed to the seasons, without adjusting for the shift of the constellations caused by the precession of the Earth's axis. This is the most widespread system today.
• Astronomical Western astrology: Adjusts the zodiac signs according to the actual positions of the constellations in the sky, resulting in a shift of about one sign compared with the tropical system.
• Indian (Vedic) astrology: Uses a similar zodiac system but calculates according to nakshatra (27 constellations) and has its own method of calculation, which affects how a person's zodiac sign is determined.

What related articles cover zodiac signs?

• What are auspicious stones? How to choose stones that suit your destiny and age
• What is Western astrology? Birth charts and the main elements
• Air - Water element compatibility in astrology
• Pisces and Neptune: The link of the ruling planet in astrology
• Fire and Air element compatibility in astrology: The power of diffusion
• Pisces Sign: Personality, Love and Career
• Earth - Water element compatibility in astrology: The combination of foundation and emotion
• Fire - Earth element compatibility in astrology: The attraction of two extremes
• What Is the Rising Sign? Distinguishing It from the Sun Sign and the Moon Sign
• Capricorn Sign: Personality, Love and Career
• Leo Sign: Personality, Love and Career
• The Earth element in astrology: general personality traits

What does the table of the 12 zodiac signs mean?

The date ranges follow the SOLAR calendar and may shift by one day depending on the year, because the vernal equinox does not fall on a fixed day. People born close to the boundary between two signs should check according to their time of birth.

The figures in the table match the results of the lookup tools on Nhật Nguyệt.