Decoding the Symbolism and Meanings of Zodiac Signs

A little guidance is always helpful, especially if you’re trying to understand yourself better. People turn to zodiac signs to delve into their personalities, but what do they actually represent? Check out the zodiac sign meanings below to learn more about compatibilities and the mystical nature of various birth chart alignments.

What Are Zodiac Signs?

Zodiac signs represent the twelve sectors around the Earth. Picture the world as the center of a pizza. There are twelve slices in that pizza and each has a zodiac sign. As the Earth orbits the sun, it passes through each sector. The planet is in one sector during a person’s birth, aligning them with their zodiac sign.

Zodiac Sign Meanings

Each zodiac sign has a different meaning because each has a different dominant constellation. It gives each person a cosmic identity. Check your birth date against this list to discover the meanings of zodiac signs.

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

The zodiac year begins with the spring equinox because it’s when the earth gets equal amounts of light and dark before the days get longer. As such, the zodiac signs begin with Aries. 

Aries is a fire sign. People born during this time love conquering challenges, so they’re more competitive than most. They’re also more physically active, honest and optimistic.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

Individuals with a Taurus sign are grounded. They have earth natures resulting in devoted, stable and responsible personalities. Their sign is also the bull, so they can be uncompromising and intensely into hands-on activities.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Curious Geminis love learning about people and the world around them. They have affectionate hearts, which makes them collaborative partners more in tune with the latest books and songs.

If you’re a Gemini, you might also love spontaneous experiences. You’re the first to volunteer for celestial rituals and try things resulting in adrenaline rushes.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

Crabs are the Cancer symbol. The zodiac sign makes people capable of existing in material and emotional spaces, which can also feel draining. You’re more intuitive than others if your birthday falls between these dates, so you may have a harder outer shell to protect yourself in relationships.

Once people get through your shell, Cancers are the most loyal people on the astrological charts. The artful, moody spirits make some of the most lively friends in social groups.

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

People born under the Leo sign are the most lively and theatrical individuals. Often referred to as spitfires, Leos have a lion sign because they know how to lead a room. Deeply generous hearts get balanced by an occasional tendency to be lazy. However, they bring different groups of people together with their personable natures and loyalty.

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

If you’re more into science and math, you might be a Virgo. They’re practical, straightforward people who love learning logical operations and reasonings for the world around them. Like their earth sign, they are dependable in their rooted personalities. Virgos always take on challenges, snacking on healthy food and enjoying nature walks.

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

When a Libra walks into a room, they can make friends with people in any social group. They have a balanced, kind energy that people love. The air sign fits their peaceful personalities, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have a spine. Their diplomatic minds often get into positions of power to broker peace, make change and speak for those without a voice.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

Sometimes, people think Scorpios are mysterious and rude, but they’re a sensitive sign. They wield emotional energy with each breath, which can leave them drained. Of all the zodiac sign meanings, this is the most misunderstood.

If you’re a Scorpio, you’re more passionate, brave and resourceful than most people. You may also experience emotional burnout symptoms like low energy, beliefs of worthlessness or limited social abilities at times. Resting and recharging are essential parts of a Scorpio’s life so they can experience life as deeply as they do.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

You might call a Sagittarius restless if you don’t know much about the zodiac sign’s meaning. The fire sign is always on the move, whether it’s for knowledge or experiences in travel. They merge knowledge with emotion and human connection. It makes them generous and fans of tight-knit relationships.

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

Capricorns are the last earth sign in the zodiac year. They have the sea goat as their symbol for their responsible and unflinching natures. They manage their schedules like they have literal internal clocks, making them leaders in personal and professional realms. A Capricorn would also see mistakes as learning opportunities to improve their resourcefulness.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

You might think an Aquarius has a water sign, but they’re actually air signs. They think and feel deeply, so they’re typically progressive individuals with humanitarian passions. An Aquarius enjoys deep, personal relationships and needs mental stimulation most of the time. Sometimes, their feelings make them uncompromising, but they still hear out everyone in the room.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

The most intuitive sign is the Pisces. They are incredibly sensitive, absorbing the positive and negative energies in their environment. Their sensitive natures make them slightly fearful at times, but they enjoy a cycle of learning and growing, represented by the water sign’s two fish.

How to Find Your Zodiac Sign

Once you know the zodiac sign meanings, start your journey with your birth date. You only need to know your birth date, month and year before finding your sign’s date range from a list like this one. Explore what various resources say about the benefits and challenges facing each sign. You may find it matches your personality more than you ever thought.

How to Use Your Zodiac Sign

People use their zodiac signs for guidance. It may point out why they’re more sensitive than others or naturally attracted to leadership positions. It’s easier to accept parts of yourself when they have precise definitions. You can even take your zodiac reading to therapy sessions as launching points for deeper discussions about your inner nature.

Get to Know Yourself Better

Once you know the meanings of zodiac signs, you can better understand yourself and the world around you. Take everything lightly and reflect once you read about your sign. It could be highly accurate information that boosts your self-growth or challenges you to identify parts of yourself you haven’t named before.