What Is the Zodiac Symbol?

A zodiac symbol is the figure or sign that represents each one of the 12 signs in the sky. The horns for Aries, the scales for Libra and two fish tied to each other for Pisces are examples of these symbols.

These symbols have been used for thousands of years in calendars, on coins, in architecture and in jewelry. A zodiac symbol expresses the period in which a person was born in a short and visual language.

What Does Zodiac Mean?

The zodiac is the narrow belt on either side of the path the Sun follows across the sky during a year. This belt is divided into 12 equal sections of 30 degrees each, and every section corresponds to one sign.

The word comes from the Greek expression "zōidiakos kyklos". This expression means "circle of little animals". Most of the signs being represented by animal figures is the source of this naming.

This yearly path of the Sun across the sky is called the ecliptic. The Moon and the planets also move close to this line. Astronomically, the zodiac is the band of about 16 degrees extending on either side of this line.

The History and Origin of the Zodiac Belt

The origin of the zodiac belt goes back to the Babylonian astronomers who lived in Mesopotamia in the 1st millennium BC. The Babylonians are among the first communities to observe the sky regularly and keep records of it.

On Babylonian clay tablets, the constellations lying along the ecliptic are listed. Around the 5th century BC this belt was divided into 12 equal sections. This arrangement forms the basis for the signs being defined as slices of equal length.

The system was later carried over into the Greek world and largely took its present names there. The works written by the Alexandrian astronomer Ptolemy in the 2nd century played a decisive role in the transmission of zodiac knowledge over the centuries.

The zodiac relief on the ceiling of the Dendera Temple in Egypt is among the best known ancient depictions of these symbols. In the medieval Islamic world, sign figures were used in astronomy books, on astrolabes and on coins. On some coins from the Anatolian Seljuk period, the lion and the sun figure are seen together.

The Zodiac Symbols of the 12 Signs and Their Meanings

The zodiac symbols of the 12 signs consist of animal, human and object figures. Each symbol is associated with the character traits traditionally attributed to that sign.

The symbols are mostly based on mythological stories. The goat-headed fish figure of Capricorn is of Babylonian origin and represents both land and water. The ear of wheat in the Virgo symbol is connected with the harvest season.

The symbol of each sign has also turned over time into a simplified sign. These signs offer a short and legible motif in jewelry design.

Which Elements Are the Zodiac Signs Divided Into?

The zodiac signs are divided into four elements: fire, earth, air and water. There are three signs in each element, and these groups are referred to in tradition with shared qualities.

• Fire: Consists of the signs Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Enthusiasm, courage and movement are traditionally attributed to it.

• Earth: Covers the signs Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. Determination, practicality and solidity are associated with this group.

• Air: Consists of the signs Gemini, Libra and Aquarius. Thought, communication and sociability are the core themes of this element.

• Water: Covers the signs Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Emotion, intuition and empathy are the meanings attributed to this group.

The element system draws on the doctrine of four elements in ancient Greece. The signs are also divided into three qualities as cardinal, fixed and mutable. The combination of element and quality gives each sign a place of its own.

What Is the Difference Between the Zodiac and a Sign?

The zodiac is the belt of sky containing all 12 signs; a sign is a single 30 degree slice of this belt. In short, the zodiac expresses the whole and a sign expresses a part of that whole.

In everyday language the two words are frequently used in place of one another. The expression "zodiac signs" is common for this reason. Technically, however, the zodiac is the name of a system and a sign is the name of a position within that system.

Another distinction is between a sign and a constellation. Signs are slices of equal length, while constellations take up different amounts of space in the sky. Because of the slow wobble of the Earth's axis, the dates of the signs and the positions of the constellations do not overlap exactly today.

What Should Be Considered When Choosing Zodiac Jewelry?

When choosing zodiac jewelry, the design language of the symbol is evaluated first, then the material and the way the piece will be worn. The right choice determines both the meaning of the piece and the comfort of daily wear.

The design of the symbol appears in different forms. In some models the figure of the sign is worked, and in others only its simplified sign is used. Constellation designs, for their part, reflect the star arrangement of the sign with small stones.

The material information should always be checked in the product description. 14K gold models are more durable for daily wear. In models plated in gold color over 925 sterling silver, contact with perfume, sea water and pool water wears the plating.

The way the piece is worn also affects the choice. For a necklace to be worn on its own, a pronounced medallion pendant is suitable. In layered combinations, small charms sit more in balance. The Star Charm, with its blue enamel and cubic zirconia details, is an example of a charm that accompanies a sign symbol with a sky theme.

Who Is Zodiac Jewelry Given to and on Which Occasions?

Zodiac jewelry is most preferred on birthdays, as a personal gift tied to a date of birth. Carrying the sign of the person receiving it sets the piece apart from an ordinary accessory.

A necklace carrying the sign of a newborn baby can be given as a gift to the baby's mother. This choice turns the moment of birth into a lasting keepsake. Between couples, pieces in which two different sign symbols are used together are preferred.

Turning points such as a graduation, an anniversary and a new job are suitable moments for zodiac jewelry as well. In groups of friends, pieces in which everyone carries their own sign turn into the symbol of a shared bond. Models combined with a personalized letter or name strengthen the meaning of the gift.

Zodiac symbols are a plain language of thousands of years of sky observation that has reached the present day. When they are worked into a piece of jewelry, these ancient signs turn into a small signature carrying the moment a person was born and their own story.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Zodiac (FAQ)

How many signs are there in the zodiac?

There are 12 signs in the zodiac. These signs are Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces. Each sign covers an equal 30 degree slice of the zodiac belt and corresponds to a period of about one month of the year.

Which is the first sign of the zodiac?

The first sign of the zodiac is Aries. Aries begins around 21 March, when the Sun passes the point of the spring equinox. Since ancient astronomers started the new year with spring, the order of the zodiac opens with this sign and is completed with Pisces.

Should the rising sign be taken into account when choosing zodiac jewelry?

When choosing zodiac jewelry, the rising sign can be taken into account depending on personal preference. Traditionally the most common choice is the sun sign, determined by the date of birth. Those who care about their rising sign can carry the two symbols together in layered necklaces or in separate charms.

Can a zodiac necklace be worn layered with other necklaces?

A zodiac necklace can comfortably be worn layered with other necklaces. In layered combinations, leaving a difference of 3 to 5 cm between the chains prevents the pendants from getting mixed up. The zodiac pendant is generally placed on the longest chain, while thin and plain chains are preferred in the upper layers.

Do the zodiac signs fall on the same dates every year?

The zodiac signs fall on approximately the same dates every year, but the transition days can shift by a day. The reason for this is that the calendar year and the movement of the Sun across the sky do not overlap exactly. For those born on the transition days of a sign, the time of birth can be decisive.