In this publication, we are going to deal with an interesting topic such as knowing what are the signs of the zodiac, their origin, in addition to discovering the story behind each symbol or animal that represents each one of these signs. Each of the constellations gives its name to one of the twelve signs, each of them has a legend behind it based on Greek mythology. These legends have a lot to do with nature and the characteristics that each sign possesses.
The word zodiac comes from the Greek and means wheel of animals. In astrology, the zodiac is based on the division into twelve equal parts of a band of the celestial sphere, known as the ecliptic.. On this band of which we speak, the sun, the moon and the planets trace their trajectory. Each of these twelve equal parts has a constellation to which it owes its name.
The zodiac has great importance in Western astrology, but for other cultures with astrological traditions as well, an example of this is the Chinese culture, which gives it great importance, although its definition of the zodiac is different from what we know. Since their appearance, the twelve signs of the zodiac are used by humans as they it was believed and continues to be believed that they influence the heavenly bodies in terms of our destiny.
History of the zodiac signs
To understand the history behind the signs of the zodiac, we must go back to the historical stage in which astronomy and astrology appeared. The astronomy is in charge of the study of the celestial bodies, while astrology tries to explain the influence that these celestial bodies have on terrestrial life.
These two concepts arise in Mesopotamia thousands of years ago, when people in charge of observing the heavens began to record the movements of the sun, moon and stars. They realized that certain stars remained static in one place, while others changed position.
These stars moved along a band located in the sky, this band was known as the Zodiac. Today, we know that those stars are not stars, but rather planets.
As time progressed, Mesopotamians began to associate both meanings and deities to the planetsbased solely on their appearance. In addition, they tried to find a link that linked what they were seeing with what was happening on Earth. All this led them to think that the universe was connected to the earth and to the events that were lived.
Where does the concept of zodiac come from?
The concept that we know today as the zodiac, it comes from the Babylonians and they used it to refer to a calendar with which they could see the passage of time. As we mentioned at the beginning of the publication, the zodiacal region is divided into twelve parts with twelve moons each year, since the lunar year was adopted.
This type of belief began to spread throughout many parts of Asia. When it arrived in Egypt, that's when it began to spread to all corners of the world. Thanks to this, the foundations of astrology as we know it today began.
En Egypt, a system known as horoscopic astrology begins to develop. A horoscope was normally calculated when a new individual was going to be born, always taking into account the alignment of the heavens.
Based on western astrology, each of the people who are born under a different sign of the zodiacThey have a different personality and future, depending on the sign. Depending on the culture, the signs change.
western zodiac; zodiacal constellation
In the following table that you will find, you will observe the zodiacal constellations and the animal or character representation of each of them.
| ZODIAC CONSTELLATION | GREEK NAME | REPRESENTATION |
| Aries | Κριóς | Carnero |
| Taurus | Ταυρος | Toro |
| Gemini | Gemini | Twins |
| Cancer | Κακρίνος | Crab |
| Leo | Leo | León |
| Virgo | Virgo | Virgin |
| Pound | Ζυγóν / Χηλαί | Balance |
| Scorpio | Scorpio | Scorpion |
| Sagittarius | Τοξóτης | Goalkeeper |
| Capricorn | Capricorn | Goat horn |
| Aquarius | Ύδροχόος | water carrier |
| Pisces | Pisces | Fish |
Signs of the zodiac; symbology and mythology
There are different exploratory theories about the signs of the zodiac. One of them is that of Isaac Newton, in which the zodiacal constellations were said to be related to the myth of Jason and the Argonauts. In which certain signs would be characters from the legend.
In this section, we will focus on the traditional interpretation that each of the zodiacal signs has according to Christian art. The images that define each sign of the zodiac are reliefs represented on the door of the royal lamb.
Aries
It is represented by the image of a lamb. For followers of Christianity, it is related to the biblical ram and the figure of Christ or the lamb of God.
If you look at the classical mythology, is the golden fleece or also called golden ram, which was sent by queen Nefele for the protection and salvation of her children. The figure of Jason, according to legend, was in charge of finding this golden ram and bringing it back to earth.
Taurus
Has his historical origin, in the winged bulls and the sacred ox Apis. This symbology extends to the ox represented in the manger at the birth of Jesus. Zeus transformed himself into a bull under the name of Taurus to kidnap Europa, the daughter of Agenor and Telephassa. Zeus fell in love with her and wanted to conquer her by carrying her on her white back.
This myth of the bull is also related to Hercules and his second mission, to capture the Cretan bull.
Gemini
The constellation Gemini represents two twins, Castor and Poux.. The father of one of them was the god Zeus, and the other a mere mortal. Both were very united by strong ties of love and brotherhood. They came to achieve great fame as warriors.
So strong was their union that, after the death of one of them, Castor, they refused to separate. This leads to god Zeus to unite them permanently in heaven forming the constellation we know today as Gemini.
Cancer
Sign whose representation is a crab and that it is related to the abandonment of the lower nature by human beings to begin a spiritual search.
Greek legends say, that this giant crab was sent by the goddess Hera against Hercules while he was fighting Lernaean hydra. But in the end, Hercules managed to crush him with great fury after being bitten on the foot.
Leo
Represented by the figure of a lion and, related to the king of beasts. The Nemean lion, who faced Hercules. To end the life of the animal, he had to face it and use his bare hands, since the lion's skin was so impenetrable that not even the arrows could with him.
After killing it, I skin and decapitate the animal, making a cape and a case for acquire the virtues and supernatural strength that this being had.
Virgo
For Christians, this constellation is represented by the figure of a virgin with a golden spike in her hand. She is the only female image of the zodiac, so she is associated with purity and perfection.
According to the mythology of the constellations, Virgo symbolizes the goddess Astrea. This goddess, she lived among men, but when they became corrupted and evil took possession of them, she had to retire to heaven, transforming into the constellation of Virgo.
Pound
Interpreted as a scale, it commemorates the goddess of justice and eternal laws, Themis.. This goddess, she represented the divided order, in addition to the laws, customs and a good relationship between men and women. She originally lived on earth, but after a while she traveled to heaven as the constellation Libra.
Scorpio
It embodies the figure of a scorpion, as its name indicates.. According to legend, he is related to Orion, a hunter who declared to Uranus that he would destroy all animals. The goddess Artemis, goddess of animals, sent a scorpion to Orion to kill him. Both the animal and Orion were raised to the heavens and placed each at one end of the constellation.
Sagittarius
Ninth sign of the zodiac staged by a centaur with a bow and arrow. This mythological animal, half man, half horse, represents duality, that is, the intellectual capacity that men had and the potential for wisdom.
Sagittarius Constellation, is related to the myth of the centaur Chiron. This being was wise, protective and also mastered surgery and the healing powers of plants. He was wounded by Hercules in battle and Zeus was the one who placed him in the heavens.
Capricorn
A goat with a fish tail is the astrological symbol for Capricorn.. He is associated with the god Pan, son of the mythological creature the goat of Amalthea. This god terrified men not only with his appearance but also with his character. In the Middle Ages, his figure would be transformed by associating him with the devil.
Aquarius
Eleventh sign of the zodiac represented by the figure of a water bearer. The zodiacal figure of Aquarius is linked to the god of storms, Ramman. In Greek mythology, it is often associated with the figure of Odysseus, king of Ithaca.
Aquarium, in this mythology, it is also linked to the legend of Ganimides. The god Zeus fell in love with him, taking him to Olympus where he granted him not only immortality, but also eternal beauty. As a final reward for cooperating with the gods, he ascended it into heaven by making it the constellation Aquarius.
Pisces
Last sign of the zodiac whose symbol is two fish swimming in opposite directions. In Greek myths, this sign is linked to Poseidon, who ruled over the sea. The trident under his power symbolized his dominion over the ocean.
What zodiac sign am I?
In this last section, for those interested in knowing what zodiac sign corresponds to you according to your date of birthNext, we leave you a list clarifying your doubts.
- Aries: born between March 21 and April 19
- Taurus: born between April 20 and May 20
- Gemini: born between May 21 and June 20
- Cancer: born between June 21 and July 22
- Leo: born between July 23 and August 22
- Virgo: born between August 23 and September 22
- Pound: born between September 23 and October 22
- Scorpio: born between October 23 and November 21
- Sagittarius: born between November 22 and December 21
- Capricorn: born between December 22 and January 19
- Aquarius: born between January 20 and February 18
- Pisces: born between February 19 and March 20
The twelve signs of the zodiac are the ones that we have been seeing throughout this publication, each one of them is assigned unique characteristics. Therefore, according to the beliefs and customs of each culture, these characteristics are passed on to people born under that sign.