| |
Before we can understand what zodiac symbols are, we have to know what the zodiac is.
The "zodiac" is an imaginary band of the sky that extends about 8° each way on the elliptic, or, on the sun's path through Earth's sky over the course of a year. Each sign takes up about 30° of latitude in the sky and correlates to a constellation. The sun, moon, constellations and other planets are all visible in the zodiac. However, most of the time when people think of a zodiac, they think of either the constellations or their symbols.
The history of the zodiac dates back to Babylonian times. For thousands of years, astrology was the close sister to astronomy. But as the scientific method became the dominant standard for testing statements and establishing facts, the two fields separated and astrology was viewed as a pseudoscience. Nevertheless, astrology symbols remain of interest and in use in many Western cultures and still captures our fascination today.
The zodiac is divided into 12 signs. The zodiac sign symbols each cover roughly the equivalent of a month's time. But unlike our calendar months, time for zodiac signs is calculated differently. This is because Western astrologists calculate the first sign based off the Northern hemisphere's vernal equinox (spring), which happens around March 21st every year. From there, the zodiac signs dates were set based off the dates of the sun's passage through the respective constellations during Ancient Greek times. |
.jpg)
 copy.jpg)
