8/12/22, 9:10 AM zodiac -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

zodiac
zodiac, in astronomy and astrology, a belt around the
heavens extending 9° on either side of the ecliptic, the
plane of Earth’s orbit and of the Sun’s apparent annual
path. The orbits of the Moon and of the principal planets
also lie entirely within the zodiac. The 12 astrological
zodiacEncyclopædia Britannica, signs of the zodiac are each considered to occupy 1/
Inc./Patrick O'Neill Riley 12
(or 30°) of its great circle. These signs no longer
correspond to the astronomical constellations in which the Sun actually appears. The
constellations are irregular in size and shape, and the Sun regularly passes through one
constellation (Ophiuchus) that is not considered a member of the zodiac.

Because most of the constellations through which the ecliptic passes represent animals, the
ancient Greeks called its zone zōdiakos kyklos, “circle of animals,” or ta zōdia, “the little
animals.” The size and number of zodiacal constellations varied in antiquity and became fixed
only with the development of mathematical astronomy. The list below gives the constellations
of the zodiac, with the dates of the Sun’s passage through them in the era when their
boundaries were fixed. These dates are still used for the astrological signs, though precession
of the equinoxes has shifted the constellations eastward; e.g., on January 1 the direction of the
sun is now in Sagittarius instead of Capricornus. The history of the symbols is unknown; they
seem to appear first in Greek manuscripts of the late Middle Ages.

♈ Aries (Ram): March 21–April 19

♉ Taurus (Bull): April 20–May 20

♊ Gemini (Twins): May 21–June 21

♋ Cancer (Crab): June 22–July 22

♌ Leo (Lion): July 23–August 22

♍ Virgo (Virgin): August 23–September 22

♎ Libra (Balance): September 23–October 23

♏ Scorpius (Scorpion): October 24–November 21

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8/12/22, 9:10 AM zodiac -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

♐ Sagittarius (Archer): November 22–December 21

♑ Capricornus (Goat): December 22–January 19

♒ Aquarius (Water Bearer): January 20–February 18

♓ Pisces (Fish): February 19–March 20

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.

Citation Information
Article Title:
zodiac
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
28 June 2022
URL:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/zodiac
Access Date:
August 11, 2022

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