Zodiac

Zodiac comes from the Greek word Zodiakos Kyrklos, or "circle of little animals". The Greeks pilfered the concept from the Babylonians who had decided that the Sun passed through 12 phases or signs whose representations could be sketched out in the constellations. The Greeks finished appropriating the concept around the Sixth Century B.C. They then came up with their own explanations for how these figures ended up in the sky.

Sun Signs

AriesThe Babylonians, the Egyptians, the Greeks and the Persians all agreed on this constellation's name of the Ram.

Element: FirePlanet: MarsSymbol: The ram

Taurus

The Greeks saw Taurus as Zeus in disguise. The story went that Zeus fell in love with Europa, the daughter of Agenor who was King of Phoenica.

Element: EarthPlanet: VenusSymbol: The bull

Gemini

Castor and Pollux, the "twins" of Gemini, were Greek heroes. They were among the men Jason led on his voyages on the Argo. Element: AirPlanet: MercurySymbol: The twins

Cancer

Cancer, the Crab, plays a minor role in the Twelve Labors of Hercules. While Hercules was busy fighting the multi-headed monster, Hydra, the goddess Hera, who did not like Hercules, sent the Crab to distract him. Element: WaterPlanet: MoonSymbol: The crab

Leo

Leo is the Lion which was killed by Hercules on one of his great quests. Legend says that the lion had a hide that could not punctured by iron, bronze or stone. Since he couldn't reason with the ferocious beast, Hercules strangled it to death and the local people were very grateful. Element: FirePlanet: SunSymbol: The lion

Virgo

In Roman times, theconstellation Virgo was known as Ceres. Ceres was the goddess of harvests, particularly corn. Her festival was the second week of April, the same time that the constellation appears in the Spring skies.Element: EarthPlanet: MercurySymbol: The virgin

Libra

Libra was commonly thought of as the scales of balance but eventually became known as Hades' golden chariot. Hades used his chariot every time he wished to emerge in the upper world in search of women. The Chariot is pulled by four jet-black horses.Element: AirPlanet: VenusSymbol: The scales

Scorpio

Scorpius is an ancient constellation and is one of the original six constellations of the zodiac.

Element: WaterPlanet: PlutoSymbol: The scorpion

Sagittarius

Sagittarius's origin is unknown. Some believe that is a centaur with a bow, while others believe that it is an archer. Others claim that the constellation was invented by the SumeriansElement: FirePlanet: JupiterSymbol: The archer

Capricorn

Capricornus has been recognized as a goat since Babylonian and Chaldean times. Usually, it is depicted as a goat with a fish tail.

Element: EarthPlanet: SaturnSymbol: The goat

Aquarius

Aquarius is a rather faint constellation which would not be famous if it weren't part of the Zodiac. Aquarius, as its name suggests is universally associated with water. In most cultures, it is drawn as a man pouring water from a bucket. This may arise from the fact that the Sun enters Aquarius in early winter when the rainy season begins in many parts of the world. Element: AirPlanet: UranusSymbol: The water bearer

Pisces

Pisces was named after Aphrodite and Eros. The story of Pisces originated from the destructive monster, Typhon. Typhon was the son of Gaia and Tartarus.

Element: WaterPlanet: NeptuneSymbol: The fish