The 12 Zodiac Signs: Dates, Order, and Traits

Aries: March 21 to April 19

Taurus: April 20 to May 20

Gemini: May 21 to June 21

Cancer: June 22 to July 22

Leo: July 23 to August 22

Virgo: August 23 to September 22

Libra: September 23 to October 23

Scorpio: October 24 to November 22

Sagittarius: November 23 to December 21

Capricorn: December 22 to January 19

Aquarius: January 20 to February 18

Pisces: February 19 to March 20

Sign dates depend on the moment the Sun enters each part of the zodiac, which changes slightly every year. That is why charts can differ by a day.

If your birthday falls near a boundary, check your birth year, time, and place. Other dates are not affected.

Fire signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are often described as energetic and expressive.

Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn are often described as practical and steady.

Air signs: Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius are often described as social and idea-driven.

Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces are often described as sensitive and emotionally attuned.

These Western elements are a different system from the Chinese Five Elements, so the two should not be matched directly.

Cardinal signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn start each season and tend to initiate.

Fixed signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius sit mid-season and tend to persist.

Mutable signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces end each season and tend to adapt.

Aries is ruled by Mars, Taurus by Venus, Gemini by Mercury, Cancer by the Moon, Leo by the Sun, and Virgo by Mercury.

Libra is ruled by Venus, Scorpio by Pluto (traditionally Mars), Sagittarius by Jupiter, Capricorn by Saturn, Aquarius by Uranus (traditionally Saturn), and Pisces by Neptune (traditionally Jupiter).

When people say their sign, they usually mean their Sun sign, which only needs a birthday. Moon and rising signs also need your birth time and place.

Western signs follow the Sun's position through the year. Chinese zodiac animals follow your birth year. The two systems are unrelated.

Sign traits are broad descriptions that work well for self-reflection and conversation. They should not decide relationships or career moves. For a more personal reading, try a Ba Zi or Zi Wei chart.