Zodiac sign dates
Your zodiac sign – also called your star sign or sun sign – is the part of the sky the Sun was in on the day you were born. Western astrology splits the year into twelve signs:
| Sign | Dates | Element | Ruling planet |
|---|---|---|---|
| ♈︎ Aries | March 21 – April 19 | Fire | Mars |
| ♉︎ Taurus | April 20 – May 20 | Earth | Venus |
| ♊︎ Gemini | May 21 – June 20 | Air | Mercury |
| ♋︎ Cancer | June 21 – July 22 | Water | Moon |
| ♌︎ Leo | July 23 – August 22 | Fire | Sun |
| ♍︎ Virgo | August 23 – September 22 | Earth | Mercury |
| ♎︎ Libra | September 23 – October 22 | Air | Venus |
| ♏︎ Scorpio | October 23 – November 21 | Water | Pluto (Mars) |
| ♐︎ Sagittarius | November 22 – December 21 | Fire | Jupiter |
| ♑︎ Capricorn | December 22 – January 19 | Earth | Saturn |
| ♒︎ Aquarius | January 20 – February 18 | Air | Uranus (Saturn) |
| ♓︎ Pisces | February 19 – March 20 | Water | Neptune (Jupiter) |
Planets in brackets are the traditional rulers, used before Uranus, Neptune and Pluto were discovered.
Born on a cusp?
The Sun moves into the next sign on a slightly different day each year – usually between the 19th and the 23rd of the month – and at a different time of day. The dates above are the ones most horoscopes use. If your birthday is on the first or last day of a sign, the calculator tells you, because you may belong to the neighbouring sign; a birth chart with your exact time and place of birth settles it.
Elements and qualities
- Fire (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius): energetic and bold. Earth (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): practical and steady.
- Air (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): curious and sociable. Water (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): emotional and intuitive.
- Cardinal signs start each season, fixed signs sit in the middle of it, and mutable signs end it.
All twelve signs
Astrology traditionally pairs signs of the same element, and fire with air or earth with water. It is a tradition rather than a science, so read your sign for fun. You can also find your Chinese zodiac animal or your life path number.
Frequently asked questions
What is my zodiac sign?
Enter your date of birth above. Your sign is set by the day and month: for example, anyone born between March 21 and April 19 is an Aries.
Does my birth year change my zodiac sign?
No – Western zodiac signs repeat every year. Only the exact day the Sun changes sign shifts by a day or so. Your Chinese zodiac animal does depend on the year.
What does it mean to be born on the cusp?
Being born on the first or last day of a sign. The Sun changes sign on a slightly different day each year, so check a birth chart with your birth time if you are on a cusp.
What is the difference between a sun sign, moon sign and rising sign?
Your sun sign (the one horoscopes use) comes from your birthday. Your moon sign and rising sign need your exact time and place of birth.
Which signs are most compatible?
Astrology traditionally matches signs of the same element, and fire with air or earth with water. It is a tradition, not a science.