The 12 zodiac signs

Every zodiac sign is its own signature — built from an element, a modality, a polarity and a ruling planet. Here you'll learn what that means, and find out which of your placements sit in which sign.

New here? Start with the basics

AriesFire · Cardinal · Bold and self-starting TaurusEarth · Fixed · Grounded and sensual GeminiAir · Mutable · Curious and quick-witted CancerWater · Cardinal · Nurturing and protective LeoFire · Fixed · Warm and expressive VirgoEarth · Mutable · Precise and helpful LibraAir · Cardinal · Accommodating and justice-oriented ScorpioWater · Fixed · Intense and transformative SagittariusFire · Mutable · Adventurous and truth-seeking CapricornEarth · Cardinal · Ambitious and disciplined AquariusAir · Fixed · Independent and future-minded PiscesWater · Mutable · Compassionate and imaginative

Sign explorer

Explore the 12 signs.

Tap a sign — its polarity, element, modality and ruler, each explained in one line.

The raw material

Four elements

The element gives each sign its raw energy. Three signs share each one.

Fire

Energy, drive and enthusiasm — fire signs act first and think later.

Aries Leo Sagittarius

Earth

Grounded and practical — earth signs build things that last.

Taurus Virgo Capricorn

Air

Thinking, talking, connecting — air signs live in ideas and conversation.

Gemini Libra Aquarius

Water

Feeling and intuition — water signs soak up moods like a sponge.

Cancer Scorpio Pisces

The style of action

Three modalities

The modality describes HOW a sign acts — starting, sustaining or adapting.

Cardinal

Starters: cardinal signs open a season and get things moving.

Aries Cancer Libra Capricorn

Fixed

Sustainers: fixed signs stabilise, deepen and see things through.

Taurus Leo Scorpio Aquarius

Mutable

Adapters: mutable signs adjust and prepare the shift into what comes next.

Gemini Virgo Sagittarius Pisces

The basic direction

Two polarities

Every sign is either outward-facing (yang/active) or inward-facing (yin/receptive).

Diurnal (yang)

Yang/active: outward-facing, expressive and initiating (fire & air).

Aries Gemini Leo Libra Sagittarius Aquarius

Nocturnal (yin)

Yin/receptive: inward-facing, absorbing and steady (earth & water).

Taurus Cancer Virgo Scorpio Capricorn Pisces

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

How many zodiac signs are there?

There are 12 zodiac signs — from Aries to Pisces. Each covers about 30° of the zodiac the Sun travels through over a year.

What's the difference between your zodiac sign and your Rising sign?

Your zodiac sign is your Sun sign — where the Sun sat when you were born. Your Rising (Ascendant) is the sign that was coming up in the east, and it shapes how you come across. Both are part of your chart.

What do a sign's element and modality mean?

The element (fire, earth, air, water) is the raw energy; the modality (cardinal, fixed, mutable) is the style of action. Together they make each sign distinct.

Do I only have one zodiac sign?

No. Your Sun sign is just the start — your Moon, Rising and every planet sit in a sign of their own. Open a sign below and use the calculator to see which of your placements fall in it.