Zodiac Signs

The 12 zodiac signs are the foundational building blocks of Western astrology. This page covers what each sign means and how it expresses.

The outer ring shows the 12 zodiac signs.

What are zodiac signs?

In Western astrology, the zodiac is the belt of sky through which the Sun appears to travel over the course of a year. This belt is divided into 12 equal segments of 30° each, and each segment is a zodiac sign. Every sign carries its own distinct energy and qualities, shaping how any planet placed within it expresses itself.

When someone asks “what’s your sign?”, they’re referring to your Sun sign — the sign the Sun occupied at the moment of your birth. A full birth chart places every planet in a sign, so you’re really a blend of many sign energies.

In HOSHIDOU’s Single Wheel, the 12 signs appear as a colored ring around the outer edge of the chart. You can see which sign each planet falls in by its position on the ring, or by checking the table view below the chart.

Elements

The 12 signs are grouped into four elements. Signs that share an element have a fundamental quality in common.

Element	Nature	Signs
Fire	Passionate, intuitive, action-oriented	Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Earth	Practical, grounded, sensory	Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Air	Intellectual, social, objective	Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Water	Emotional, intuitive, empathetic	Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces

Fire signs are energetic and spontaneous. Earth signs value tangible results and sensory experience. Air signs prioritize thinking and communication. Water signs are defined by emotional depth and empathy for others.

Modalities

The 12 signs are also divided into three modalities (sometimes called “qualities”). Modalities describe how a sign approaches action and change.

Modality	Approach	Signs
Cardinal	Initiating, leading	Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Fixed	Sustaining, stabilizing	Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
Mutable	Adapting, transitioning	Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces

Cardinal signs mark the start of each season and excel at launching new endeavors. Fixed signs occupy the middle of each season and have the endurance to see things through. Mutable signs fall at the turn of each season and are flexible enough to bridge one phase to the next.

The 12 signs

Below is a detailed look at each of the 12 zodiac signs in order. The date ranges listed are approximate and can shift by a day depending on the year.

Aries ♈

Approx. March 21 – April 19 / Fire / Cardinal / Ruled by Mars

Keywords: Initiative, courage, independence, impulse, leadership

Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and it charges ahead with fearless energy. People with strong Aries placements are self-starters who thrive on challenge and competition. They can be impulsive and may struggle to finish what they begin, but their boldness is what gets things moving in the first place.

Taurus ♉

Approx. April 20 – May 20 / Earth / Fixed / Ruled by Venus

Keywords: Stability, senses, patience, possessions, aesthetics

Taurus experiences the world through the five senses and seeks comfort, beauty, and security. Once committed, Taurus is remarkably steadfast and will see things through with quiet determination. A love of fine food, art, and physical pleasures is central to this sign, though stubbornness can be a stumbling block.

Gemini ♊

Approx. May 21 – June 21 / Air / Mutable / Ruled by Mercury

Keywords: Curiosity, communication, versatility, wit, changeability

Gemini is endlessly curious, flitting from subject to subject in pursuit of new information and ideas. Communication is Gemini’s forte — whether through conversation, writing, or media. This sign is versatile and quick-thinking, though its restless nature can make sustained focus a challenge.

Cancer ♋

Approx. June 22 – July 22 / Water / Cardinal / Ruled by the Moon

Keywords: Empathy, nurturing, family, emotion, protectiveness

Cancer is deeply emotional and fiercely protective of the people it loves. Home, family, and close bonds form the bedrock of this sign’s world. Cancer’s emotional attunement runs deep — the same sensitivity that lets it sense what others need also means it is quick to wound, retreating behind a tough shell when hurt.

Leo ♌

Approx. July 23 – August 22 / Fire / Fixed / Ruled by the Sun

Keywords: Creativity, self-expression, pride, generosity, drama

Leo radiates warmth and confidence like the Sun that rules it. This sign has a natural flair for creative expression and a generous spirit that draws people in. Leo’s desire for recognition can tip into vanity, but at its best, that drive fuels remarkable acts of courage and leadership.

Virgo ♍

Approx. August 23 – September 22 / Earth / Mutable / Ruled by Mercury

Keywords: Analysis, service, perfectionism, practicality, health

Virgo has a sharp analytical mind and an eye for detail that few signs can match. There is genuine satisfaction in being useful — organizing, improving, and solving problems for others. Virgo’s pursuit of perfection is a double-edged sword: it produces excellent work but can also lead to harsh self-criticism and worry.

Libra ♎

Approx. September 23 – October 23 / Air / Cardinal / Ruled by Venus

Keywords: Balance, harmony, beauty, partnership, fairness

Libra is the sign of partnership and equilibrium, always seeking harmony in relationships and surroundings. Ruled by Venus, Libra has a refined aesthetic sense and gravitates toward elegance and grace. The desire to keep the peace can sometimes lead to indecision or a tendency to prioritize others’ wishes over one’s own.

Scorpio ♏

Approx. October 24 – November 22 / Water / Fixed / Ruled by Pluto (traditionally Mars)

Keywords: Depth, transformation, intensity, passion, secrecy

Scorpio cuts through surfaces to reach the truth beneath. This sign possesses extraordinary focus and emotional intensity, refusing to settle for anything shallow. Scorpio carries the power of transformation and regeneration — the ability to emerge from crisis renewed, like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Sagittarius ♐

Approx. November 23 – December 21 / Fire / Mutable / Ruled by Jupiter

Keywords: Adventure, philosophy, freedom, optimism, exploration

Sagittarius is the explorer of the zodiac, driven by a restless need to discover new horizons — both physical and intellectual. Philosophy, travel, and cross-cultural exchange all fall under this sign’s domain. Sagittarius is infectiously optimistic and fiercely independent, though its love of freedom can sometimes translate into a reluctance to commit or attend to details.

Capricorn ♑

Approx. December 22 – January 19 / Earth / Cardinal / Ruled by Saturn

Keywords: Responsibility, ambition, discipline, structure, achievement

Capricorn climbs steadily toward its goals, building results brick by brick through persistence and hard work. A strong sense of duty and social awareness makes this sign effective within organizations and hierarchies. Capricorn’s pragmatism is its greatest asset, though it can lead to workaholism or a tendency to suppress emotions in favor of productivity.

Aquarius ♒

Approx. January 20 – February 18 / Air / Fixed / Ruled by Uranus (traditionally Saturn)

Keywords: Originality, reform, humanitarianism, independence, vision

Aquarius sees the world from an unconventional vantage point, questioning norms and imagining new possibilities. This sign cares deeply about collective progress and social reform, championing individuality and freedom above all else. Aquarius is intellectually warm yet emotionally detached — more drawn to ideals and causes than to personal intimacy.

Pisces ♓

Approx. February 19 – March 20 / Water / Mutable / Ruled by Neptune (traditionally Jupiter)

Keywords: Intuition, compassion, imagination, healing, spirituality

Pisces is the final sign of the zodiac, carrying within it traces of every sign that came before. Its boundless imagination and deep compassion allow it to absorb and reflect the feelings of those around it. Pisces is often drawn to art, music, and spiritual pursuits, though it can struggle to maintain firm boundaries between its own experience and the emotions of others.

Elements and modalities combined

Every sign is a unique pairing of one element and one modality. The grid below shows how all 12 signs map onto these two classification systems.

	Cardinal	Fixed	Mutable
Fire	Aries	Leo	Sagittarius
Earth	Capricorn	Taurus	Virgo
Air	Libra	Aquarius	Gemini
Water	Cancer	Scorpio	Pisces

Understanding this grid makes it easier to grasp each sign’s character at a glance. For example, “Aries = Fire + Cardinal” immediately tells you this is a sign that acts on passion and takes the initiative.

How signs appear in HOSHIDOU

HOSHIDOU displays zodiac sign information in several places throughout the app.

Chart ring

In the Single Wheel and Triple Wheel, the 12 signs are shown as a colored ring around the outside of the chart. Each element has its own color, making it easy to see at a glance which elemental energy dominates a given area of the chart.

Tooltips

Hovering over (or tapping) a planet icon on the chart reveals a tooltip showing that planet’s sign and exact degree. For example, “Sun ♌ 15°23’” tells you the Sun is at 15° and 23 minutes of Leo.

Table view

The table below each chart lists every planet’s sign, degree, and house in a compact grid. This is the quickest way to spot stelliums (clusters of planets in the same sign) or to get a full overview of all placements at once. You can customize which columns appear in the table from the Settings screen.