Zodiac Signs and Zodiac Symbols

The zodiac (Greek, zodiacos, "circle of animals") is divided into twelve signs in Western astrology which represent phases of an uninterrupted, flowing cycle of growth. The zodiac signs or zodiac symbols are classified by their element, quality and polarity. The elements are fire, earth, air and water. The fire signs (Aires, Leo, Sagittarius) are inspirational, self-motivating and future oriented. The earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) are practical, conservative and often materialistic. The air signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) are intellectual, person-oriented and communicative. The water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) are emotional, intuitive and attuned to subtle "vibrations."

Horoscope zodiac signs have been around for many centuries. The signs of the zodiac have provided people with the information that they need to live there lives happily and safely. Vedic Horoscopes based on your zodiac sign can help you find the answers to your problems and explain things about your personality.

Chinese Zodiac: Zodiac Signs

For those who are not familiar with the Chinese Zodiac, it is basically made up of a 12-year cycle and the Chinese animal signs are used for dating the years. While the Western concept of time is linear, the Chinese one is cyclical.

The Chinese Lunar Calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, and is quite different from the Western calendar. According to the Chinese calendar, the year begins somewhere towards the end of January or early February. While most of the Chinese civilization has adopted the Western calendar, yet for festive seasons, the Chinese Lunar Calendar is still the determining factor.

As the Chinese calendar is cyclical it simply means that certain things will be repeated after a time. The popular way of doing so is by using the Twelve Animal Signs. Each year is assigned an animal and they go in this cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar. After a 12-year cycle that ends at the Boar, it would go back to the year of the Rat once more.