Your star sign, also called your Sun sign, depends on your birthday. If you know the day and month you were born, you can find your zodiac sign using the dates below.
There are 12 zodiac signs in Western astrology, from Aries to Pisces. Each has its own personality traits, ruling planet, and element: fire, earth, air, or water. Your Sun sign describes your basic personality, ambitions, strengths, and the qualities that make you who you are.
What Is a Star Sign?
Your star sign is the zodiac sign occupied by the Sun at the time of your birth. For example, someone born on June 5 is a Gemini, and someone born on December 10 is a Sagittarius.
In astrology, the Sun represents your identity, confidence, personal ambitions, and the way you express yourself.
For most birthdays, the day and month are enough to identify your sign. If you were born close to the date the Sun changes signs, your birth year and exact birth time may be necessary.
Zodiac Signs and Their Dates
| Zodiac sign | Birth dates | Element |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | March 21 – April 19 | Fire |
| Taurus | April 20 – May 20 | Earth |
| Gemini | May 21 – June 20 | Air |
| Cancer | June 21 – July 22 | Water |
| Leo | July 23 – August 22 | Fire |
| Virgo | August 23 – September 22 | Earth |
| Libra | September 23 – October 22 | Air |
| Scorpio | October 23 – November 21 | Water |
| Sagittarius | November 22 – December 21 | Fire |
| Capricorn | December 22 – January 19 | Earth |
| Aquarius | January 20 – February 18 | Air |
| Pisces | February 19 – March 20 | Water |
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Element: Fire | Ruling planet: Mars
Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, ruled by Mars, the planet of action and ambition. People born under this sign are energetic, competitive, and independent. They enjoy taking initiative and prefer making decisions themselves.
Their enthusiasm helps them start new projects, although patience can be a challenge. Aries is happiest with something to work toward and enough freedom to pursue it.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Element: Earth | Ruling planet: Venus
Taurus appreciates stability, comfort, and the pleasures of everyday life. Ruled by Venus, this earth sign enjoys good food, beautiful surroundings, affection, and financial security.
Taureans are persistent and loyal, especially toward the people they love. They may resist sudden changes and can be stubborn once they’ve made up their minds.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Element: Air | Ruling planet: Mercury
Gemini is curious, talkative, adaptable, and interested in almost everything. Ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, this air sign loves exchanging ideas, meeting people, and learning new things.
Geminis can juggle several interests at once and change their plans surprisingly quickly. Repetitive routines and conversations that go nowhere can test their patience.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Element: Water | Ruling planet: Moon
Cancer is ruled by the Moon, which governs emotions, instincts, and memories. People with this Sun sign are caring, protective, and strongly attached to the people and places they love.
Family, close friendships, and emotional security are especially important to them. They have excellent memories and may take longer to recover from hurtful experiences.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Element: Fire | Ruling planet: Sun
Leo is ruled by the Sun itself, giving this fire sign a strong sense of identity and a desire to express its individuality. Leos are creative, generous, affectionate, and proud of their accomplishments.
They enjoy appreciation and love making the people around them happy. Their confidence can inspire others, although criticism may be difficult for them to accept.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Element: Earth | Ruling planet: Mercury
Virgo is observant, analytical, hardworking, and attentive to details. Also ruled by Mercury, Virgo expresses its intelligence through problem-solving, organization, and careful observation.
People born under this sign have a talent for recognizing mistakes and improving things. Their high standards can make them overly critical of themselves, even after completing an excellent job.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
Element: Air | Ruling planet: Venus
Libra is associated with relationships, fairness, beauty, and diplomacy. Ruled by Venus, this air sign appreciates companionship, interesting conversations, and attractive surroundings.
Libras usually consider several perspectives before making a decision. They have a talent for resolving disagreements, although their desire to keep everyone happy can lead to indecision.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
Element: Water | Ruling planets: Mars and Pluto
Scorpio is intense, private, determined, and emotionally perceptive. Traditionally ruled by Mars and associated with Pluto in modern astrology, this water sign approaches relationships and personal ambitions with considerable passion.
Scorpios take trust seriously and prefer meaningful connections over superficial acquaintances. They can be protective, persistent, and extremely difficult to persuade once they’ve reached a decision.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
Element: Fire | Ruling planet: Jupiter
Sagittarius is adventurous, optimistic, independent, and eager to learn. Ruled by Jupiter, the planet of expansion, this fire sign loves travel, philosophy, different cultures, and opportunities to broaden its knowledge.
Sagittarians appreciate honesty and personal freedom. Their straightforward communication can occasionally sound blunt, but they usually prefer speaking openly to hiding their opinions.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
Element: Earth | Ruling planet: Saturn
Capricorn is ambitious, disciplined, patient, and responsible. Ruled by Saturn, this earth sign understands that worthwhile achievements require time and consistent effort.
Capricorns take their commitments seriously and prefer working toward clear goals. They may seem reserved initially, but their dry humor and loyalty become more obvious to people who know them well.
Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)
Element: Air | Ruling planets: Saturn and Uranus
Aquarius is independent, inventive, intellectual, and interested in unconventional ideas. Traditionally ruled by Saturn and associated with Uranus in modern astrology, this air sign appreciates originality and personal freedom.
Aquarians enjoy questioning established rules and considering alternative solutions. They can be sociable and friendly yet need plenty of independence to pursue their interests.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Element: Water | Ruling planets: Jupiter and Neptune
Pisces is imaginative, compassionate, intuitive, and creative. Traditionally ruled by Jupiter and associated with Neptune in modern astrology, this water sign has a rich inner life and a strong appreciation for art, music, and spirituality.
Pisceans are receptive to other people’s emotions and may have an impressive imagination. They benefit from having personal boundaries and enough time for their creative interests.
What About Your Moon and Rising Signs?
Your Sun sign is only one part of your birth chart. Two people born under the same zodiac sign can have very different personalities because their other planetary placements differ.
Your Moon sign describes your emotional needs, instincts, and private reactions. For example, a Gemini Sun with a Cancer Moon may be talkative and curious but also sensitive and strongly attached to family.
Your rising sign, also called your Ascendant, describes your outward personality, appearance, and approach to new situations. It is determined by the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at your birth.
To calculate your complete birth chart, you’ll need your birth date, exact birth time, and birthplace. Your rising sign changes approximately every two hours, so an accurate birth time is especially important.
Your Star Sign Is Just the Beginning
Finding your Sun sign is an easy introduction to astrology. It gives you a starting point for exploring your personality, strengths, motivations, and the qualities associated with your zodiac sign.
Your Moon, Ascendant, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and other planetary placements add much more detail. You might be a Taurus who loves stability but have several planets in Gemini that give you a curious, restless personality.
Once you know your star sign, exploring the rest of your birth chart can help explain why you identify strongly with certain zodiac traits and less with others.
More About Zodiac Signs and Birth Charts
- October 23 Zodiac Sign: Libra or Scorpio? How to Know for Sure
- Top 20 Serial Killers by Zodiac Sign (and the Astrology Behind Their Charts)
- Top 3 Zodiac Signs Most Likely to Be Submissive in Love
- Cat Zodiac Signs and Personalities: How Your Cat Acts Based on Their Birth Sign
- How Zodiac Signs Act Around Their Crush: From Aries to Pisces
