The 12 Zodiac Signs
The zodiac consists of 12 signs, each with unique characteristics, strengths, and challenges. In Vedic astrology, these are positioned in the sidereal zodiac, making them about 24 degrees offset from the Western tropical zodiac. The dates given with each sign below are the Western (tropical) Sun-sign dates most horoscope columns use; the Vedic dates follow in their own table.
Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Element: Fire | Energy: Passionate, action-oriented, enthusiastic
Fire signs are natural leaders, adventurous, and driven by passion. They're optimistic but can be impulsive.
Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Element: Earth | Energy: Practical, grounded, reliable
Earth signs are stable, hardworking, and focused on material security. They're dependable but can be stubborn.
Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Element: Air | Energy: Intellectual, communicative, social
Air signs are great communicators, curious, and analytical. They excel in relationships but can be indecisive.
Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Element: Water | Energy: Emotional, intuitive, sensitive
Water signs are intuitive, empathetic, and deeply emotional. They're natural healers but can be moody.
Zodiac Sign Characteristics
Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19): Bold, courageous, pioneering | Strength: Leadership | Challenge: Impatience
Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20): Stable, sensual, dependable | Strength: Loyalty | Challenge: Stubbornness
Gemini (May 21 - Jun 20): Communicative, versatile, curious | Strength: Adaptability | Challenge: Inconsistency
Cancer (Jun 21 - Jul 22): Nurturing, emotional, protective | Strength: Intuition | Challenge: Moodiness
Leo (Jul 23 - Aug 22): Charismatic, generous, confident | Strength: Creativity | Challenge: Pride
Virgo (Aug 23 - Sep 22): Analytical, practical, perfectionist | Strength: Attention to detail | Challenge: Criticism
Libra (Sep 23 - Oct 22): Diplomatic, social, fair-minded | Strength: Balance | Challenge: Indecision
Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21): Intense, passionate, magnetic | Strength: Determination | Challenge: Jealousy
Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21): Adventurous, optimistic, philosophical | Strength: Vision | Challenge: Recklessness
Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19): Ambitious, responsible, disciplined | Strength: Achievement | Challenge: Pessimism
Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18): Innovative, humanitarian, detached | Strength: Originality | Challenge: Aloofness
Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20): Imaginative, compassionate, spiritual | Strength: Empathy | Challenge: Escapism
Which Zodiac Sign Is Each Month?
Every calendar month is shared by two signs. In the Western (tropical) system the change falls around the 19th to the 23rd:
- January: Capricorn until Jan 19, then Aquarius
- February: Aquarius until Feb 18, then Pisces
- March: Pisces until Mar 20, then Aries
- April: Aries until Apr 19, then Taurus
- May: Taurus until May 20, then Gemini
- June: Gemini until Jun 20, then Cancer
- July: Cancer until Jul 22, then Leo
- August: Leo until Aug 22, then Virgo
- September: Virgo until Sep 22, then Libra
- October: Libra until Oct 22, then Scorpio
- November: Scorpio until Nov 21, then Sagittarius
- December: Sagittarius until Dec 21, then Capricorn
Zodiac Sign Dates in Vedic Astrology (2026)
In the sidereal zodiac the Sun enters each sign around the 13th to the 17th of the month — the Sankranti — so a Vedic Sun sign is often the one before your Western sign. These 2026 entry dates are computed by our own Vedic engine (Lahiri ayanamsa, India Standard Time):
- Makara (Capricorn): 14 Jan – 13 Feb 2026 (Makar Sankranti, 14 Jan)
- Kumbha (Aquarius): 13 Feb – 15 Mar 2026
- Meena (Pisces): 15 Mar – 14 Apr 2026
- Mesha (Aries): 14 Apr – 15 May 2026
- Vrishabha (Taurus): 15 May – 15 Jun 2026
- Mithuna (Gemini): 15 Jun – 16 Jul 2026
- Karka (Cancer): 16 Jul – 17 Aug 2026
- Simha (Leo): 17 Aug – 17 Sep 2026
- Kanya (Virgo): 17 Sep – 17 Oct 2026
- Tula (Libra): 17 Oct – 16 Nov 2026
- Vrishchika (Scorpio): 16 Nov – 16 Dec 2026
- Dhanu (Sagittarius): 16 Dec 2026 – 14 Jan 2027
To see your own Sun in both zodiacs, sidereal and tropical, use the Sun sign calculator.
Vedic astrology gives the most weight to the Moon sign (rashi), which changes every two to two-and-a-half days and needs a birth time to fix. The Moon sign (rashi) calculator finds yours, the Nakshatra calculator adds the birth star inside it, and each sign's page — for example Aries traits and dates — goes deeper.
Conclusion
Your Sun sign is just one part of your chart. Combined with your Moon sign, Ascendant, and other placements, you get the full picture of who you are.
