Zodiac Symbols Trivia Quiz

The twelve zodiac signs each represent 30 degrees of the ecliptic plane, making a total of 360 degrees. The tropical system of astrology typically used in the Western astrology is based on the Northern hemisphere seasons where 0 degrees in the zodiac coincides with the March (or spring) equinox. Western astrology uses the Latin names for the zodiac sign.

The sideral system used by Hindu astrologists is based on the position of the stars but as a result of Earth's axial precession, the stars appear to be moving backwards with 1 degree of change every 72 years. This means that the sideral and tropical systems last coincided about 2,000 years ago with the sign of Pisces (under the sideral system) in recent times coinciding with the Northern hemisphere spring equinox.

Just to confuse things, some astrologists in the Southern hemisphere use the Southern hemisphere spring equinox (which occurs in September) as a starting point, meaning the sign of Libra coincides with the March equinox. The Chinese use a different celestial-based system.

The zodiac symbols in this quiz are numbered in sequential order as they occur starting with the March equinox, which is when the Sun enters the sign of Aries. The Aries symbol represents the face and horns of a ram.

The sign of Taurus comes immediately after Aries and covers the next 30-degree sector. The symbol represents the face and horns of a bull

Gemini is the Latin word for 'twins' and the Sun transits this sign between about 22 May and 21 June. Gemini is linked to the twins Castor and Pollux, and the stars named after them.

The Cancer symbol shows the two pincers of a crab. It is tied to the constellation of Cancer. The Sun enters Cancer at the summer solstice, which typically occurs on 21 or 22 June in the Northern hemisphere. The same dates are the winter solstice in the Southern hemisphere.

Corresponding to the constellation of Leo, the symbol for the zodiac sign of the same name represents a stylised head and tail. Called 'Knem' by the Egyptians, this sign coincided with the seasonal flooding of the Nile River, which was seen as a sign of a good harvest to come. The ancient Greeks linked it to the defeat of the Nemean lion, the first of the labours of Heracles.

Virgo's symbol may come from an abbreviation of the ancient Greek word 'parthenos', meaning 'virgin', or possibly from Demotic Egyptian script. In ancient Greek mythology, the sign is associated with Astraea, an immortal who became the constellation of Virgo.

Libra is associated with the scales of justice held by Themis, the ancient Greek personification of sacred law. Themis is the inspiration for the modern Lady Justice. In the night sky, the constellation of Libra is tied to the zodiac sign.

Eighth sign of the zodiac, Scorpio is tied to the constellation of Scorpius. The symbol represents a scorpion with a stinger.

Sagittarius is the Latin word for 'archer' and is linked with the constellation of Sagittarius. The symbol depicts a bow and arrow and is either interpreted as used by a human archer or a centaur.

The symbol of Capricorn represents the head and horns of a goat with the hindquarters and tail of a fish. Known as the sea goat or goat fish, it is derived from a legendary Babylonian aquatic animal which was half-goat, half-fish and symbolised the Babylonian god Enki (or Ea). Capricornus is the associated constellation.

The symbol for Aquarius can be seen as ripples on water. Aquarius is the constellation tied to the water-bearer, the zodiac sign. The water-bearer derives from the Babylonian god Enki (or Ea) and the Sumerians before them. The ancient Greeks interpreted this figure as Ganymede.

The zodiac sign of Pisces is shown in the symbol as two stylised fish tied with a cord. One mythological story is that Aphrodite and her son Eros were transformed into fish tied together with a cord so as not to lose each other. Alpha Piscium (or Alrescha), a star in the Pisces constellation, was described by the Greco-Roman mathematician Ptolemy as where the cord was knotted.