Western elements
Glossary · Last updated: 2026-07-26
Western astrology assigns each tropical sign one of four elements. Fire: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius. Earth: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn. Air: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius. Water: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces.
Elements describe temperament metaphors in chart talk. They are not the same as Chinese Wu Xing five phases.
Example: see it on a birth date
Aquarius on February 4, 2022 is a Air sign in the Western system.
The Chinese year element on that date is Water, from the Year of the Water Tiger. That is a different list.
Enter your own date on the Zodiac Sign Calculator.
Compatibility memes
Same-element pairings get described as easy rapport in pop astrology. Real relationship charts look at full synastry, not elements alone.
Related
Main reading and tools
These are the main reading and calculator pages. Use them for a daily note, a birth-sign tool, or a pair check.
- Today's Horoscope hubAll twelve Western sun-sign daily pages, plus links to the seven-tradition reader.
- Horoscope & Zodiac CompatibilityTwo birth dates for Western, Chinese, and Indian Vedic pairing, plus every sun-sign hub.
- Zodiac Sign CalculatorWestern sun sign from birth date, with element, modality, and ruler.
- Rising Sign CalculatorIndian Vedic Lagna estimate when you have birth date, time, and place.
- Moon Sign CalculatorIndian Vedic Janma Rashi and nakshatra when birth time and city are available.