Zodiac
Glossary · Last updated: 2026-07-26
The zodiac first meant the band of constellations along the ecliptic. The ecliptic is the apparent path of the Sun, Moon, and planets across the year.
Western astrology uses twelve equal 30-degree tropical signs. Other systems (Indian Vedic, Chinese animals, Mayan day-signs) are separate frames.
Example: see it on a birth date
The zodiac is the belt of twelve signs. On December 22, 2020 the Western tropical sun sign is Capricorn.
The Indian Vedic sidereal Moon estimate for the same date is Meena rashi. Both use twelve signs. They do not always use the same label.
Enter your own date on the Zodiac Sign Calculator.
Not only Western
Chinese Sheng Xiao, Mayan Tzolk'in, and Celtic tree calendars are also called zodiacs in plain English. They are not twelve tropical signs.
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.