Astrological sign

An astrological sign is one of twelve divisions of the zodiac, traditionally linked to a period of the year and used to interpret birth charts.

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Zodiac: A belt of the sky divided into twelve sectors in Western astrology, associated with the apparent path of the Sun. Astrological signs are the twelve divisions that make up this framework.
Natal astrology: The branch of astrology that interprets a person's character and life through the positions of celestial bodies at birth. It uses signs to interpret planets and other chart placements at birth.
Constellation: A formally defined region of the celestial sphere, often named for a recognizable star pattern. Signs and constellations share names but are not equivalent sky divisions.
Zodiac compatibility: Astrological judgments about how well the signs or birth charts of two people fit together. Compatibility readings often compare signs through their elements or modalities.
Ecliptic: The apparent annual path of the Sun across the celestial sphere, corresponding to Earth's orbital plane. The zodiac is arranged along this apparent solar path.
Birth chart: A diagram of celestial positions for a specific time and place, interpreted in astrology. A sign's placement in a chart depends on the planet or point occupying it.
Chinese zodiac: A repeating twelve-year cycle in Chinese astrology, with each year associated with an animal and other attributes. Its twelve animal signs form a different system from the Western zodiac divisions.
Four elements (classical): The four traditional elements—fire, earth, air, and water—used in several ancient philosophical systems. Western astrology groups its signs into these four elemental triplicities.
Tropical zodiac: A zodiac system that anchors its twelve signs to the equinoxes and solstices. It fixes sign boundaries to seasonal points rather than fixed star positions.
Ascendant: The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at a particular time and place. Its sign is a major chart placement alongside the Sun and Moon signs.