The Real History of the Zodiac

In astronomy and astrology, the zodiac is a belt across the sky extending nine degrees on either side of the ecliptic—the plane of Earth’s orbit and the Sun’s apparent annual path.
In theory, the constellations that represent the 12 astrological signs each take up one-twelfth of this belt, though in reality these constellations aren’t perfectly proportioned in shape or size.
They have also changed in location since the zodiac sign system was first charted by the Babylonians about 450 BCE.
The direction of the Sun on January 1, 2021, would actually be in Sagittarius rather than Capricornus.
But tradition holds that a baby born on that day would still identify as a Capricorn.
As with the horned goat of Capricorn, most zodiac signs are represented by an animal.
The ancient Greeks called their zones in the sky zodiakos kyklos, meaning “circle of animals,” and ta zodia, meaning “the little animals.”
Each zodiac sign also has a symbol, like the arrow for Sagittarius and simplified ram’s horns for Aries.
These symbols likely originated around the Middle Ages, though their exact history has never been uncovered.
Like the many interpretations of the meaning of zodiac signs, it’s up to us to discover.