Aries (astrology)

Aries (Template:Emoji presentation; Template:Langx, Template:Langx) is the first astrological sign in the zodiac, spanning the first 30 degrees of celestial longitude (0°≤ λ <30°), and originates from the Aries constellation. Under the tropical zodiac, the Sun transits this sign from approximately March 21 to April 19 each year.Template:Sfn This time-duration is exactly the first month of the Solar Hijri calendar (Arabic Hamal/Persian Farvardin/Pashto Wray).Template:Sfn

According to the tropical system of astrology, the Sun enters the sign of Aries when it reaches the March equinox, typically on March 21. Because the Earth takes approximately 365.24 days to go around the Sun, the precise time of the equinox is not the same each year, and generally will occur about six hours later from one year to the next until reset by a leap year. The leap day February 29 causes that year's March equinox to fall about eighteen hours earlier compared with the previous year.

Background

Aries is one of the six positive signs of the zodiac and it is one of the four modality cardinals of the zodiac. Aries is one of the three fire signs in the zodiac, along with Leo and Sagittarius. The ruling planet is Mars. Individuals born while the Sun is in this sign may be called AriensTemplate:Sfn The color for Aries is red.Template:Sfn The opposite zodiac sign to Aries is Libra.

The equivalent in the Hindu solar calendar is Meṣa.Template:Sfn

Mythology

In Greek mythology, the symbol of the ram is based on the Chrysomallus, the flying ram that rescued Phrixus and Helle, the children of the Boeotian king Athamas and provided the Golden Fleece. Beyond the association to the planet Mars, there is no link between Aries and Ares, the god of war, often pictured with a vulture and whose origin possibly stems from ἀρή (arē), the Ionic form of the Doric ἀρά (ara), "bane, ruin, curse, imprecation", though this is thought improbable by Beekes.

Gallery

• File:Aries2.jpg
• Mosaic in Maltezana near Analipsi, Astypalaia, 5th century CE
  Mosaic in Maltezana near Analipsi, Astypalaia, 5th century CE
• Aries zodiac sign, Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India, 18th century CE
  Aries zodiac sign, Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, India, 18th century CE
• Aries, or al-ħamal, depicted in the 14th/15th century Arabic astrology text Book of Wonders
  Aries, or al-ħamal, depicted in the 14th/15th century Arabic astrology text Book of Wonders

See also

• Astronomical symbols
• Chinese zodiac
• Circle of stars
• Cusp (astrology)
• Elements of the zodiac
• History of astrology
• Fire (classical element)

References

Sources

• For time of Sun's entry or exit from a sign, calculate Longitude of Sun, apparent geocentric ecliptic of date, interpolated to find time of crossing 0°, 30°..... For list of vernal equinox dates calculate phenomena: solstices/equinoxes, choosing UT1 and years 1800 through 2050.

External links

• Warburg Institute Iconographic Database (c. 360 medieval and early modern images of Aries)