Astrological Signs and Planets Glyphs Explained

Anca-Simina Martin Applied Modern Languages English-French 3rd year

The History of Sun Signs Symbols

The Zodiac division of the ecliptic into twelve parts, each assigned a Zodiac sign, is probably of Babylonian (Mesopotamia) origin. The Zodiac very much like the one we know today, might have emerged in Mesopotamia around 1000 BC, but Babylonian astrology is probably far older than that.

Aries (The Ram)

Resembles the face and horns of a ram Represents the eyebrows and nose of the human head (in the medical astrology, Aries rules the head) plant shoot when it first emerges from the ground in the spring

Taurus (The Bull)

a simple representation of the head of a bull, with its horns the rounded glyph is symbolic of the Taurus tendencies of being obstinate, difficult to sway, and slow and sometimes lazy

Gemini (The Twins)

The brightest stars of its constellation clearly form two stickman figures if connected by lines (Pollux and Castor) Literally, the Roman numeral II and the theme of duality is the key to the meaning of this sign

Cancer (The Crab)

It represents the two hooked claws of the crab which stand for tenacity (grip on things) It symbolizes the breasts, reflecting the nurturing quality of this sign

Leo (The Lion)

It is a simplified drawing of the lion's head and mane Might represent the heart valves (in medical astrology, Leo rules the heart)

Virgo (The Virgin)

m is an ancient medical symbol, said to represent the intestines (in the medical astrology, Virgo rules the lower abdomen) Can also be interpreted as the ovaries, vagina and uterus

Libra (The Scales)

It is a simplified drawing of a scale Described as a dairy maid's yoke, used to balance two pales of milk A symbol of the Sun setting over the western horizon, since Libra is associated with the western side of the horoscope

Scorpio (The Scorpion)

Again, the ancient medical symbol m, this time with the scorpion tail stinger, as a further reference to its reputation for revenge and retribution

Sagittarius (The Archer)

Represents an upward pointed bow and arrow, as a symbol for dreams and hopes being shot into the air towards some mystical target The line stands for the duality of the sign, half human and half horse.

Capricorn (The Goat or Sea-goat)

It is a simplified drawing of a seagoat, the horned head being implied to the left and the curved fish tail to the right Alternatively, it has also been described as the goat bending down on its knees

Aquarius (The Water Bearer)

The glyph is two wavy, zig-zag lines, representing the water (also an Ancient Egyptian hieroglyph) Alternatively the electricity associated with Aquarius second planetary ruler, Uranus

Pisces (The Fish)

It is a simplified drawing of two fish swimming in converging streams of water, also representing the rivers Euphrates and Tigris One fish swims towards the soulful, mystical oceans and the other swims towards selffulfillment

The History of Planets Symbols

The written symbols for Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn have been traced to forms found in late Greek papyri The symbols for Jupiter and Saturn are identified as monograms of the initial letters of the corresponding Greek names, and the symbol for Mercury is a stylized caduceus During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, they were also used in alchemy and the occult

The Sun
The circle of spirit and vitality contains a point in the center symbolizing the Sun's position in relation to the rest of the planets planets

The Moon
The crescent lines of the Moons glyph are doubled, indicating its high level of receptivity, perceptiveness, and sensitivity

Mercury
The glyph for Mercury consists of the semicircle representing the receptive qualities of the Moon, above a circle representing the spirit of the Sun and a cross, representing matter

Venus
Represents a circle (spirit of the Sun) placed over the cross of matter The resemblance of the glyph to a hand-held mirror is interesting, as Venus determines how we, as individuals, reflect ourselves in others and others in ourselves

Mars
Commonly used as the sign for the male, the glyph for Mars is represented by the cross of matter over the circle of divine spirit. This signifies that, for this planet, the material world has precedence over the spiritual

Jupiter
A semi-circle, corresponding with the Moon, the soul, above the cross of matter signifies the spirit excelling over matter (or Man's soul surpassing the material world)

Saturn
The semi-circle of the Moon under the cross of matter, representing spiritual limitations due to the restrictions placed by the material world

Uranus
1. Resembles a television aerial (modern technology falls under the rulership of this planet) and signifies the cross of matter is open to both left-brain and right-brain perceptions and is rooted in the spirit of the collective unconscious - Lalande in 1784 2. Intended to represent the newly discovered metal platinum, by mixing the alchemical symbols of Mars (iron) and Sun (gold) - invented by J. G. Khler and refined by Bode

Neptune
The semi-circle of the soul over the cross of matter, representing the importance of the soul and spirit over the material world

Pluto
1. The most commonly used glyph for the planet Pluto is represented by the letters PL standing for Percival Lowell whose calculations led to the discovery of this planet in 1930 2. The circle of the spirit permeating through the semi-circle, the soul, then on to the cross of matter, signifying the dawning recognition of the physical and the material of the universal spirit through the medium of the soul.