Astrological symbols

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Astrological symbols are images used in various astrological systems to denote relevant objects. A number of such images are shown below.

1 Celestial bodies
2 The Western zodiac
3 Miscellaneous symbols
4 Planets in Indian astrology
5 Chinese zodiac signs
6 Chinese elements
7 Classical elements
8 See also
9 External links

These are the astrological glyphs as most commonly used in Western Astrology.

Name	Symbol represents	Meaning of symbol
Sun	Solar symbol (circled dot)	divine spirit (circle) surrounding seed of potential
Moon	Crescent Moon	mind or evolving human spirit (crescent)
Mercury	Mercury's winged helmet and caduceus	mind (crescent) poised over divine spirit (circle) and matter (cross)
Venus	Venus's hand mirror (Also a stylized representation of human female genitalia)	divine spirit (circle) over matter (cross)
Earth	Earth; also a Solar symbol (sun cross)	Earth — the cardinal directions
Mars	Mars's shield and spear (Also a stylized representation of human male genitalia)	matter (cross) over divine spirit (circle)
1 Ceres	Scythe (handle down), emblematic of Ceres as goddess of grain	One of multiple historical variants, different symbols are sometimes used
Jupiter	Jupiter's thunderbolt or eagle	mind (crescent) rising above the horizon of matter (cross)
Saturn	Saturn's sickle or scythe	matter (cross) taking precedence over mind or human spirit (crescent)
Uranus	H in symbol taken from discoverer's last name, Herschel
Uranus	derived from a combination of the Mars and Sun symbols
Neptune	Neptune's trident	mind or human spirit (crescent) transcending matter (cross)
Pluto	Modification of Neptune's astrological symbol	mind (crescent) transcending matter (cross) to reach for divine spirit (circle)
Pluto	PL monogram for Pluto and Percival Lowell	Atronomical symbol

The symbols used in Western astrology to represent the astrological signs of the Zodiac

Name	Meaning	Symbol Represents
Aries	Ram	Face and horns of ram
Taurus	Bull	Face and horns of bull
Gemini	Twins	Roman numeral two; also, the pillars of knowledge
Cancer	Crab	Crab's claws; also, human breasts and/or Ouroboros
Leo	Lion	Lion's head and mane
Virgo	Virgin	Arms of maiden holding a sheaf of wheat
Libra	Scale	Scales; also, the setting Sun
Scorpio	Scorpion	Legs and tail of scorpion
Sagittarius	Archer	Bow and arrow of the centaur
Capricorn	Sea-goat	Horns and tail of sea goat (alternate Capricorn symbol not shown)
Aquarius	Waterbearer	Ripples of water; also, bolts of lightning; electrically-charged water
Pisces	Fish	Two fish tied together yet swimming in opposite directions

Name	Symbol represents	Explanation
Ascendant	Angle	The ascendant is the angle rising over the eastern horizon at a particular moment in time; it is used in the construction of a horoscope/natal chart (also known as the "rising sign")
Midheaven	Angle	The midheaven is the angle where the ecliptic crosses the Meridian (line of longitude) in the south on northern hemisphere (and the point in north in the southern hemisphere); it is used in the construction of a horoscope/natal chart (also known as the "medium coeli" or "zenith")
Ascending Node	Lunar node	Not all astrologers use the lunar nodes; however, their usage is very important in Vedic astrology. They are alternately known as the "Dragon's Head" (Rahu, Caput Draconis, or Anabibazon) and the "Dragon's Tail" (Ketu, Cauda Draconis, or Catabibazon). The two nodes together are most commonly referred to simply as the nodal axis, the lunar nodes, or the Moon's nodes.
Descending Node	Lunar node	Not all astrologers use the lunar nodes; however, their usage is very important in Vedic astrology. They are alternately known as the "Dragon's Head" (Rahu, Caput Draconis, or Anabibazon) and the "Dragon's Tail" (Ketu, Cauda Draconis, or Catabibazon). The two nodes together are most commonly referred to simply as the nodal axis, the lunar nodes, or the Moon's nodes.
Conjunction	Astrological aspect	0°-10° angle
Semisextile	Astrological aspect [if used]	30° angle
Semi-square	Astrological aspect	45° angle (also known as the "octile" or "semiquartile")
Sextile	Astrological aspect	60° angle
Quintile	Astrological aspect [if used]	72° angle
Square	Astrological aspect	90° angle (also known as the "quartile")
Trine	Astrological aspect	120° angle
Sesquiquadrate	Astrological aspect [if used]	135° angle (also known as the "sesquisquare," "square-and-a-half," and/or "trioctile")
Biquintile	Astrological aspect [if used]	144° angle
Quincunx	Astrological aspect [if used]	150° angle (also known as the "inconjunct")
Opposition	Astrological aspect	180° angle
Retrograde motion	Retrograde and direct motion	Symbol represents the apparent retrograde motion of a planet in an astrological chart
Comet	Comet-s [if used]	Different comets often use different symbols, but the use of comets is not widespread in mainstream astrology
1 Ceres	Asteroid [if used]	One of multiple historical variants, different symbols are sometimes used; also, not all astrologers use the asteroids -- their usage is not very widespread in mainstream astrology (see Asteroids in astrology)
2 Pallas	Asteroid [if used]	(variant has triangle on top) Alchemical symbol for sulfur (both variants)
3 Juno	Asteroid [if used]
4 Vesta	Asteroid [if used]
2060 Chiron	Planetoid [if used]
Lot of fortune	Lot
Eris no symbol yet defined
	Eye of Providence (proposed) [if used]
	Hand of Eris (proposed) [if used]
	(proposed) [used in Poland]

Main article: Jyotisha

Main article: Navagraha

Sanskrit Name	English Name	Abbreviation	Gender	Guna	Represents
Surya (सूर्य)	Sun	Sy or Su	M	Sattva	Soul, king, highly placed persons, father.
Chandra (चंद्र)	Moon	Ch or Mo	F	Sattva	Mind, queen, mother.
Mangala (मंगल)	Mars	Ma	M	Tamas	energetic action, confidence and ego
Budha (बुध)	Mercury	Bu or Me	N	Rajas	Communication
Brihaspati (बृहस्पति)	Jupiter	Gu or Ju	M	Sattva	the great teacher
Shukra (शुक्र)	Venus	Sk or Ve	F	Rajas	wealth, pleasure and reproduction
Shani (शनि)	Saturn	Sa	F	Tamas	learning the hard way. Career and Longevity
Rahu (राहु)	Head of Demon Snake Ascending/North Lunar Node	Ra	F	Tamas	a Asura who does his best to plunge any area of one's life he controls into chaos
Ketu (केतु)	Tail of Demon Snake Descending/South Lunar Node	Ke	M	Tamas	supernatural influences

Earthly Branches: The 24 cardinal directions in Chinese astrology

Name	Alternative	Symbol	Earthly Branch
Rat	Mouse	鼠	子
Ox	Cow	牛	丑
Tiger		虎	寅
Rabbit	Hare or Cat	兔	卯
Dragon		龍	辰
Snake		蛇	巳
Horse		馬	午
Sheep	Ram or Goat	羊	未
Monkey		猴	申
Rooster	Chicken, Phoenix, or Cock	雞	酉
Dog		狗	戌
Pig	Boar	豬	亥

Main article: Chinese elements

Element	Planet	Symbol	Yin	Yang
Wood	Jupiter	木	乙	甲
Fire	Mars	火	丁	丙
Earth	Saturn	土	己	戊
Metal	Venus	金	辛	庚
Water	Mercury	水	癸	壬

Main article: Astrology and the classical elements

Main article: Classical elements

The Four Classical Elements of Astrology

v • d • e Western Zodiac
Elements	Fire - Earth - Air - Water
Qualities	Cardinal · Fixed · Mutable
Signs	Aries · Taurus · Gemini · Cancer · Leo · Virgo · Libra · Scorpio · Sagittarius · Capricorn · Aquarius · Pisces