Zodiac

Zodiac
Zodiac in a 6th century synagogue at Beit Alpha, Israel.The zodiac is the belt or band of constellations through which the Sun, Moon, and planets transit across the sky.

Astrologers noted these constellations and so attached a particular significance to them. Over time they developed the system of twelve signs of the zodiac (Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces), based on twelve of the constellations they considered to be particularly important.

The Western and Vedic zodiac signs have a common origin in the tradition of horoscopic astrology, and so are very similar in meaning. In China on the other hand, the development of the zodiac was different.

Although the Chinese too have a system of twelve signs (named after animals), the Chinese zodiac refers to a pure calendrical cycle, as there are no equivalent constellations linked to it like the Western or Indian zodiacs.

The common choice of twelve zodiac signs is understandable considering the interaction of the Sun and Moon was central to all forms of astrology.