By Meghan Proctor ’16

Many cultures around the world use different zodiac signs and studies of astrology. However, the one most recognized by Americans today, with various constellations representing when in the year a person was born, originated over 3,000 years ago. The Babylonians, who created this system, chose these signs to correspond with the constellations that the Sun appears to pass through as the Earth revolves around the Sun throughout the year. The zodiac was originally used as a way of dividing the sky into equal sections to better understand the Earth’s revolution around the Sun. These signs also have astrological purposes, connecting each sign with different planets and other celestial bodies to determine horoscopes. Although the zodiac signs are not entirely accurate with their respective constellations. The Sun does not pass through each constellation for equal lengths of time, despite the Babylonians assigning each sign the same amount of time, leaving many people with a sign that may not match the constellation that the Sun was in front of when they were born. In addition, the Sun also aligns with an additional constellation, Ophiuchus, which is not included with the zodiac signs.

Despite their inaccuracies, the zodiac managed to stand the test of time, as they are widely recognized today, comparing personality traits to the people born under those specific time frames.