What Your Sun Sign Reveals About Who You Really Are, According To Astrology
The Sun is the reason behind your actions.
Alena Ozerova / Shutterstock Sun signs are what most people think of when we refer to zodiac signs. Even people with no interest in astrology are likely to know their Sun sign, but this isn't the only aspect of your unique personal birth chart.
At the exact moment you were born, the Sun and the Moon, and each of the planets and constellations, were in unique positions — known as placements — in the sky. These placements are mapped in your natal chart, and each has a different meaning related to particular aspects of who you are.
In astrology, the Sun is the source of light of vitality, hope, romance, and love for all zodiac signs. Because of this, your Sun sign dictates your purpose in life, illuminating your path and shining down on who you aspire to be.
Sun Sign Meaning
Your Sun sign placement determines your strongest, most noticeable personality traits. Your Sun sign represents your conscious mind and life force, as the Sun itself is known as "the giver of life."
The Sun is your ego as well as your point of reason when making decisions. Just as you find your life purpose from looking at the Sun, your Sun sign provides the motivation driving your actions.
Overall, the Sun directs you on the path you should travel and represents your vitality as a person. And while it is the main sign in your birth chart, your chart contains other planetary placements that are important in your unique personality — your Moon sign, Rising or Ascendant sign, Mercury sign, Venus sign, Mars sign, Jupiter sign, and more.
How to Find Your Sun Sign
Your date of birth tells you what your Sun sign is.
Unlike finding your Moon and Rising signs, which rely on knowing both the location and exact time of birth, calculating your Sun sign is fairly straightforward — as in, you don't need a special Sun sign calculator to figure it out.
Each of the 12 Sun signs accounts for one-twelfth of the year and occupies 30 degrees of the Zodiac wheel, which equates to each zodiac sign reigning over about 30 days per year.
You can find your Sun sign by looking at which zodiac sign corresponds with your birthday as linked to its corresponding zodiac sign.
While you cannot have two Sun signs, you can be born on a zodiac cusp, which gives a person traits from two Sun signs; however, only one Sun sign is assigned. (For example, those born on March 20th are on the Pisces-Aries cusp.)
Sun Sign Dates
Aries: March 21 - April 19
Taurus: April 20 - May 20
Gemini: May 21 - June 20
Cancer: June 21 - July 22
Leo: July 23 - August 22
Virgo: August 23 - September 22
Libra: September 23 - October 22
Scorpio: October 23 - November 21
Sagittarius: November 22 - December 21
Capricorn: December 22 - January 19
Aquarius: January 20 - February 18
Pisces: February 19 - March 10
Sun Sign Traits
Sun in Aries
The Sun is exalted in Aries, meaning it has a strong position in your sign. Symbolized by the Ram, you dive head-first into situations in order to achieve your goals.
People with an Aries Sun tend to be straightforward, direct, and uncomplicated. You are energetic and don't like long emotionally tiring situations, although you do enjoy chasing a challenge and the adventure of finding your place in life.
Sun in Taurus
Just as a Bull's horns are known for pushing against anything challenging, the Sun in Taurus resists change at all costs. A Taurus Sun likes for things to run smoothly and without diversion. You work hard, with a steadiness that is dependable.
The Sun in Taurus in your natal chart means you're good at making money and would be excellent at advising others on how to live their best life.
Sun in Gemini
A Gemini Sun is represented by the celestial Twins. You are filled with curiosity and overcome by the need for constant stimulation as if there are two souls within you. It may sometimes feel like you need to live a double life in order to do everything you desire.
If your Sun is in Gemini, you have the desire to express yourself more than others. You are curious about all things, not only learning new information but also sharing it. You can adapt to any situation you find yourself in, and you have the capacity to stay objective while also enjoying the lighter side of life.
Sun in Cancer
A Cancer Sun has a strong survival instinct. Cancer is a Cardinal Water sign, giving you a strong ability to navigate and swim through both emotional and material realms.
Symbolized by the Crab, you have a hard exterior but carry soft emotions within. This symbol is also linked to divine feminine energy since you have strong maternal instincts.
You have a well-earned reputation for being moody and don't like change, as people with their Sun in Cancer like the security and safety of what they know.
Sun in Leo
The Sun is Leo's planetary ruler. People born under this sign of the Zodiac are full of passion, intensity, and drive, but may also be prone to sparks of false confidence or arrogance. In other words, Leos have to keep themselves in check, or other signs might do it for them.
Represented by the Lion, when you have a Leo Sun in your natal chart, you are prideful and dignified. Hopefully, this is in a good way, but it can also be negative if your ego gets the better of you.
As a Fire sign, a Sun in Leo has a strong personality. You may be a bit conceited and have big dreams for your life, but it's important to note that you usually have good intentions and that you are extremely loyal.
Sun in Virgo
People born under a Virgo Sun tend to be uncomfortable in the limelight. As an Earth sign, you prefer to stay grounded and focused on tangible tasks, and you have a strong knack for introspection and analysis.
You may feel like you have a strong sense of responsibility, causing you to overanalyze things often. You may experience bouts of hypochondria.
On the positive side, you can always be counted on to make good on your promises, and you are a true master of all things related to organization and analysis.
Sun in Libra
Like the Scales in your symbol, you are a harmonious, balanced Sun sign. Libra is social and intellectual while also being peace-loving. You want to know the truth and that there is background information to make claims credible.
While you may enjoy peace, you can easily cause chaos and inquietude when you want. A Libra Sun can be a bit sinister at times. Sometimes your need for balance causes indecision, which can be even more chaotic.
Sun in Scorpio
Scorpio Suns are intense. Many mistakenly confuse you for a Fire sign due to your intense passion, but you are actually a Water sign, pulling strength from the emotional and intuitive realm.
The tail on your glyph is an ode to your Scorpion's stinger, and represents the emphasis you place on being guarded and distant. You are determined and you throw everything you have into whatever you are trying to do.
You have your own mind, are driven by power, and you never, ever give up.
Sun in Sagittarius
Sagittarius is always on the go. A Sagittarius Sun is often restless, friendly, and cheerful, while also being overly trusting.
Sagittarius is symbolized by the Archer, which is fitting considering how much you love shooting off into adventures. You are easy-going but with a quick temper, and you have a strong desire to escape during hard times.
Sun in Capricorn
Capricorn Suns are realistic and grounded. You know how to do things and accomplish your goals.
You have figured out how to make people laugh and are dependable. You are ambitious, which is an important quality for Sun signs given that the Sun rules our aspirations.
Your symbol of the Sea Goat reflects your complexities. The Sea Goat head combined with a fish-like tail reflects your dualities: you are simultaneously cold and caring, passionate and practical.
Sun in Aquarius
An Aquarius Sun is often unwilling to follow any preset path. You can easily free yourself from social constructs and do something new and are more likely to take the path less traveled than a safer option.
You might be an Air sign, but your symbol is the Water Bearer, reflected by waves in your glyph. This is symbolic of your free-flowing communicative style and your ability to flow between places and states. You need space and freedom to succeed.
Sun in Pisces
A Pisces Sun has the ability to identify with people from all over the world, as well as with people whose lives are altogether different than your own. You are deeply emotional and intuitive, as well as compassionate and trustworthy.
Symbolized by two fish swimming in opposite directions, you may feel like you are straddling your ideal world and the real one at the same time, but Sun in Pisces can use their idealizations to achieve real goals. You spend a lot of time looking for answers and are sensitive to all types of situations.
The Sun's Glyph
The Sun, Moon, and other planets and astrological signs are each represented by a glyph (a hieroglyphic character or symbol). The Sun's astrology symbol is a circle with a dot in the middle, as shown below:
Photo: NalesnikLD / Wikimedia Commons
Where a cross symbolizes effort, as seen in Mercury's glyph, or a half-circle that symbolizes development, like in the Moon's glyph, the full circle of the Sun's glyph represents the cycle of life.
The circle is symbolic of life, while the dot in the middle represents the Sun as being at the center of everything, therefore dictating key aspects of your identity.
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Emily Francos is a writer who covers astrology, pop culture and relationship topics. For more of her content, follow her on Facebook.