10 Best (And Worst) Aquarius Traits
The very best (and absolute worst) traits of the Aquarius zodiac sign.
Igor_Filonenko, DAPA Images, Letters Maker, Monica Panjaitan’s Images via Canva There are aspects of your Sun sign that you love and feel proud of, and others you sort of wish you didn't have to be associated with.
But all zodiac signs possess a mix of positive and negative personality traits, and getting more in touch with yours can help you go a long way in terms of personal growth and development.
In astrology, Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the Zodiac. Aquarius shares several traits with their fellow Air signs, Libra and Gemini.
If your birthday falls between the dates of January 20 and February 18, you have an Aquarius Sun sign!
What is an Aquarius?
- Dates: January 20 to February 18
- Symbol: Water Bearer
- Planet: Uranus
- Element: Air
- Modality: Fixed
- Colors: Blue, turquoise, white, violet
Represented by the symbol of the Water Bearer, Aquarians tend to be deep thinkers who love getting into the thick of problems and figuring things out. They are able to handle abstract problems like a pro because they are out-of-the-box thinkers.
Like the element of air itself, Aquarius is hard to pin down. Even when you think you've got them all figured out, they do or say something that proves you don't know really them at all.
Even though it can be hard to understand what makes an Aquarius tick, it's unlikely you'll ever doubt that their main goal in life is to make a difference and bring good to the world.
While their hot and cold attitude may drive you crazy, there's something about having an Aquarius in your life that makes everything seem better.
The Aquarius zodiac sign is ruled by the planet Uranus. Under Uranus, Aquarius gets their penchant for rebellion, as well as their urge to constantly explore new things.
The position of this planet also makes it easier to understand why Aquarius is so drawn to being an independent, forward-thinking person; Uranus is the planet of originality and freedom, after all. Therefore, Aquarius is very free-spirited.
Aquarius is a Fixed sign, along with Taurus, Leo, and Scorpio, meaning Aquarians are more likely to be introspective rather than outgoing, and also tend to be more stubborn and rooted in their beliefs.
Aquarius doesn't think in the same way as most other zodiac signs. This individuality and uniqueness are what often makes them seem weird or unusual to others.
But, above all, Aquarius is one of the friendliest zodiac signs and looks out for their friends and family.
Best Aquarius personality traits
Aquarius is all about their loved ones, meeting new people, and is probably the friendliest zodiac sign. Due to their own eccentric personality, Aquarius makes friends easily and welcomes all types of people with open arms.
Along with being friendly, Aquarians are intellectuals, incredibly creative, want to save the world, and thrive when they are independent.
Aquarius is most famous for their social justice activism, humanitarian causes, creativity, positive outlook on life, and the mystery that constantly surrounds them.
1. Positive
One of the best Aquarius traits is their willingness to see the best in you. They are the type of person to give you the benefit of the doubt in almost every situation because they truly believe you have the right answers inside of yourself, even if that means having to dig deep to find them.
Aquarius also believes in second chances, as long as you show them that you deserve one. They can smell dishonesty and manipulation from a mile away, though, so don’t ever take advantage of their kindness. If you do, they’ll make sure you regret it.
2. Courageous
Aquarius isn’t afraid to stand up for themselves. This sign is a lot of things, but one thing they definitely are not is a rug for others to walk on. Whether they're fighting for a cause they believe in or defending themselves in an argument, Aquarius is strong and never afraid to stand up for what is right.
Sure, Aquarius might get nervous during a confrontation, as most people do, but all of their jitters go away when the topic centers around something they're passionate about. Give them a reason to fight and they’ll show you that they never back down.
3. Intelligent
Aquarius has big brains and knows how to use them. They love learning and are always searching for new and interesting factoids to quench their thirst for knowledge. They also love teaching others, because it’s their way of bonding.
But while they're always keeping an eye out for interesting classes online or at the local community college, Aquarius isn’t only book-smart. And although it might sound cheesy, they love having those late-night, deep conversations that last for hours that you can only have with someone you’re really close with.
4. Creative
Aquarius sees the world differently. They can definitely be labeled right-brained individuals, considering how often they think outside of the box.
Their creative side isn't only apparent in their work, but also in the way they think. You won’t see Aquarius looking at things in a linear, logical fashion, but you will see them turning problems upside down in order to solve them.
Their genius in this way is inspiring. Aquarius wants to be known as the person who brings innovation and imagination to everything they do in life, and it's more likely than not that they will be.
5. Reliable
You can always lean on Aquarius and they make an amazing friend. Not only will they be there in a flash the moment you tell them you need a shoulder to cry on or a hand to hold, but they’ll stick by you through thick and thin if they love you.
Aquarius is a great listener, too. Whenever you have a problem or just want someone you can talk to, they're there to lend an ear. And if you need help finding your direction in life, Aquarius should be your go-to person because they're great at giving solid advice.
6. Independent
Aquarius can never be tied down. While it’s true Aquarius has a lot of close friends and loves meeting new people, you’ll have a hard time tying one down for good. They love their independence and need freedom to be happy.
Aquarius is a lone wolf who will always choose loving themselves over loving anyone else. It’s not a secret that Aquarius tends to be a bit detached. But while it may seem like they're being cold and don't want you around, that's only because they enjoy being on their own.
Worst Aquarius personality traits
Aquarius isn't without its downside. They can be sensitive and often protective of their opinions and ideas. While their ability to stand by their opinions is admirable, it can become frustrating for those around them.
Getting a handle on their emotions and learning to accept them is the biggest obstacle for them. Aquarius can only keep up a cool front for so long when things become too much to handle, and this often leads to a big blowup.
Their dark side isn't often called out, but this sign is no stranger to overthinking, having an "all or nothing" attitude, and losing themselves to anger occasionally.
7. Mysterious
The fact that Aquarius is a mystery might sound intriguing to some people, but, in reality, it will probably just mess with your head. Do they really like you, or are they just being nice? Are you still friends after that big fight, or do they now hate your guts?
You could ask all kinds of questions like these after an encounter with an Aquarius, but you won’t get many answers. Aquarius' aloofness makes it hard to tell if they're into you or if they want you to leave them alone. They probably seem both happy to see you and indifferent to your presence at the same time.
It's pretty much impossible to know what an Aquarius thinks about any person or situation of any kind. Confusing, right?
8. Extreme
Aquarius is an all-or-nothing type of thinker. For this sign, it's less about being ride-or-die and more about being somewhat of an extremist.
While it’s true that Aquarius never does anything halfway, they also tend to do and say things in order to prove a point. They're known for being quite rebellious, which often gets them into more trouble than they were expecting.
9. Temperamental
On the surface, Aquarius doesn’t seem like the type of person to lose their cool over nothing. They don't sweat the small stuff and tend to shrug off most encounters with people who try to make them mad.
That said, if you keep poking the bear (or water-bearer, that is), they will lash out, and it won’t be pretty. When Aquarius is provoked, their mostly-secret fiery temper will come out. What makes it worse is that Aquarius tends to bottle up anger until it’s too late — for you and for themselves.
10. Overthinker
The thoughtfulness of an Aquarius can get them into trouble. Aquarius is by no means an impulsive person. They tend to be thoughtful in everything they do. This is great, of course, but it can also lead them to get stuck in a rut of overthinking.
And when Aquarius overthinks things, they often lose out. When the time comes to move forward to gain something they know they've wanted for a long, long time, they can't help but pause to weigh the pros and cons — again — before finally making their move.
While this is a good quality in some situations, in others, it means waiting so long the opportunity disappears forever. Aquarius is also no stranger to buyer’s remorse. They need to learn how to find that happy middle ground, which we all know is oh-so-hard for them to do.
Tips for Relating to an Aquarius Personality
1. Give them attention.
To Aquarius, it's the little things that matter most. This zodiac sign cares about helping others but really just wants someone to ask them about their day. They can become incredibly stressed out, so be sure to invite them to spend time with you.
2. Don't restrict them.
You need to reassure them that you enjoy their company, but don't be too intense about it. Aquarius don't want to be held back from anything they do, so if you want to connect with them, do something simple like take them with you to go grocery shopping and let them chat your ear off while you inspect the produce aisle.
3. Intellectually stimulate Aquarius.
A great way to relate to Aquarius is to start up a conversation that teaches them something they don't know already. They're always learning, and seek out knowledge, so this is a great way to quench their thirst for information.
Best Aquarius Compatibility & Relationship Advice for Aquarius
Aquarius is most compatible with fellow Air signs Libra and Gemini, but also gets along well with Fire signs Aries and Sagittarius.
Who should an Aquarius marry?
Sagittarius is the best marriage match for Aquarius. Sagittarius shares their vibrant, cheery energy and will fully embrace the trademark quirkiness of Aquarius. Most importantly, Sagittarius also wants to make the world a better place.
Aquarius will appreciate and form a strong bond over their passion for social justice. With their love for people and acceptance of each other's friends, this couple will enjoy a rich social life. Both partners are always willing to try out new things, so their private time will never be boring.
Aquarius treasures independence and equality. Jealousy and possessiveness will never be an issue in this relationship because Aquarius understands the importance of time apart and the need to spread their independent wings every now and then.
These two signs will always come back to each other as no one else will ever share the eclectic bond they have. In all of astrology, Aquarius' relationship with Sagittarius will last the longest.
Libra and Aquarius
As Air signs, Libra and Aquarius tend to think alike and have similar paths and goals in life. For Aquarius, this a match made in heaven.
Both signs appreciate having an active social life and love being around people, especially if it means getting to meet someone new and interesting. Libra likes that Aquarius is a creative soul, while Aquarius is grateful that a Libra understands what’s going on in that unconventional brain of theirs.
Libra and Aquarius are smart, probing signs who know that relationships are all about communication, affection, and putting yourself in the other person’s shoes.
While both tend to make decisions based on their emotions and what they feel in their gut, neither are overbearing or irresponsible with their emotions. To some outsiders, this relationship may seem more like a serious partnership, but Aquarius and Libra know just how deep their love runs for each other.
Aquarius and Gemini
Gemini is almost perfect for an Aquarius. The two Air signs are sociable and intelligent, which makes for deep, philosophical conversations or debates. If it's a fiery debate an Aquarius is asking for, Gemini is most worthy of that call.
When it comes to small talk and tasks, though, it's a bit of a bore for them. On the creative side, both signs flourish in each other's presence. Having a little space in the relationship is something each sign needs because they both value independence.
And if things go wrong in this relationship, Aquarius and Gemini will probably still end up as friends due to their strong connection.
Aquarius and Aries
Aries is actually very similar to Aquarius. Both signs value independence, so they will still have their own life outside of a relationship. Rebelliousness and optimism are two traits these signs also share.
For Aquarius, they admire the spontaneity and carefree nature of Aries, and Aries adores Aquarius' free-spirited nature and forward-thinking. To top it all off, both zodiac signs are not extremely emotional, so jealousy won't be a problem and come between them.
Aquarius and Sagittarius
Because Aquarius and Sagittarius have a great deal in common, it should be no surprise that they get along very well. Both are dedicated to improving the quality of life around the world, are optimistic, value independence, and seek out adventure.
A relationship between them is based on fun and laughter, but has no shortage of intellectual, philosophical conversations.
The only thing potentially holding them back is the hesitance to commit. Sagittarius is free-spirited like Aquarius, and neither want to be held back, so it may take some time to decide on a future together. But they deeply understand one another and are free to be themselves.
Main Takeaways for the Aquarius Zodiac Sign
Innovative Aquarius is always thinking forward, making them the most scientific-minded sign of the Zodiac. As natural humanitarians, you can easily find an Aquarius spending their downtime doing something for the greater good.
Also a very influential sign, the wheels in their head are constantly turning. They enjoy using their advanced minds and creative visions, and tend to rely on science and technology to aid them.
Don't be surprised when Aquarius comes up with ideas that may seem a little unusual. They march to the beat of their own drum, and have no problem shaking up the status quo with their ideas.
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Emily Ratay is a full-time writer living in Pittsburgh who is passionate about the environment and feminism, and knows that anything is possible in the right pair of shoes.