The 12 Zodiac Signs in Latin: Names, Meanings, and Myths

Every zodiac sign you know already has a Latin name — in fact, the English names are the Latin ones. Aries, Leo, Virgo: these are the words Roman astronomers used two thousand years ago, and we never translated them. Even the word zodiac is Latin (zōdiacus), borrowed from a Greek phrase meaning “circle of animals.” So learning the zodiac signs in Latin isn’t really translation — it’s uncovering what your sign’s name literally means and the myth the Romans attached to it. Below you’ll find all twelve signs with their Latin spelling, pronunciation, literal meaning, genitive form (the version you’ll want for a tattoo), the dates, and the story behind each name.

Quick reference: the zodiac signs in Latin

How to pronounce the Latin zodiac signs

Latin has two living pronunciation traditions, and they differ enough to matter. Classical Latin — how Cicero would have spoken — keeps every c hard, turns v into a w, and pronounces g hard. Ecclesiastical (Church) Latin, still heard in the Vatican and in choral music, softens c and g before e and i and pronounces v as in English. A few signs shift noticeably between the two:

• Cancer — KAHN-ker (classical) / KAHN-cher (church)
• Gemini — GEH-mih-nee (classical) / JEH-mee-nee (church)
• Virgo — WEER-goh (classical) / VEER-goh (church)
• Pisces — PIS-kehs (classical) / PEE-shehs (church)

The table above leans classical. Either tradition is “correct” — choose the one that fits your purpose.

Aries — the Ram (Arietis)

Pronounced AH-ree-ehs, Aries simply means “the ram,” with the genitive form Arietis. The Romans inherited the sign from the Greek tale of the golden-fleeced ram sent by the gods to carry the endangered children Phrixus and Helle to safety; that fleece later became the prize that launched Jason and the Argonauts. As the first sign of the zodiac and the one ruled by Mars, Aries carries a headfirst, pioneering energy — the impulse to charge ahead and begin. See what that drive means for the sign in the full Aries guide.

Taurus — the Bull (Tauri)

TOW-rus. Taurus means “the bull” (genitive Tauri). In myth it is the white bull Zeus became to carry the princess Europa across the sea to Crete — a story of beauty, desire, and quiet power. The bright orange star Aldebaran, Alpha Tauri, marks the bull’s eye; its name means “the follower.” Ruled by Venus, Taurus is the zodiac’s anchor: patient, sensual, and devoted to comfort and permanence. Read the full Taurus guide.

Gemini — the Twins (Geminorum)

GEH-mih-nee. Gemini is the plural of geminus, “twin-born,” and its genitive is Geminorum. The twins are Castor and Pollux — one mortal, one the immortal son of Zeus. When Castor died, Pollux begged to share his own immortality rather than be parted, so Zeus set them in the sky together; their names still mark the constellation’s two brightest stars. Ruled by Mercury, Gemini lives in that duality: two minds, restless curiosity, and a gift for words. Explore the Gemini guide.

Cancer — the Crab (Cancri)

KAHN-ker. Cancer means “the crab” (genitive Cancri). Its myth is a small, stubborn one: while Heracles battled the many-headed Hydra, the goddess Hera sent a crab to nip at his heels. He crushed it — but Hera, honoring its loyalty, set it among the stars. Ruled by the Moon, Cancer keeps that protective, tenacious spirit, holding fast to home, family, and the people it loves. See the full Cancer guide.

Leo — the Lion (Leonis)

LEH-oh. Leo means “the lion” (genitive Leonis). It is the Nemean Lion of Heracles’ first labour — a beast whose golden hide no weapon could pierce, which the hero finally strangled and then wore as armour. The constellation’s heart is Regulus, Alpha Leonis, “the little king.” Ruled by the Sun, Leo radiates a royal, generous, center-of-the-room warmth. Read the Leo guide.

Virgo — the Maiden (Virginis)

WEER-goh. Virgo means “the maiden” or “virgin” (genitive Virginis). She is most often Astraea, goddess of justice and innocence, who lived among mortals in the Golden Age and was the last immortal to abandon the earth as humanity fell into strife. Her brightest star, Spica, means “ear of grain” — a nod to the harvest. Ruled by Mercury, Virgo is precise, discerning, and quietly devoted to doing things well. Explore the Virgo guide.

Libra — the Scales (Librae)

LEE-brah. Libra means “the scales” or “balance” — a libra was a Roman unit of weight (genitive Librae). It is the only zodiac sign represented by an object rather than a living creature: the scales of justice held by Astraea, the maiden of the neighbouring sign. In fact, Libra’s stars were once counted as the claws of the Scorpion — their names, Zubenelgenubi and Zubeneschamali, still mean “southern claw” and “northern claw.” Ruled by Venus, Libra seeks harmony, fairness, and beauty in every relationship. Read the Libra guide.

Scorpio — the Scorpion (Scorpii)

SKOR-pee-us (the sign is usually written Scorpio, SKOR-pee-oh). The constellation Scorpius and the sign Scorpio both mean “the scorpion” (genitive Scorpii). In myth this is the scorpion that killed the great hunter Orion — and the two were placed on opposite sides of the sky, so that Scorpius climbs into view only as Orion sets. Its red heart-star Antares means “rival of Ares,” the war-god. Ruled by Mars (and, in modern astrology, Pluto), Scorpio is intensity itself: depth, secrecy, and the power to transform. See the full Scorpio guide.

Sagittarius — the Archer (Sagittarii)

sah-gih-TAH-ree-us. Sagittarius means “the archer,” from sagitta, “arrow” (genitive Sagittarii). The figure is a centaur drawing a bow, often linked to Chiron, the wise and gentle healer who taught the heroes of Greece; his arrow points toward the very centre of our galaxy. Ruled by Jupiter, Sagittarius is the zodiac’s seeker: restless, philosophical, and always aimed at some far horizon. Explore the Sagittarius guide.

Capricorn — the Sea-Goat (Capricorni)

kah-prih-KOR-nus. The Latin is Capricornus, “goat-horned,” from caper (goat) and cornu (horn); the genitive is Capricorni. Stranger than the name suggests, the sign is a sea-goat — half goat, half fish. The story ties to Pan, who dived into the Nile to escape the monster Typhon and surfaced part-fish, part-goat. Ruled by Saturn, Capricorn embodies patient ambition: the long, disciplined climb toward mastery. Read the Capricorn guide.

Aquarius — the Water-Bearer (Aquarii)

ah-KWAH-ree-us. Aquarius means “the water-bearer,” from aqua, “water” (genitive Aquarii). The figure is Ganymede, a Trojan youth so admired that Zeus carried him to Olympus to serve as cupbearer to the gods, forever pouring water from the heavens. Ruled by Saturn (and, in modern astrology, Uranus), Aquarius pairs that role of giver with a visionary, independent streak — the humanitarian thinking a step ahead of everyone else. See the Aquarius guide.

Pisces — the Fishes (Piscium)

PIS-kehs. Pisces is the plural of piscis, “fish” (genitive Piscium). The two fish are Aphrodite and her son Eros, who turned into fish to escape the monster Typhon and tied themselves together with a cord so they would not be separated in the water — the star Alrescha, “the cord,” marks the knot. Ruled by Jupiter (and, in modern astrology, Neptune), Pisces is the zodiac’s dreamer: intuitive, compassionate, and endlessly imaginative. Explore the Pisces guide.

How to write your zodiac sign in Latin (for tattoos and more)

Because the sign names are already Latin, writing yours is simple — but there’s a choice worth understanding. The plain name is the nominative: Leo. “Of the Lion” is the genitive: Leōnis. The genitive is what appears in real star names (Alpha Leōnis, Alpha Scorpiī) and in the phrase most people actually want inked:

sub signō [genitive] — “under the sign of…”

• Aries → sub signo Arietis
• Taurus → sub signo Tauri
• Gemini → sub signo Geminorum
• Cancer → sub signo Cancri
• Leo → sub signo Leonis
• Virgo → sub signo Virginis
• Libra → sub signo Librae
• Scorpio → sub signo Scorpii
• Sagittarius → sub signo Sagittarii
• Capricorn → sub signo Capricorni
• Aquarius → sub signo Aquarii
• Pisces → sub signo Piscium

A few other Latin star words worth knowing: stella (star), astrum (star or constellation), sōl (sun), lūna (moon), caelum (the heavens), and astrologia (astrology).

Frequently asked questions

Curious how your sign looks in other languages? See the same twelve signs in French and Arabic, or browse the whole set on our zodiac languages hub.