Over the years, many of my clients arrive at a consultation having done some preliminary self-research. They often know their Western zodiac sign — Scorpio, Libra, perhaps Aries — and wonder whether it aligns with what classical Chinese astrology reveals about their destiny.
As a practitioner of classical 風水 (fēngshui) and 八字 (bāzì) for more than two decades, I work primarily within the Chinese metaphysical tradition. Yet I believe that understanding both systems deepens self-awareness, and I am frequently asked: “What zodiac sign am I, exactly?” — particularly by those born near the boundary between two signs.
This guide answers that question clearly. Below you will find a complete chart of all twelve Western zodiac signs by month and date, along with key traits for each sign and a brief note on how the Western zodiac differs from the Chinese lunar calendar system we use in 八字 analysis.
The 12 Zodiac Signs: Complete Date Chart
The Western zodiac divides the year into twelve segments based on the position of the Sun at the moment of your birth. Each segment corresponds to a roughly 30-day period. The table below covers every sign along with its symbol and exact date range.
| Zodiac Sign | Symbol | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Aries | ♈ Ram | 21 March – 19 April |
| Taurus | ♉ Bull | 20 April – 20 May |
| Gemini | ♊ Twins | 21 May – 20 June |
| Cancer | ♋ Crab | 21 June – 22 July |
| Leo | ♌ Lion | 23 July – 22 August |
| Virgo | ♍ Maiden | 23 August – 22 September |
| Libra | ♎ Scales | 23 September – 22 October |
| Scorpio | ♏ Scorpion | 23 October – 21 November |
| Sagittarius | ♐ Archer | 22 November – 21 December |
| Capricorn | ♑ Sea-goat | 22 December – 19 January |
| Aquarius | ♒ Water-bearer | 20 January – 18 February |
| Pisces | ♓ Fish | 19 February – 20 March |
The exact cusp dates shift by one day in some years due to the leap-year cycle. If you were born on a cusp date — say, 20 April or 22 September — verify the precise solar longitude for your birth year to confirm which sign is yours.
A Sign-by-Sign Overview
Aries (21 March – 19 April)
Aries opens the astrological year at the spring equinox. Those born under this fire sign are associated with initiative, courage, and a pioneering spirit. The ruling planet is Mars, and Aries individuals tend to act first and deliberate later — which can be a strength or a liability depending on context.
Taurus (20 April – 20 May)
An earth sign ruled by Venus, Taurus is associated with patience, sensory appreciation, and a strong connection to material security. Taureans are often described as steadfast and practical, with a particular affinity for comfort and beauty.
Gemini (21 May – 20 June)
Mercury-ruled Gemini is an air sign linked to communication, curiosity, and adaptability. Gemini individuals tend to be intellectually restless, often pursuing multiple interests simultaneously and thriving in environments that offer variety.
Cancer (21 June – 22 July)
The Moon governs Cancer, a water sign associated with nurturing instincts, emotional depth, and a strong attachment to home and family — themes that resonate with the Chinese concept of ancestral harmony and the primacy of 家 (jiā, the household) in classical thought.
Leo (23 July – 22 August)
Ruled by the Sun, Leo is a fire sign associated with leadership, creative expression, and magnanimity. In classical Chinese cosmology, fire energy (火 huǒ) similarly represents brilliance, outward expression, and the capacity to inspire those around you.
Virgo (23 August – 22 September)
Virgo is an earth sign under Mercury, associated with analytical precision, service, and a discerning eye for detail. Virgo energy expresses itself through careful, methodical work — a quality I recognise in many of my most diligent clients.
Libra (23 September – 22 October)
Libra, an air sign ruled by Venus, is associated with balance, diplomacy, and aesthetic sensibility. The scales symbol reflects a deep desire for harmony — a value central to 風水 (fēngshui) philosophy, where the entire practice rests on achieving equilibrium between 陰 (yīn) and 陽 (yáng).
Scorpio (23 October – 21 November)
Ruled by Mars and Pluto, Scorpio is a water sign associated with intensity, transformation, and perceptiveness. Scorpios are often drawn to hidden dimensions and are natural investigators — qualities that make them thoughtful students of metaphysical traditions.
Sagittarius (22 November – 21 December)
Jupiter rules Sagittarius, a fire sign linked to philosophical inquiry, optimism, and the desire for expansion. Sagittarians are often drawn to travel, higher learning, and broad horizons, and they frequently find their way to classical disciplines precisely because of that restless search for meaning.
Capricorn (22 December – 19 January)
Saturn-ruled Capricorn is an earth sign associated with discipline, ambition, and long-term thinking. In many ways, Capricorn energy mirrors the Confucian virtue of perseverance — the understanding that worthy goals require sustained effort across seasons and years.
Aquarius (20 January – 18 February)
An air sign co-ruled by Saturn and Uranus, Aquarius is associated with intellectual independence, humanitarianism, and innovation. Aquarians often think ahead of their time, and I have noticed they frequently embrace both ancient wisdom and modern science without perceiving any contradiction between the two.
Pisces (19 February – 20 March)
Pisces, a water sign ruled by Jupiter and Neptune, is associated with intuition, compassion, and spiritual sensitivity. Pisceans tend to be empathetic and creatively gifted, sometimes struggling to maintain firm boundaries in a demanding world.
How Western Zodiac Dates Differ from Chinese Astrology
This is where I must be candid with you, as both a scholar of Chinese metaphysics and someone who genuinely respects the curiosity that brings people to these questions.
The Western zodiac is a solar system: your sign is determined purely by the Sun’s position at the moment of your birth. It changes by month and date, remaining constant from year to year (with minor cusp variations). Because it depends on a single variable — the Sun — it produces twelve broad archetypes. These can be illuminating, but they cannot capture the full complexity of an individual.
Classical Chinese astrology operates on a fundamentally different framework. In 八字 (bāzì) — literally “eight characters” — your birth year, month, day, and hour each yield a pair of Heavenly Stems (天干 tiāngān) and Earthly Branches (地支 dìzhī), drawn from a sixty-year cycle. The resulting chart is vastly more nuanced than a single Sun sign, capturing the interplay of 木 (mù, Wood), 火 (huǒ, Fire), 土 (tǔ, Earth), 金 (jīn, Metal), and 水 (shuǐ, Water) across all four pillars.
One critical difference: the Chinese system considers the 時辰 (shíchen) — the two-hour birth-hour segment — which Western astrology addresses only through the rising sign. This added dimension allows 八字 to identify very specific patterns in personality, health, wealth, and relationship potential that a Sun sign simply cannot reveal.
Knowing your Western zodiac sign is an accessible entry point into self-reflection. For a truly precise understanding of your inherent strengths, challenges, and timing cycles, however, a classical 八字 reading offers a far greater depth of insight.
Discover Your Full Destiny Blueprint
If you wish to go beyond your Sun sign and understand the deeper patterns governing your life, I invite you to explore our BaZi calculator as an introduction to the four-pillar system. Those seeking a personalised reading may book a feng shui and BaZi consultation, where I analyse the complete 八字 chart in conjunction with the 風水 of your living or working environment.
You may also find it useful to read my guide on the Chinese zodiac, which explains how the twelve animals of the lunar calendar — often confused with Western signs — carry their own rich symbolic meanings in the Chinese metaphysical tradition.
