concept
Greek
Zodiac
lit. “circle of little animals”
The twelve-sign framework of Western astrology — Aries through Pisces.
Origin
The zodiac is a band of sky along the ecliptic divided into twelve 30° segments, each historically associated with a constellation. The Babylonians formalized the system around 1000 BCE; the Greeks and Hellenistic astrologers shaped the version still used in the West. Each sign is paired with personality archetypes that have only loosened their grip in the internet age.
Modern usage
Lives a double life — taken seriously by believers, and used as a personality shorthand by everyone else ('he's so Capricorn about it'). The signs themselves are now stock characters in memes.
Tags
framework
signs