Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac and covers people born roughly between 20 January and 18 February. These facts about Aquarius zodiac sign cover its symbol, ruling planets, Greek myth, the real constellation in the sky and the personality traits astrology links with Aquarians, from independence to overthinking.
A quick note before the list: astrology is a cultural tradition, not a science. The personality traits below are what astrologers describe, so read them for fun and see which ones fit you.
Aquarius zodiac sign: quick facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates (Western) | About 20 January to 18 February |
| Position | Eleventh sign |
| Element | Air |
| Modality | Fixed |
| Ruling planet | Saturn (traditional), Uranus (modern) |
| Vedic name | Kumbha Rashi, ruled by Shani |
| Symbol | The water-bearer |
| Opposite sign | Leo |
Basics, myth and history of Aquarius
1. It covers late January to mid-February
In Western (tropical) astrology, Aquarius covers people born roughly between 20 January and 18 February. The exact cut-off can shift by a day from year to year, depending on when the Sun enters the sign.
2. It is the eleventh sign, not the twelfth
Aquarius is the eleventh sign of the zodiac. It comes after Capricorn and before Pisces, which closes the cycle. Some older write-ups get this wrong.
3. It is an air sign
Aquarius is one of three air signs, along with Gemini and Libra. Air signs are linked with ideas, talk and social connection rather than raw emotion.
4. It is a fixed sign
In terms of modality, Aquarius is fixed. Fixed signs are said to be steady and stubborn, which explains the Aquarian habit of holding on to an opinion once formed.
5. The symbol is the water-bearer
The name is Latin for water-bearer, from the Greek Hydrokhoos. The glyph shows two wavy lines, which many read as water or energy in motion.
6. Its opposite sign is Leo
Every sign has an opposite. For Aquarius it is Leo. Astrologers describe the pair as group versus self: Aquarius thinks about the crowd, Leo about personal spotlight.
7. Saturn and Uranus both rule it
Traditional astrology gives Aquarius to Saturn, the planet of rules and discipline. Modern astrology assigns it Uranus, linked with sudden change, invention and independence.
8. In Vedic astrology it is Kumbha
Indian astrology calls the sign Kumbha Rashi, the water pot. Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, so Kumbha dates fall roughly a month later than Western Aquarius dates.
9. Shani is the Vedic ruler
In the Vedic system, Kumbha is ruled by Shani (Saturn). That is why many Indian astrologers link Kumbha natives with patience, hard work and slow, steady results.
10. The Ganymede myth
The best-known Greek story links Aquarius to Ganymede, a handsome young prince of Troy. Zeus, in the form of a large bird, carried him to Mount Olympus to serve as cupbearer to the gods.
11. Older roots are Babylonian
Long before the Greeks, Babylonian and Sumerian sky-watchers linked this part of the sky with Ea (Enki), a god who poured water. Egyptian tradition tied it to the flooding of the Nile.
12. It is a real constellation too
Aquarius is also a large constellation in the southern sky, close to Capricornus and Pisces. It is one of the oldest recorded constellations and was listed by Ptolemy in the second century.
Aquarius in the night sky
13. Its brightest star is Sadalsuud
The brightest star in the constellation is Beta Aquarii, known as Sadalsuud. The name comes from Arabic and is usually translated as luck of lucks.
14. It hosts the Helix Nebula
The constellation contains the Helix Nebula, one of the closest planetary nebulae to Earth. Photos of it often go viral online as the Eye of God.
15. TRAPPIST-1 sits in Aquarius
The TRAPPIST-1 system, a small star with seven Earth-sized planets announced by NASA in 2017, lies in the direction of Aquarius, around 40 light years away.
16. Two meteor showers come from it
The Eta Aquariids peak in early May and come from debris left by Halley’s Comet. The Delta Aquariids are best seen in late July.
17. The Age of Aquarius
The phrase refers to an astrological era linked to the slow wobble of Earth’s axis. It became a pop culture idea after the 1960s musical Hair and its hit song.
Personality facts about Aquarius zodiac sign
18. Aquarians are known for being curious
Astrology describes Aquarians as people who ask a lot of questions, read widely and like ideas that challenge the usual way of doing things.
19. They value independence
Freedom matters a lot to this sign. Aquarians are said to dislike being told what to do, and they often need personal space even in close relationships.
20. They think logically
Aquarians are said to lead with the head, not the heart. They prefer facts and reasons to emotional arguments, which can make them seem detached.
21. They care about fairness
A strong sense of justice is one of the most quoted Aquarian traits. Many are drawn to social causes, community work and debates about what is right.
22. They are inventive
Under Uranus, Aquarius is linked with original thinking and new technology. The sign is often called the inventor or rebel of the zodiac.
23. They have a dry sense of humour
Aquarians are known for sarcasm and offbeat jokes. Their humour can be sharp, and not everyone gets it the first time.
24. They guard their emotions
Opening up does not come easily. Aquarians are said to share feelings only with a few trusted people, and often after a long time.
25. They overthink
A busy mind has a downside. Aquarians are said to replay conversations and plans in their heads, which can lead to stress and delayed decisions.
26. They can be stubborn
Being a fixed sign, Aquarius can dig in once a view is formed. Friends often find it hard to change an Aquarian’s mind with pressure.
27. They make loyal friends
Aquarians tend to have wide friend circles. They are said to be loyal, helpful and happy to support friends without fuss.
28. Best matches, as per astrology
Astrologers usually pair Aquarius well with fellow air signs Gemini and Libra, and with fire signs Aries and Sagittarius. Taurus and Scorpio are seen as harder matches.
29. Lucky colour and stone
Electric blue is the colour most often linked with Aquarius. Amethyst is the birthstone commonly given for February, which covers most Aquarians.
30. Famous Aquarians
Well-known people born under Aquarius include Preity Zinta (31 January), Abhishek Bachchan (5 February), Jackie Shroff (1 February), Harry Styles (1 February) and Cristiano Ronaldo (5 February).
For more fun reads like this, browse our listicles section, and check our celebrity stories to see what your favourite Aquarian stars are up to.
Frequently asked questions
What are the dates for Aquarius?
In Western astrology, Aquarius runs from about 20 January to 18 February. In Vedic astrology, Kumbha Rashi falls roughly a month later because it uses the sidereal zodiac.
What is the ruling planet of Aquarius?
Traditional astrology gives Aquarius to Saturn. Modern Western astrology uses Uranus. In Vedic astrology, Kumbha is ruled by Shani, which is Saturn.
Is Aquarius a water sign?
No. Despite the water-bearer symbol, Aquarius is an air sign, along with Gemini and Libra. The water signs are Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.
Which signs are compatible with Aquarius?
Astrologers usually list Gemini, Libra, Aries and Sagittarius as good matches for Aquarius. Taurus and Scorpio are often described as more challenging pairings.
Sources: Wikipedia: Aquarius (astrology), Wikipedia: Aquarius (constellation), NASA: TRAPPIST-1.
