Egyptian Zodiac Signs

The Egyptian zodiac signs, also known as the Decans, are a time-keeping system used in ancient Egypt, predating the Babylonian zodiac by several centuries. Unlike the familiar 12-sign zodiac, the Egyptian system was based on 36 groups of stars, each consisting of 10 days, making up a 360-day year. These groups were later consolidated into 12 larger divisions, each associated with a specific deity or mythological figure. The Egyptian zodiac signs were used for both agricultural and religious purposes, helping to predict the annual flooding of the Nile and to determine the most auspicious times for various activities. The term "zodiac" in Hebrew is מעגל הזodia, and in Arabic, it is known as برج (birj). The Egyptian zodiac's influence can be seen in later astrological traditions, including those of Greece and Rome, where it contributed to the development of the more widely known 12-sign zodiac system.