Zodiac

The zodiac is an annulus (ring) consisting of twelve 30° divisions in celestial longitude that are centered upon the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the sky over the course of the year. The term "zodiac" is derived from Latin zōdiacus, which in turn comes from the Greek zōdiakós kyklos, meaning "circle of animals". In Hebrew, the zodiac is known as mazalot (מזלות). The divisions are called signs, and in both astrology and astronomy, the zodiac's ecliptic coordinates are used to map the apparent positions of stars and planets at any time. The zodiac was in use by civilizations before the 4th century BCE, keeping track of changes in the sky throughout the year. The path of the zodiac is divided into twelve signs, each occupying 30° of celestial longitude and roughly corresponding to the constellations Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. In astrology, the zodiac is a central concept, with each sign being associated with specific personality traits and other characteristics. The zodiac is also important in various cultural and religious traditions, including those of the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks. In Chinese, the zodiac is translated as Shengxiao (生肖), while in Arabic, it is known as Burj (برج).