Leo (♌︎) (Ancient Greek: Λέων, romanized: Léōn, Latin for "lion") is the fifth sign of the zodiac. It corresponds to the constellation Leo and comes after Cancer and before Virgo. The traditional Western zodiac associates Leo with the period between about July 23 and August 22,[2] and the sign spans the 120th to 150th degree of celestial longitude.
| Leo | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
 | |
| Zodiac symbol | Lion |
| Duration (tropical, western) | July 22 – August 22 (2024, UT1)[1] |
| Constellation | Leo |
| Zodiac element | Fire |
| Zodiac quality | Fixed |
| Sign ruler | Sun |
| Detriment | Saturn and Uranus |
| Exaltation | Pluto (in modern astrology) |
| Fall | Neptune (in modern astrology) |
            | |
Leo is associated with fire, accompanied by Aries and Sagittarius, and its modality is fixed. The constellation Leo is associated with the mythological Nemean lion.[3] The lion is a very important and prominent symbol in Greek mythology.[2][4]
History
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Egyptians worshipped the constellation, which they referred to as "Knem", because it was present during the flooding of the Nile River. This event signified plentiful harvests for the upcoming year, and the people interpreted it as a gift from the earth. Ruler of Egypt, Tutankhamun's gold throne features lion heads where the seat and front legs meet, as well as clawed feet at the end of each leg, symbolizing power and royalty.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Astronomical Applications Department 2011.
- ^ a b britannica 2023.
- ^ Atsma, Aaron J. "Nemean Lion". The Theoi Project: Greek mythology. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
- ^ nemean 2012.
- ^ Snodgrass, E (1997). Signs of the Zodiac : A Reference Guide to Historical, Mythological, and Cultural Associations. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313008177.
Sources
edit- Astronomical Applications Department (2011). Multiyear Computer Interactive Almanac. 2.2.2. Washington DC: US Naval Observatory. Longitude of Sun, apparent geocentric ecliptic of date, interpolated to find time of crossing 0°, 30°....
- "Leo". Britannica. August 11, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- "Myth about Heraclese and the Nemean Lion". Windows to the Universe. Arlington, Virginia: National Science Teachers Association. 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
External links
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The dictionary definition of Leo at Wiktionary
Media related to Leo at Wikimedia Commons- Warburg Institute Iconographic Database (ca 370 medieval and early modern images of Leo)
