Aries

A symbolic representation of Aries.

Aries (♈) /ˈɛəriːz/ (meaning "ram") is the first astrological sign in the Zodiac, spanning the first 30 degrees of celestial longitude (0°≤ λ <30º). Under the tropical zodiac, the Sun transits this sign between March 21 and April 21 each year. This time duration is exactly the first month of Solar Hejri calendar (Farvardin). Under the sidereal zodiac, the sun currently transits Aries from 15 April to 15 May (approximately). The symbol of the ram is based on the Chrysomallus, the flying ram that provided the Golden Fleece.[1]

According to the Tropical system of astrology, the Sun enters the sign of Aries when it reaches the northern vernal equinox, which occurs around March 21. Because the Earth takes approximately 365.25 days to go around the Sun, the precise time of the equinox is not the same each year, and generally will occur about 6 hours later each year, with a jump of a day (backwards) on leap years. Since 1900 the vernal equinox date ranged from March 20 at 08h (2000) to April 21 at 19h (1903) (all times UTC).[2]

Individuals born during these dates, depending on which system of astrology they subscribe to, may be called Arians or Ariens.[3]

As of 2002, the Sun resides in the constellation Aries from April 18 to May 13 as it moves through the ecliptic. In tropical astrology, the Sun is considered to be in the sign Aries from March 21 to April 20, and in sidereal astrology, from April 15 to May 15.

References

  1. ^ http://www.theoi.com/Ther/KriosKhrysomallos.html
  2. ^ Greenwich, Royal Observatory. "Equinoxes and solstices". ROG learning team. Retrieved 4 December 2012. 
  3. ^ Oxford Dictionaries. "Arian". Definition. Retrieved on: 17 August 2011.