Knowing your rising sign just might change everything you think you know about your zodiac and your personality.
Humans are complicated, and as much as we like to simplify our horoscopes, astrology can be quite complicated, too. To start, everyone knows their sun sign; if you were born between August 23 and September 22, for example, you’re a Virgo. But a detailed look at an individual’s birth chart actually reveals all 12 zodiac signs. It’s kind of like a DNA sequence (except, admittedly, much less scientific), and where each sign falls on your chart contributes to precisely who you are. Just as a certain combination of genetic material determines if your hair is blond or brown, an Aries sign in a particular area of your astrology chart can reveal something unique about you and even which other zodiac signs you’re most compatible with. That is exactly why an experienced astrologer will always provide you with your rising sign.
One important note: While your rising sign has to do with Western astrology, you may also want to check out your Chinese zodiac and zodiac element for an even more comprehensive picture of your personality and what 2021 has in store for you.
What is a rising sign?
While a person’s sun sign is determined by their date of birth, their rising sign is determined by the precise time they were born. Because there are 24 hours in a day and 12 zodiac signs, every two hours is ruled by a different rising (or ascendant) sign. So depending on the time of birth, as well as the location, the Virgo in our introduction could have a rising Scorpio, a rising Taurus, or any other rising sign in their chart. Learning what their rising sign is can help shed light on exactly what kind of Virgo they are. Something else that can help shed light on a sign’s personality? Their power color.
How do I find my rising sign, and what does it mean?
A detailed birth certificate will be able to tell you what time of day you were born. You can plug that information into an online calculator that will do all the hard work for you, or you can consult a professional like astrologer Emily Ridout. “It’s usually where I start astrology readings,” Ridout says of the ascendant sign, “because, more so than the sun sign, it actually describes who you are. The sun sign is the way that we can shine out the greatest. But the ascendant energy rules the first house, which rules how you know yourself.”
If the sun sign is who you are at the core, the rising sign represents how you see things and how other people see you. In other words, it’s how you convey your true self. For example, the ascendant sign can determine whether you’re a loud, confident Virgo or a quiet, shy Virgo. Knowing your rising sign is helpful when trying to figure out how to best navigate your life, and we’ve got a cheat sheet to make things even easier. While you’re at it, find out your luckiest (and unluckiest) months of the year, according to your zodiac sign.
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Aries
A cardinal fire sign, Aries is largely defined by action. This is someone who walks rather than talks. “They know who they are simply by the act of self-expression,” Ridout explains. “If they show up in a group environment where they’re meeting people at a social event or a work event, they are going to do well if they initiate or lead.” If left unchecked, however, people with Aries rising can become overbearing. “Instead of beneficially leading and directing,” she continues, “they might try to force others in the direction they want to go. Recognize where the balance is and let others take the lead sometimes.”
Taurus
A fixed earth sign, Taurus rules possession, beauty, and the richness of nature. According to Ridout, a successful Taurus rising is “confident and self-assured in a non-aggressive way. They know, ‘I have enough, I am enough.'” But when this sign flips out, the focus shifts to grasping for possession of other things—i.e., taking from others instead of building up their own life. It is always advantageous to know what is a rising sign’s strengths and weaknesses so you can counteract your less-than-desirable impulses.
Gemini
As a mutable air sign, Gemini enjoys movement and looking at issues from different perspectives. “In its best vibration,” Ridout says, “[Gemini] will be inquisitive and interested in the complexities of the mind. If it goes wrong, it can become incredibly ungrounded, which, externally projected, can manifest as gossip or excessive worry.” If you are a Gemini rising, make sure you put your constantly buzzing brain to work on something with substance and don’t get stuck on anything superficial. Find out where Gemini falls on the spectrum of trustworthy zodiac signs.
Cancer
Known as the homemaker of the zodiac, Cancer is a cardinal water sign that understands itself in relation to how it feels about others. “You’re going to know yourself through what you care about—a dog, a partner, a topic—and how you [show it],” Ridout explains. A Cancer rising will define themselves as a compassionate friend or as a champion of a cause. When misguided, though, this person will project onto others and overly nurture them. “They’ll forget to nurture themselves, and they’ll mother someone else, usually a partner.” If you know you have this rising sign, you can watch out for these tendencies.
Leo
Leo is a fixed fire sign that burns with purpose and spirit. A grounded person with Leo rising will pursue what makes them feel truly excited and fulfilled. When this sign is not genuine, that sense of spirit turns into showboating. “They’ll try to be externally flashy instead of nurturing the flame of the heart,” Ridout says. “It’s the difference between doing something because they want attention versus doing something that is deserving of attention because it’s coming from within.” For instance, a Leo rising should sing because they love musical expression, not just because they want all eyes on them.
Virgo
This mutable earth sign seeks order in life. Highly practical, someone with Virgo rising will have a very formulaic way of thinking and structuring their existence. “They know themselves through self-organization,” Ridout says, “almost through the minutia and the little things. Because you are a person who flosses or goes the speed limit or follows a healthy diet, you determine yourself to be a person of value.” Virgo establishes certain criteria for themselves to meet if they are to consider themselves a reliable, successful person. While this way of thinking can help them achieve goals and provide clarity, too much can lead them to be overwhelmed by self-critique—or overly critical of others. “The sign of Virgo tries so hard to do its best that it becomes hyper-aware of when it falls short of its imagined ideal,” Ridout explains. Virgos are also one of the most polite zodiac signs.
Libra
Always concerned with keeping the balance, people with this rising cardinal air sign think before they act. Measured in their approach, “a Libra rising often has to explore two extremes before [finding] the place where they truly lie,” Ridout says. “They often know themselves by looking around them and understanding what they are not, what they balance themselves against.” Libras understand themselves in relation to others, but the pitfall here is that they can cave to peer pressure. A strong sense of self is necessary to maintain internal balance.
Scorpio
A deeply intuitive fixed water sign, Scorpio rising indicates someone who is ruled by instinct and emotion and is steadfast in their beliefs. That intensity becomes dangerous when led astray, Ridout explains, because “they could root to something that’s not truly theirs.” Through self-doubt, they can suppress who they are and adopt someone else’s belief system. This could be something big like religion, or it could be personal, like seeing themselves as a failure because someone else said so. Go with your gut and always ask, “Is that really me?”
Sagittarius
This mutable fire sign feels most alive when in motion and discovering new things. “They’re going to know themselves through exploration and, to some extent, play,” Ridout says of Sagittarius rising. Learning about different cultures and philosophies is one way of doing that. But don’t get so caught up in being a tourist that you always look outward and never inward. Taking the time to find a new appreciation for your home base is important.
Capricorn
A person with this cardinal earth sign ascending loves hard work. They take pride in building themselves up every day to reach their ultimate goal, whether that’s a fit body or a successful business venture. Capricorn rising recognizes itself through effort and productivity. The key is making certain that they are genuinely doing it for themselves and not, as Ridout puts it, “directing their energy to building someone else’s goals as opposed to building their own.”
Aquarius
Someone with Aquarius rising will take an innovative approach to any task or problem. This fixed air sign is always looking to improve and make things more equitable, and they do that by challenging the status quo. If there isn’t a good enough path forward, they’ll invent one. Ridout says someone with Aquarius attributes will only fail “if they forget to question things and let others be authorities.”
Pisces
“There’s something in life that we can’t express with words because it’s so intangibly beautiful,” Ridout says. “So we make music and poetry and have mystical experiences. Pisces know themselves through intuitive artistic expression.” People with this mutable water sign ascending become the best versions of themselves when they engage in the creative process. It’s important for them not to use their talent as a form of escapism but as a way of meeting life’s challenges. Now that you know what a rising sign is, find out the best days to do everything in 2021, according to astrology. Then, check out these hilarious zodiac memes for a laugh or two.
Source:
- Emily Ridout, astrologer
FAQs
What does you rising sign say about you? ›
Your Rising Sign represents the microcosm of your entire life experience, including the themes, cycles, and patterns that will show up in your life over and over again. It functions as the instruction manual for your reality, thus informing not just the way others see you, but also the way you perceive others.
Is your rising sign how people perceive you? ›Your ascendant describes your outermost layer and how you make a first impression. While the sun is how we see ourselves and the moon is how we really are, the ascendant is how others see us.
Which rising sign is beautiful? ›Libra is ruled by Venus and is considered the most attractive ascendant.
What determines a person's rising sign? ›Your rising sign is determined by the time of your birth. If you were born right before or right after dawn, your sun sign is likely the same as your rising sign. If you were born just before or just after sunset, your rising sign is most likely to be exactly opposite from your sun sign.
What zodiac sign is smartest? ›The smartest zodiac sign is actually a tie between Aquarius and Scorpio, astrologists say—but they share the top spot for two very different reasons. Those born under the Aquarius sign have the highest levels of analytical intelligence, which is measured by cognitive ability and IQ.
Which rising sign is talkative? ›Those with a Gemini ascendant tend to be perceived as social butterflies. They're chatty, they're flirty, they're totally charming… they're suddenly over it and on to the next thing.
What rising sign is quiet? ›Ascendant (Rising) Sign — Your Outward Personality
Cancers are known to be quiet, sensitive, and introspective (which is quite the opposite of your fiery Aries!). This means that while you are an ambitious, open person at heart, you may initially appear to be shy or reserved to those around you.
Finding the most attractive signs has been very difficult according to various astrologers, but it is believed that there are 5 zodiac signs the most attractive and they are Scorpio, Libra, Taurus, Aries and Leo.
Does your rising sign affect your personality? ›But our rising signs represent a significant piece of our personality, self-image, and our outward-facing selves in general. “The ascendant in astrology shows your mannerisms, your persona, your direct personality, and your identity,” astrologer Alby Toribio tells Bustle.
Who are the geniuses of the zodiac? ›Aquarius and Scorpio are the smartest zodiac signs, astrologists say — but for two very different reasons. Those born under the Aquarius sign have the highest levels of analytical intelligence, which is measured by cognitive ability and IQ.
Which zodiac sign is tall in height? ›
Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius and Aquarius denote good height. Taurus, Cancer, Capricorn and Pieces indicate short height. Aries, Virgo, Libra and Scorpio denote average height.
What Are Big Three signs? ›Your Big 3 in astrology refers to your Sun sign, your moon sign, and your rising sign.
How often does the rising sign change? ›The rising sign changes every two hours, so you need to know your time of birth to get an accurate answer. Some birth certificates unfortunately don't list the rising sign, so you may need to rely on a parent's memory or have a professional astrologer "reconstruct" your chart and make their best guess.
How do I find my Big 3? ›Your big three refers to your sun, moon, and rising (or ascendant) placements on your natal chart. Your natal chart is where the planets, moon, and sun were aligned in the sky at the time, date, and location of your birth. Plugging this information into a free calculator will tell you your natal chart in seconds.
What does moon sign say about you? ›Your moon sign reflects the cauldron of emotions, fears, longings and obsessions bubbling below the surface of your sun sign-driven persona. It's about the private self and its motivations and anxieties. It impacts heavily upon your relationships and bonds with others, and how you FEEL about stuff. It's deep.
Which zodiac has high IQ? ›Aquarius, Virgo, Gemini, Scorpio, Sagittarius, and Capricorn are the most intelligent zodiac signs. Each sign (and all the others) has strengths that make them unique. Some are book-smart like Virgo, while others are visionary like Aquarius.
What zodiac signs are quiet? ›- Taurus.
- Capricorn.
- Virgo.
- Cancer.
- Pisces.
- Scorpio.
Which means, the Sun spends less time in the 1st house during Pisces rising. Hence, Pisces rising is a rare phenomenon because the Pisces quadrant in the 1st house is smaller than others.
Why do air signs talk so much? ›Air signs also tend to be big talkers. “They rely on communication and thoughts to understand themselves and the world around them,” Stardust says. This means they're often curious about what's going on, and will consume and share news readily.
Are Leo rising rare? ›6 Leo Ascendant Traits You Should Know – Are Leo Rising Rare? In the case of Leo rising, it's a rare occurrence because, unlike other risings that are ruled by planets, the Leo risings are owned by the Sun.
Is Scorpio Rising rare? ›
The most common ascendants are Gemini, Cancer, Libra and Scorpio which rise for the maximum duration. The rarest are Pisces Aquarius and Aries which rise for less than 100 minutes (Aries for about 104).
How many rising signs can you have? ›Understand the unique influence of all 12 Rising signs in Astrology.
Which zodiac has best hair? ›Leo. Big, voluptuous, vibrant hair is your jam, Leo! If there's any sign to take prime care of those luscious locks, it's you. After all, you're the belle of the zodiac ball—all eyes are on you at all times, you wild lion!
Which zodiac sign is beautiful face? ›Being one of the charming signs, Aries is known for its facial features and extremely attractive appearance. Their confidence and vivaciousness are exquisite and it makes them more attractive and charismatic.
What zodiac sign has a magnetic personality? ›Among the most magnetic zodiac signs, Aries people are engaging, smart, and capable, and they want your attention just as badly as you want to give it to them. They are heaven magnetic personality as per astrology. Just try ripping yourself away from one while they do their thing.
Is rising or moon sign more important? ›Which is more important, your rising sign or your moon sign? The rising sign is the most important - even more important than the Sun sign - according to traditional (western) astrology. The house cusps (including the ascendant) sets the frame for the individual's life.
Do Rising signs matter in relationships? ›Yes, your rising sign can affect compatibility, and it's not only important for first impressions. Although it's closely related to appearance and how you are seen by others, keep in mind that the effort you put into your relationships would be more important than your rising sign compatibility.
Are you more like your sun sign or rising sign? ›Your rising sign is your personality and your persona — the parts of yourself that you present to the world. That's why you might identify with your ascendant a lot more than your sun sign or moon sign, and others will definitely connect you to your rising sign more.
What zodiac signs are thinkers? ›- Leo. A Leo is a meticulous and astute thinker. He or she makes sure that decisions are made only after much thought. ...
- Scorpio. Scorpios are also logical thinkers. ...
- Pisces. Pisces is another zodiac sign that thinks logically.
The first step to getting to know your horoscope is to find out what your “big three” placements are – the sun, the moon and the ascendant. These three planets describe different parts of you, and together they form a very truthful picture of your personality.
Who is smarter Gemini or Aquarius? ›
The most intelligent zodiac signs ranked from highest to the lowest are Gemini, Aquarius, Cancer, Capricorn, and Libra.
Which zodiac is youngest? ›Pisces (astrology) - Wikipedia.
What sign affects your appearance? ›Your rising sign governs your physical appearance, your mannerisms and the overall way you project yourself. The ascendant sign also rules your first house of the self in your birth chart, which represents your body, outer appearance and temperament.
What is the shortest sign? ›Aquarius (astrology) - Wikipedia.
What your big 6 say about you? ›Your Big 6 includes your Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Mercury, Venus, and Mars placements. These placements show you how you prefer to communicate, how you enjoy being romanced, how you handle conflict, and more.
What are Leo risings like? ›Leo Rising guys and gals are bright and shiny, dramatic and do everything up big. Leo as a rising sign could be called fortunate. When at your best, you're confident, generous and attractive to others because of your warmth. With Leo rising, you've got the radiance of the Sun (Leo's planetary ruler) at your front door.
Who is a Scorpio rising? ›As a Scorpio ascendant you are an intense, daring, energetic and determined person. Your personality is magnetic and captivating. You possess the exceptional ability for spiritual growth and self-transformation. A Scorpion Ascendant personality has an air of mystery and a sense of strength too.
What rising sign is quiet? ›Ascendant (Rising) Sign — Your Outward Personality
Cancers are known to be quiet, sensitive, and introspective (which is quite the opposite of your fiery Aries!). This means that while you are an ambitious, open person at heart, you may initially appear to be shy or reserved to those around you.
What it represents: Your first house is also known as the "ascendant" and it begins our ride through the astrological houses. It represents "you" in the simplest terms, and governs our self-image, our sense of self, and the image we project to others. It even literally rules over our physical appearance.
What Are Big Three signs? ›Your Big 3 in astrology refers to your Sun sign, your moon sign, and your rising sign.
Which rising sign is the life of the party? ›
Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, and Aquarius all have the party skills you're looking for, so if you're planning a party any time soon, it's them you want to be sure to invite, because these zodiac signs are the life of the party. If they're there, your party definitely won't turn out to be a dud.
Does your rising sign affect your personality? ›But our rising signs represent a significant piece of our personality, self-image, and our outward-facing selves in general. “The ascendant in astrology shows your mannerisms, your persona, your direct personality, and your identity,” astrologer Alby Toribio tells Bustle.
Are Leo rising rare? ›6 Leo Ascendant Traits You Should Know – Are Leo Rising Rare? In the case of Leo rising, it's a rare occurrence because, unlike other risings that are ruled by planets, the Leo risings are owned by the Sun.
Is Scorpio Rising rare? ›The most common ascendants are Gemini, Cancer, Libra and Scorpio which rise for the maximum duration. The rarest are Pisces Aquarius and Aries which rise for less than 100 minutes (Aries for about 104).
Is Scorpio Rising the strongest ascendant? ›Is Scorpio rising the strongest ascendant? Yes. Scorpio ascendants have Mars as their Lagna lord. It makes these people natural risk-takers and fearless.
What do empty houses mean? ›What do empty houses mean? Because there are 12 houses and only 10 planets, everyone will have at least one empty house — and this isn't a problem. Simply put, the empty house in question in your birth chart represents a part of your life that may or may not be as important to you as the houses containing planets.
What time do rising signs change? ›Because the rising sign changes every two hours, it's a much more personal placement than your sun sign, which changes every 28 days. Your rising sign is also important because it dictates what sign each of the 12 houses in your birth chart will be ruled by.
What your big 6 say about you? ›Your Big 6 includes your Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Mercury, Venus, and Mars placements. These placements show you how you prefer to communicate, how you enjoy being romanced, how you handle conflict, and more.
What are Leo risings like? ›Leo Rising guys and gals are bright and shiny, dramatic and do everything up big. Leo as a rising sign could be called fortunate. When at your best, you're confident, generous and attractive to others because of your warmth. With Leo rising, you've got the radiance of the Sun (Leo's planetary ruler) at your front door.
Who is a Scorpio rising? ›As a Scorpio ascendant you are an intense, daring, energetic and determined person. Your personality is magnetic and captivating. You possess the exceptional ability for spiritual growth and self-transformation. A Scorpion Ascendant personality has an air of mystery and a sense of strength too.
Who is the alcoholic zodiac sign? ›
PISCES. The water signs are the zodiac signs most likely to be alcoholics Water signs have a higher proclivity for dipsomania than the other zodiac signs.
Why is Pisces Rising rare? ›Which means, the Sun spends less time in the 1st house during Pisces rising. Hence, Pisces rising is a rare phenomenon because the Pisces quadrant in the 1st house is smaller than others.