Aquarius (astrology)

Aquarius is the eleventh astrological sign of the Zodiac. The name is from the constellation Aquarius. It is an air sign. It is ruled by Uranus (in modern astrology) and Saturn (in ancient astrology). It was based on the Sumerian god Enki, the god of water who was often drawn pouring water.[1]

Traditionally, Aquarius is ruled by the planet Saturn (which it shares with Capricorn). In modern astrology, Uranus is also seen as its ruling planet. Aquarius is called a fixed air sign, and its opposite sign in the zodiac is Leo.[2]

Myth

The constellation Aquarius, shown as a water carrier, has different stories in ancient cultures. In Sumerian and Babylonian mythology, the water carrier was linked to the god Enki (also called Ea). In Greek mythology, the figure became Ganymede, a handsome youth from Phrygia. Ganymede was the son of Tros, the king of Troy (some stories say he was the son of Dardanus). One day, while Ganymede was looking after his father’s flocks on Mount Ida, Zeus, the king of the gods, saw him. Zeus came down to the mountain in the form of a giant bird and carried Ganymede up to the heavens. From that time, Ganymede became the cupbearer of the gods. The Roman poet Ovid included this story in his famous work, Metamorphoses, where Orpheus sings about Ganymede’s tale.

Hindu astrology

In Hindu (Vedic) astrology, Aquarius is known as Kumbha Rāśi (कुम्भ राशि),[3] representing the symbol of a water pot. Kumbha is ruled by the planet Shani (Saturn) and is considered a fixed, air sign. It is associated with qualities of innovation, humanitarianism, and persistence, similar to Western interpretations, but its predictive role is rooted in the sidereal zodiac system. The Kumbha Rāśi plays a key role in individual horoscopes (Janma Kundali), compatibility (Kundali Milan), and in timing rituals (Muhurta).[4]

References

  1. ↑ Thurston, Hugh A.; Thurston, Hugh (1996). Early astronomy. Springer study edition (1. ed., 1. softcover printing ed.). New York Berlin Heidelberg: Springer. ISBN 978-0-387-94822-5.
  2. ↑ "Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  3. ↑ "Kumbh Rashi In English | कुंभ राशि". 2025-08-02. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  4. ↑ Jain, Manish (2025-08-21). "Best Soulmate for Aquarius | Who Makes Best Life Partner for Aquarius Zodiac Sign?". myratna.com. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
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