How is our zodiac sign determined: by birth date or name?

Zodiac signs are determined by the position of the Sun in a particular constellation at the time of birth [1]. The zodiac sign is not determined by the birth date or name, but rather by the alignment of the Sun with the constellations.

Here is a breakdown of how zodiac signs are determined:

1. The Earth moves around the Sun in its orbit, and as it does, different constellations become hidden behind the Sun at different times of the year [1].
2. Imagine a straight line drawn from Earth through the Sun and out into space, pointing to different stars throughout one complete trip around the Sun, which is one year [2].
3. The constellations that lie close to this imaginary line are considered to be in the zodiac [2].
4. The zodiac is divided into 12 equal signs, each approximately 30° wide, which correspond to the position of the Sun during different times of the year [2].
5. The familiar zodiac signs that many people are familiar with today, such as Aries, Taurus, Gemini, etc., were set down during the Ancient Greek period and were named after constellations [2].
6. The dates associated with each zodiac sign are based on the apparent relationship between their placement in the sky and the Sun [2].
7. However, due to the Earth's movement on its axis over time, known as precession, the dates associated with the zodiac signs no longer correspond to the background constellations that give them their names [2].

In summary, zodiac signs are determined by the position of the Sun in relation to the constellations at the time of birth. The birth date or name does not play a role in determining the zodiac sign.

Learn more:

1. Zodiac | COSMOS
2. Are Zodiac Signs Real? Here's the History Behind Horoscopes | TIME
3. What's your zodiac sign? (It may not be what you think it is) | Space