Star Lore Art The Zodiac

The Zodiac is an area of the sky that follows the apparent path of the Sun across the celestial sphere over the course of the year. It extends approximately 8° north or south (as measured in celestial latitude) of the ecliptic. The zodiac is divided into twelve signs, each occupying 30° of celestial longitude, roughly corresponding to:

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpius

Sagittarius

Capricornus

Aquarius

Pisces

Throughout millennia, the Zodiac was a subject of human imagination and has influenced culture, art, religion and mythology. Here are some examples of artist's renderings of the Zodiac from around the world in no particular order. Please note: The pictures have been selected only for their artistic and/or historical value. This site has no opinion on astrology. It neither opposes nor endorses such concepts. On this site, you will not find any information on how the stars may or may not influence human behavior or historical events. Click on the pictures for larger images.

Mesopotamian Zodiac Ninive, ca. 800 BC Source: space.vsi.ru		Dendera Zodiac (reconstructed) Hathor temple, Dendera, Egypt Source: Wikipedia		German_Woodcut 16th century AD Source: Wikipedia

St. Mark's Clock Tower, Venice, Italy 16th century; Source: Wikipedia		Perumal Hindu Temple, Singapore Source: Singapore Strait Times		Native American Zodiac Canvas Source: sagegoddess.com

Brass ewer with Islamic calligraphy Damghan, Iran, 1267 AD Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art		Zodiac signs on Russian coins minted in 2000 Source: aliexpress.com		6th century mosaic Beit Alpha synagogue, Israel Source: Wikipedia

15th century Medieval stained glass Angers Cathedral, France Source: Wikipedia		17th-century fresco, Svetitskhoveli, Georgia Cathedral of the Living Pillar Source: Wikipedia		Southern Hemisphere Zodiac Constellations Aberystwyth Folios, ca. 1000 AD Source: Wikipedia / National Library of Wales

La Plume Zodiac Art by Czech painter Alphonse Mucha Source: fineartamerica.com		The book of the birth of Iskandar Grandson of Tamerlane, 1384 Source: Wikimedia		Thai canvas with Chinese Zodiac signs* Source: royalthaiart.com

*	The Chinese Zodiac does not represent twelve month, but a circle of twelve years, based on an approximation of the 11.85-year orbital period of of the planet Jupiter.

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