Where Did The Names of the Zodiac Signs Come From, What Purpose Do They Serve?

I fall under Scorpio.....Pretty much what it says applies to my personality.

How do people know how to write these up?Where Did The Names of the Zodiac Signs Come From, What Purpose Do They Serve?
Secular explanations:



Sci-Tech Encyclopedia: Zodiac



The band of sky through which the Sun, Moon, and planets apparently move in the course of the year. The Babylonians, about 2500 years ago, divided the zodiac into 12 parts, which correspond to constellations. These zodiacal constellations, in order around the sky, are Aries, the Ram; Taurus, the Bull; Gemini, the Twins; Cancer, the Crab; Leo, the Lion; Virgo, the Virgin; Libra, the Scales; Scorpius, the Scorpion; Sagittarius, the Archer, Capricornus, the Sea Goat; Aquarius, the Water Carrier; and Pisces, the Fish. These constellations are based on Greek myths.



The article continues at the link.



http://www.answers.com/topic/zodiac





Some scholars have claimed that the Babylonians invented the zodiac of 360 degrees around 700 BCE, perhaps even earlier. Many claim that India received the knowledge of the zodiac from Babylonia or even later from Greece. However, as old as the Rig Veda, the oldest Vedic text, there are clear references to a chakra or wheel of 360 spokes placed in the sky. The number 360 and its related numbers like 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 108, 432 and 720 occur commonly in Vedic symbolism. It is in the hymns of the great Rishi Dirghatamas (RV I.140 鈥?164) that we have the clearest such references.



The article continues at the link.



http://www.lightonvedicastrology.com/dai鈥?/a>





Religious ones:



http://www.ocska.com/kr/origins_of_jesus鈥?/a>



http://www.amaluxherbal.com/origins_of_t鈥?/a>



Note: If you search "zodiac origins" you will find even more explanations than the examples I've provided.
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Where Did The Names of the Zodiac Signs Come From, What Purpose Do They Serve?
They are names that represent 12 of the constellations along the ecliptic, or the apparent path of the sun against the cosmos.



They are supposed to be influenced by various planets, giving the people who fall under their sign certain characteristics. However, the descriptions provided for people who fall under any sign are always vague.



Try looking up another sign, and see if it fits you. In fact, try all 11, and see if they "pretty much" match your personality.



The zodiac and horoscopes are superstitious hogwash, survived through the generations by superstitious, or fanciful, people. They do not serve any purpose, except to entertain.
think "MONEY"

none of this stuff makes sense since many of the planets were not even discovered that could have an influence on the known planets to produce the results indicated by all the math mumbo jumbo

The Greeks seemed to have a good understanding of human personalities and wrote many plays and stories with this theme.

A college prof gave each of his students their reading for the day. All thought it was accurate to their personality. Only then did he tell them they were all the sameWhere Did The Names of the Zodiac Signs Come From, What Purpose Do They Serve?
The zodiac signs are all based in Greek mythology. See the site for the specifics of your sign.



http://www.spiffy-entertainment.com/zodi鈥?/a>
I don't know where it originated but I heard from a reliable source that the zodiac use to start with Virgo and end with Leo. Just a little trivia to research if you want.
Greek mythology. Each sign has it's own little story behind it and they also are affiliated with planets/named after greek gods/goddesses



for what purpose they serve, kind of depends on who you are.