Libra (♎︎) (Ancient Greek: Ζυγός, romanized: Zygós, Latin for "scales") is the seventh astrological sign in the zodiac. It spans 180°–210° celestial longitude.[2] The Sun transits this sign on average between September 22 and October 23.[3] The symbol of the scales is based on the Scales of Justice held by Themis, the Greek personification of divine law and custom.[4] She became the inspiration for modern depictions of Lady Justice. The ruling planet of Libra is Venus along with Taurus.[5][6] Libra is the only zodiac sign that is represented by an object; the other eleven signs are represented by either an animal or a mythological character though some depictions feature a man holding the scales with his hands .[7]
Astrological associations
Libra is the cardinal modality of the three air signs, the others being Gemini and Aquarius.[8] Libra is symbolized by the scales and is associated with the Roman deity Iustitia. According to the writer Manilius, Roman judges are born under the sign of Libra.[9][page needed]
The Moon was said to be in Libra when Rome was founded and this was based on the historical passage, which state "qua condita Roma".[10] Everything was balanced under this righteous sign.[citation needed] Manilius once said that Libra was the sign "in which the seasons are balanced" (Astronomica, 1.267), cf. Virgil, Georg. I.208-9: "Libra die somnique pares ubi fecerit horas / et medium luci atque umbris iam diuidit orbem,...". Both the hours of the day and the hours of the night match each other, hence the September equinox. Thus, why the Romans put so much trust in the "balanced sign".[7]
Going back to ancient Greek times, Libra the constellation between Virgo and Scorpio used to be ruled over by the constellation of Scorpio. They called the area the Latin word "chelae", which translated to "the claws" which can help identify the individual stars that make up the full constellation of Libra, since it was so closely identified with the Scorpion constellation in the sky.[7]
Gallery
Illustration of Libra in a Flemish manuscript from the early 1460s
Libra, or al-Mīzān, depicted in the 14th/15th century Arabic astrological text Book of Wonders
^Team, The GaneshaSpeaks (2017). GEMINI - Your Zodiac Horoscope 2018. Ahmedabad: www.GaneshaSpeaks.com. p. 16.
^Horace (2017). Horace: Odes Book II. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 203. ISBN9781107012912.
^Goodyear, F. R. D. (2004). The Classical Papers of A. E. Housman, Volume 2. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. p. 871. ISBN0521606969.
Works cited
Astronomical Applications Department (2011). Multiyear Computer Interactive Almanac. 2.2.2. Washington DC: US Naval Observatory. Longitude of Sun, apparent geocentric ecliptic of date, interpolated to find time of crossing 0°, 30°....
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![A woman holding the scales (Book of Hours, the Fastolf Master [fr], Bodleian Library)](File:Libra2.jpg)
