Rebecca loves sharing what she knows about alternative medicine, health, frugal living, fun, animals, and how to live a better life!

What Is a Sun and Ascendant Sign?

Many people familiar with astrology know that the sun sign, also known as a star sign, is the position within the Zodiac that the Sun resided at their time of birth. A sun sign will depict a generalized set of personality traits for people born under its influence. The traits assigned to each of the 12 Zodiac signs when in the sun position reveal the image you illuminate and show to the external world around you.

The Sun Sign

The sun sign is essentially the "core" of your unique personality. A sun sign reveals how your will and ego behave, as well as how you are likely to absorb new experiences. When combined with a view of a full natal chart however, things drastically change. An ascendant is the Zodiac sign that was rising on the eastern horizon the moment you were born and is more likely to be linked to a person's physical build. Sometimes, an ascendant sign can be identified by a person's external appearance while a sun sign can easily be determined by their personality characteristics—if you know what to look for! Understanding the basics of a person's sun sign and ascendant can give you greater understanding of their character, as well as help spot them in a crowd. Being skilled in identifying these signs could give you an advantage when interacting with the people in your life.

Please understand that what I've written was primarily designed to help pick out someone's sun sign. Although I've mentioned a lot on the ascendants, the key is to look for physical features blended with personality. I've been able to spot the signs of many people in a matter of minutes when talking to them. Some people are not always pleased about this, but I ask to validate my assumptions. I've also been wrong many times. Astrology is a very old art form used for personality profiling, however, I've rarely seen it inaccurate!

If you use my tips and your initial thought is wrong, chances are you've picked up on the person's ascendant. Ask if they know it to see if you are correct.

The Three Main Parts of a Natal Chart

1. Sun sign: The sign the sun was in at the time of birth. Defines one's personality/how they show themselves to the world.
2. Ascendant/Rising sign: The ascendant and the sun sign fuse together forming the personality, with the sun being primary, ascendant secondary. The ascendant also determines how the rest of a natal chart will look and better defines how a person physically looks.
3. Moon sign: The position of the moon at the time of birth. Defines your hidden emotional nature and desires.

Aries

Personality Traits

• Eccentric and quirky
• Sporty and energetic
• Pioneering
• Blunt
• Bold
• Headstrong and independent
• Adventurous daredevils
• Childlike innocence and naïveté
• Barbaric
• Confident
• Quick-witted
• Selfish and impatient
• Quick-tempered
• Frugal
• Argumentative
• Selfless
• Spontaneous

Taurus

Personality Traits

• Jealous and possessive
• Inflexible
• Determined
• Warmhearted
• Greedy and self-indulgent
• Punctual
• Productive
• Scientific
• Stubborn
• Very appreciative of food and snacks

Gemini

Personality Traits

• Witty
• Adaptable
• Intellectual
• Youthful
• Nervous and tense
• Inquisitive
• Cunning
• Cheerful
• Kind
• Savvy
• Two-faced and gossipy
• Nosy
• Insecure

Cancer

Personality Traits

• Sensitive and intuitive
• Affectionate
• Cautious and protective
• Moody
• Clingy
• Procrastinating
• Introspective
• Encouraging
• Supportive
• Values home and security
• Sensual

Leo

Personality Traits

• Warm and sunny disposition
• Enjoy attention and being center stage
• Creative
• Generous
• Faithful
• Bossy and intolerant
• Broad-minded
• Fickle

Virgo

Personality Traits

• Serious disposition
• Discreet
• Worrywarts
• Sympathetic and helpful
• Industrious and diligent
• Creative
• Fussy
• Shrewd
• Overcritical
• Perfectionists
• Analytical
• Silly and slapstick

Libra

Personality Traits

• Favor all shades of blues and reds
• Diplomatic
• Romantic and charming
• Sociable
• Idealistic
• Indecisive
• Gullible
• Flirtatious
• Manipulative and sulky
• Artistic, creative, and poetic
• Good mediator
• Expressive

Scorpio

Personality Traits

• Charming and powerful
• Emotional and intuitive
• Determined and resourceful
• Passionate
• Exciting
• Secretive
• Obsessive and jealous
• Good memory
• Brooding and complex
• Brave and loyal
• Investigative and tenacious
• Hot-tempered and intense

Sagittarius

Personality Traits

• Free-spirited
• Jovial
• Honest
• Philosophical
• Careless
• Irresponsible
• Wreckless
• Bold, blunt, and sometimes downright rude

Capricorn

Personality Traits

• Ambitious
• Disciplined and patient
• Humorous
• Reserved
• Miserly and pessimistic
• Hardworking and goal-oriented
• Self-sacrificing
• Strong-willed
• Anxious and shy

Aquarius

Personality Traits

• Sentimental
• Have a taste for exotic and fine cuisine
• Friendly humanitarians
• Rebellious
• Intellectual
• Inventive
• Loyal and generous
• Unpredictable and perverse
• Cranky, rude, aloof
• Open-minded

Pisces

Personality Traits

• Emit an air of mystery, elusiveness, and quiet benevolence
• Sentimental, poetic daydreamers
• Make excellent business-people
• Prone to addictions
• Dependent and passive
• Intuitive, sensitive, and compassionate
• Secretive and vague
• Gullible and easily seduced
• Absent-minded and spacey
• Wily
• Popular and multi-talented
• Wise
• Romantic
• Pisces can take on all traits of the Zodiac which makes them often the hardest to spot.

Does this sound like you?

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

© 2013 Rebecca

Comments

Leo on November 24, 2019:

Actually... Lions4Eva, I'm a Leo who doesn't have every little description you described for a Leo. I'm a Leo sun. Fire signs can be atheltic in general, but I'm the creative Leo type who is and never has been athletic.

And to add on every Leo being athletic, either from appearance or personality. I'm actually a chubby Leo, I'm not muscular or sinewy in any way at all. I've had a few traits that came from my three primary signs but not every trait.

That includes someone's personality too. Just because someone has certain signs, from any sign or element, not everyone is going to have every trait you described for a specific sign. You would probably have multiple traits from specific signs depending on your entire chart.

Next time, if you feel the need to correct someone for some reason, regardless if they were right or wrong.. Don't be a cunt about it.

Rebecca (author) from USA on September 11, 2019:

Thanks for your thoughts. Not sure why you seem offended but that's ok.

Lions4Eva on September 08, 2019:

You short-changed Leos a lot here. Our traits are: powerful, courageous, determined, aggressive, protective, strong-willed, dominant, athletic and fiery.

And our bodies are usually MUSCULAR and sinewy since we too are a physically active fire sign and a strong and determined fixed sign ruled by the almighty Sun which bestows strength, courage, energy, vitality, willpower, and health. So please get it straight.

Brandi on April 27, 2019:

Libras are often easiest to pick once you practice enough. Imo

Panda on April 07, 2019:

I just learned that I was Pisces this week, and I was wondering if it really matches me. And it did! But sadly I am not popular.

Rebecca (author) from USA on February 08, 2019:

Thanks for the comment Nai

nai on February 07, 2019:

this helped in discerning a lot of signs, but as a virgo i find no resemblance at all with either me or my friends in terms of physique. most virgos i know tend to actually be petite or average in height. it is true that sharp features are prominent. overall, this was a well-written article.

Rebecca (author) from USA on October 13, 2018:

Thanks for taking the time to read this and share your input :) I appreciate the comments.

Rebecca (author) from USA on October 13, 2018:

It's still general unless you view someones entire natal chart. Thanks for your input :)

Dickicht on October 12, 2018:

Aquarius to me,the once I know,have all the same cute goofy face the famous nose that's weirdly bigger. And an air of electricity. I could spot an Aquarius just by him standing next to me,it was his nervous energy I guess. And when I looked at his face I was so sure.And a couple times I was able to spot the mars in Aquarius position,scary sometimes.

How about the,sorry for my English,is it the raised eyebrow of virgos,they do greet people like this I've noticed.

And even I grew up with Scorpios,I'm not able to spot one immediately.

Having a hard time with spotting a Libra and Capricorn too. But your article motivated me to keep trying.

Dickicht on October 12, 2018:

You forgot a lot about Taurus,the famous doe eyes,that's how I quickly spot any Taurus. And the movement of a Taurus is what spots my eye.

Oh and what sort of Taurus Personality did you pick.

How lame.

Sad that astrologers confuse food and snacks with pleasures in general. I'm a Taurus and I could care less of the food that's coming from a dying earth. My Gemini and Aries friend who got no personal planets in Taurus are more of a food friend. I think it's just slow to connect our love for pleasures with food. :-)

ThePaganSun on September 25, 2017:

In addition to adding more detail about Leo's muscular and powerful bodies, some other traits that should've been included were: determined, active, powerful, passionate, aggressive, temperamental, energetic and athletic, and confident.

It's a bit upsetting that Leo's section was not as accurate or extensive as most of the other Zodiacs.

ThePaganSun on June 11, 2017:

Leo Risings have powerful, muscular builds too. And broad shoulders and a slimmer lower body.

Dr Pandula from Norway on December 30, 2013:

Thanks for the hub! I am not a big believer but it's always good to know about myself and other before hand!

FlourishAnyway from USA on December 26, 2013:

Interesting hub. I don't know anything about astrology but liked reading. I'm a Leo/Virgo ascending and it seems to fit. Hope your holiday was a grand one.

Rebecca (author) from USA on December 24, 2013:

I agree completely, you really do need the entire package. I wrote this in hopes people understand how I determine someones sun sign upon meeting them. Choosing the sun sign because it seems to me that unless someone is involved with astrology, they will not even know what their rising sign is, so...no point in trying to figure that out unless you draw up a chart. I think depending on how dominant the positions are, the easier it is to spot the sun sign. :) I'm Aries/Pisces/Sage Thanks for your comment.

Mackenzie Sage Wright on December 24, 2013:

It's fun to try and figure out people's signs. So many people go straight for Sun signs, and don't even realize how much rising signs influence us as well. My Sun sign is Leo and people who learn this will often point out that it doesn't fit me. But my birthday is right on the cusp of Virgo and Scorpio is both my moon & rising sign, you have to see the whole package. Cool hub.