Aries

/air"eez, -ee eez'/, n., gen. Arietis /euh ruy"i tis/.

1. Astron. the Ram, a zodiacal constellation between Pisces and Taurus.

2. Astrol.

a. the first sign of the zodiac: the cardinal fire sign. See illus. under zodiac.

b. a person born under this sign, usually between March 21st and April 19th.

[1350-1400; ME < L: ram]

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(Latin: "Ram") In astronomy, the constellation lying between Pisces and Taurus; in astrology, the first sign of the zodiac, governing approximately the period March 21–April 19.

It is represented by a ram, which is sometimes identified with the Egyptian god Amon. In Greek mythology Aries was identified with the ram that carried the prince Phrixus out of Thessaly to Colchis. Phrixus sacrificed the ram to Zeus, who placed it in the heavens as a constellation. Its golden fleece was later recovered by Jason.

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▪ astrology and astronomy

 (Latin: “Ram”), in astronomy, zodiacal constellation lying between Pisces and Taurus, at about 3 hours right ascension (the coordinate on the celestial sphere analogous to longitude on the Earth) and 20° north declination (angular distance from the celestial equator).

      Aries contains no very bright stars. The first point of Aries, or vernal equinox, is an intersection of the celestial equator with the apparent annual pathway of the Sun and the point in the sky from which celestial longitude and right ascension are measured. It no longer lies in Aries but has been moved into Pisces by the precession of the equinoxes.

      In astrology, Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, considered as governing the period c. March 21–c. April 19. Its representation as a ram is identified with the Egyptian god Amon and, in Greek mythology, with the ram with the golden fleece, on the back of which Phrixus, the son of King Athamas, safely fled Thessaly to Colchis, where he sacrificed the ram to Zeus, who placed it in the heavens as the constellation. The ram's golden fleece was recovered by Jason, leader of the Argonauts.

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