Zodiac Signs and Relationships Across Cultures
These fascinating symbols really do have a way of adding a bit of spice to many people's lives and relationships.
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In the Northern Hemisphere, most star patterns' names come from ancient Greek and Roman times. This is partly thanks to Claudius Ptolemy, a mathematician who penned a catalogue of stars and constellations way back in the second century.
Back in the day, people used to lump astrology and astronomy together. Time magazine refers to how Johannes Kepler, a scientist from the 1600s, was also known as an astrologer. How things have changed, right?
While there's no scientific proof backing astrology, there is no doubt that the ideas captivate and provide meaning for many of its enthusiasts.
Love, Life, and the Zodiac
It's kind of neat when you think about it. Our ancestors, way back when, looked up at the stars for guidance on life down here. Fast forward to today, and a lot of us still do the same. Astrology plays a big part in many people’s lives, from shaping cultures to even steering personal lives and relationships.
In fact, many rely on our horoscopes to answer some of our deepest questions. Like, is my Capricorn partner my ideal match? Will my fiery Aries nature clash with my partner's laid-back Gemini temperament?
But it goes beyond just that. People who've relocated to different countries may feel more settled or totally out of place, and they attribute this to 'astrocartography'. This is the belief that the celestial bodies present at your birth can influence how you gel with various parts of the world.
Every place on earth has its own story to tell about how the zodiac influences it. But no matter where you go, one thing's clear.
‘‘Belief in the zodiac's power reaches far and wide, showing just how much we all share a sense of wonder and curiosity about the unseen.’’
In China, there is a tradition of using astrological compatibility to dictate matchmaking decisions, significantly influencing marriage and love.
Similarly, in India, people's use of 'Janma Kundli', or the birth horoscope, plays a pivotal role in arranging marriages, determining the compatibility between the bride and groom before finalising a matrimonial alliance.
In Japan, a baby's name might be chosen based on the astrological sign under which they were born. The animals of the zodiac are considered to bring good luck, and pictures of them can be used as prayers for good crops and wealth.
In the Western world, it's not uncommon for someone to casually inquire about a potential partner's star sign or read their love horoscope. Studies found that many people reported feeling identified with their zodiac descriptions and regularly consulted their horoscope. But then horoscopes are typically written in a highly relatable manner.
People often refer to the traits associated with star signs as explanations for their personalities. "Classic Virgo!" or "Such a Scorpio move" are common phrases, highlighting how entrenched these beliefs are in everyday life.
Astrology and Business
The world of business and professional relationships is not immune to the influences of astrological beliefs. This phenomenon stretches across different cultures and economies, shaping decisions from small-scale businesses to giant corporations.
For example, in India, big and small business owners often start their businesses on lucky days. They choose these dates based on the "Panchang," which is a traditional Hindu calendar.
Some, especially those practising Hinduism, might talk to astrologers to make sure their business plans are in tune with the universe.
Over in Sri Lanka, the stars aren't taken lightly either—even by the authorities. Businesses might wait for the perfect astrological date to launch a new product or start a new office, believing that the stars could help bring in good fortune.
Then, hop over to the United States, and you'll find that some business leaders, including real estate tycoons and business moguls, also look to the stars before making big calls.
This trend isn't new - J.P. Morgan, a towering figure in American finance, famously said, "Millionaires don't use astrology; billionaires do."
Today, business leaders may still seek an astrologer's advice before signing a big contract or sealing a deal. They look for lucky dates and times that could bring about success.
The Science of Horoscopes
Despite widespread interest, astrology is considered a pseudoscience. As shown in a paper from the journal Nature, there has been no proof that astrological predictions based on the zodiac are accurate.
So, how has this belief in the zodiac signs stood the test of time? Science has an interesting explanation for it.
Humans naturally love finding patterns and connecting the dots. But sometimes, our brains make connections that aren't real or accurate, and that's what's called apophenia.
Apophenia could help explain why many of us are so drawn to the zodiac. When we see patterns, our brains tend to attach special meanings to them, and these meanings can feel very significant and emotional.
It's actually a natural part of our brain's development because being able to recognise patterns between things that happen and their consequences is important for our survival.
For example, if an ancestor ate a berry and became sick, they would link the sickness with the berry and learn to avoid it in the future.
But at times, this pattern-finding tendency can lead us to make connections that aren't there, leading to comical results. For example, seeing a face in the clouds or jumping at a leaf thinking it's a bug. So it had its pros and cons!
And then there is the Barnum Effect. This is a psychological term for when someone thinks that a description of their personality fits them better than it fits other people-even though the description is full of information that applies to everyone.
Imagine someone telling you, "You're often too hard on yourself," or "You find it tough to concentrate on boring tasks." Even though these comments seem quite personal, don't you think most of us would say, "Yeah, that's totally me!"?
The magic of astrology, however, is that it's equally enchanting for both the believer and sceptic. You may shrug off the zodiac as mere fairy tales, but admit it, haven't you ever felt a twinge of excitement while reading your love horoscope?
Think of it like this. Zodiac signs are more than just symbols. They're reflections of our shared human experiences and our unique interpretations of life, love, and relationships. They remind us that we're all under the same cosmic canopy, yet our stories are beautifully diverse.
Sources:
-Haggerstone, A. (2017). Language, fantasy & storytelling: How humans became creative. University of York, Philosophy Department.
-Bainbridge, C., Redstone, S., Rustin, M., & Yates, C. (2008). Culture and the Unconscious. Psychoanalytic Psychology
-The Handbook of Japanese Linguistics by Natsuko Tsujimura
-Shawn, C. (1985) A double-blind test of astrology. Nature
-Britanicca.com
