Just after the season of Capricorn comes to a close, the age of Aquarius is upon us. It usually runs from around January 20鈥揊ebruary 18. In addition to claiming one of the best songs about an astrological sign ever (“This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius 鈥�”), Aquarians are a special bunch.
Aquarius is the 11th sign of the zodiac. Common characteristics often used to describe Aquarians include individualistic, independent, and humanitarian, and those traits serve many well. Famous Aquarians include the likes of Abraham Lincoln, Babe Ruth, Jennifer Aniston, and Oprah Winfrey. Talk about being in good company!
There鈥檚 so much more to Aquarians, though. Read on to see if these additional descriptors sound like you or the Aquarians in your life.
奥丑补迟鈥檚 Aquarius mean, anyway?
Like the other signs of the zodiac, the word Aquarius has Latin roots. It stems from the word aquarius, which means “water-carrier” (yes, aquarium is related). The Aquarius imagery features a person (sometimes a man, sometimes a young boy) carrying a vessel of water and letting the water flow freely from it. The connection to water is reflected in the symbol for Aquarius, which appears on the Aquarius emoji 铀�.
The base of the word鈥攖he Latin aqua, meaning聽“water”鈥攊s a bit misleading, though, since Aquarius is an air sign. Tricky, right? Other air signs include Gemini and Libra, all of which are known for their intellect and gregarious nature.
The Age of Aquarius is a term that popped up in the mid-1960s to describe an 鈥渆ra believed to bring increased spirituality and harmony on earth.鈥� While it鈥檚 supposed to last about 2,160 years, when it will begin isn鈥檛 clear. Some astrologers say it coincided with the spring equinox聽in the Northern Hemisphere in 2021. Others claim it will begin in 2597. Either way, this is an era we’ve been patiently waiting for (and singing) about!
Chart your linguistic stars by taking a closer look at the meaning and usage of the term Aquarius.
What being an Aquarius may mean about you 鈥�
Like with most signs, there are both positive and not-so-positive traits associated with the Aquarius sign. Let鈥檚 start with the positive. Here are some great words that frequently describe Aquarians:
- Humanitarian: Aquarians are driven to help people and improve their welfare. So it鈥檚 no surprise that there are numerous famous humanitarians who are Aquarians, including Susan B. Anthony and Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Assertive: If you know an Aquarius, you know they鈥檙e no shrinking violet. They are committed to standing up for what鈥檚 right and aren鈥檛 afraid to share their opinions, no matter if people like them or not.
- Open-minded: No one is going to tell an Aquarius what to do or think. An Aquarius likes to march to their own beat and look at issues and situations from all sides.
- Confident: Those born under the Aquarius sign are blessed with self-assuredness about who they are and what they want in life. While they鈥檒l listen to others, they鈥檙e also committed to their beliefs and don鈥檛 waiver under pressure.
- Creative: Curious, inventive, and up for adventure, Aquarians like to explore the world and create new things. A few famously creative Aquarians include Virginia Woolf, Toni Morrison, and Garth Brooks.
Nobody is perfect, not even Aquarians
As for the more challenging characteristics of an Aquarius, they often include the following:
- Obstinate: One person鈥檚 determination can be downright stubbornness to another. Aquarians are sometimes so set in their ways, they can be unyielding and frustrating.
- Aloof: All that Aquarian confidence and independence may come off as aloof to those who don鈥檛 know an Aquarian well. While they don鈥檛 mind being alone, most Aquarians aren鈥檛 loners, though, and have a wide circle of friends.
- Unpredictable: Things don鈥檛 get dull around Aquarians, but their great sense of adventure and need for stimulation can make them a bit unpredictable and potentially unreliable. Emphasis on potentially.
- Impulsive: Aquarians are quick to follow their guts. Sometimes that works, but a bit more forethought may serve them well in many cases.
- Detached:聽Aquarians aren鈥檛 the most expressive bunch when it comes to their emotions, and instead tend to be more objective. That doesn鈥檛 mean they don鈥檛 care, though; you just may have to spend a bit more time getting to know them and their generous nature.
If you鈥檙e an Aquarius or know someone who is one, you鈥檝e probably nodded your head more than once as you read along. While astrology isn鈥檛 a scientific study, and many say it鈥檚 a bunch of poppycock, it鈥檚 often uncanny just how many characteristics match up with a person鈥檚 sign.
Do these words describe you or the Aquarians in your life?
Feeling as聽confident聽as an Aquarius? Review our Aquarius word list, which can be used to create spelling quizzes and flashcards, or take聽our quick Aquarius quiz for some thrills.
