Word origin · etymology
Latin constellation and sign name.
Libra names a balance or weighing scales, the figure retained by the sign.
How we know · epistemology
Zodiac convention with traditional symbolism
Tropical Libra begins at the September equinox and is traditionally cardinal air. The equinox fixes an astronomical reference; the scales imagery and readings about balance or partnership do not themselves provide evidence about a person's relationships.
Deborah Houlding: absolute zodiac longitude ↗Ptolemy: Tetrabiblos I.4–24, Robbins translation ↗Astrodienst: The four Elements and the Signs (practitioner account) ↗
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Mentioned in 6 other entries
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Sources & provenance
Use the citations beside each section to distinguish a calculation convention, a historical teaching and an editorial example.