Sagittarius, the archer, is the ninth sign of the zodiac. In astrology it covers birthdays from about 22 November to 21 December. It is also a constellation in one of the richest parts of the night sky, in the direction of the centre of our galaxy. Here are 15 facts about Sagittarius, from the stars to the horoscope pages.
Sagittarius at a glance
Astrology dates: about 22 November to 21 December
Symbol: the archer (♐)
Element: fire
Ruling planet in astrology: Jupiter
Brightest star: Kaus Australis
Best seen from the UK: very low in the south on summer evenings
1The archer is half human, half horse.
Sagittarius is usually drawn as a centaur, a creature with the body of a horse and the upper body of a man, aiming a bow and arrow. Its name is Latin for “archer”.
2Its arrow points at Antares.
The archer’s arrow is aimed at Antares, the bright red star at the heart of Scorpius, the scorpion next door. In one story, the archer is guarding the sky against the scorpion.
3It looks like a teapot.
The brightest stars of Sagittarius form a shape known as the Teapot, with a handle, a lid and a spout. On a dark summer night, the Milky Way rises from the spout like steam.
4The centre of our galaxy lies in Sagittarius.
When you look towards Sagittarius, you are looking towards the centre of the Milky Way, about 26,000 light years away. The stars and clouds of gas are so thick in this direction that the sky looks crowded.
5A giant black hole sits there.
At the centre of the galaxy is a supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A*, about four million times heavier than the Sun. In 2022, astronomers released the first image of it, taken with the Event Horizon Telescope.
6It has more Messier objects than any other constellation.
Charles Messier’s famous catalogue of nebulae and star clusters lists 15 objects in Sagittarius, more than in any other constellation. They include the Lagoon Nebula and the Trifid Nebula.
7The Sun is no longer in Sagittarius on its dates.
Because the Earth slowly wobbles on its axis, the stars have shifted against the calendar since astrology’s dates were fixed about 2,000 years ago. Today the Sun actually passes in front of the constellation Sagittarius from about 18 December to 20 January.
8There is a 13th sign next door.
Between Scorpius and Sagittarius, the Sun passes through Ophiuchus, the serpent bearer, for about two and a half weeks each year. Western astrology leaves it out and keeps the traditional 12 signs.
9It is hard to see from Britain.
Sagittarius is a southern constellation. From the UK it never rises far above the southern horizon, and the best time to look is on clear evenings in July and August.
10Sagittarius is a fire sign in astrology.
Astrology divides the 12 signs into four elements. Sagittarius is a fire sign, along with Aries and Leo.
11Its ruling planet is Jupiter.
In astrology, each sign has a “ruling” planet. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, the largest planet, named after the king of the Roman gods, which is why astrologers link the sign with luck, growth and big ideas.
12Astrologers say Sagittarians love freedom.
Horoscopes describe Sagittarians as optimistic, adventurous, honest and fond of travel, but sometimes blunt or restless. These traits come from the symbolism of the archer rather than from scientific evidence.
13Science has not found any link between star signs and personality.
In a famous study published in Nature in 1985, astrologers were unable to match people’s birth charts to their personality profiles any better than chance. Later studies of large groups of people have also found no link between star sign and personality.
14Famous Sagittarians include Churchill and Jane Austen.
People born between 22 November and 21 December include Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, Walt Disney, Taylor Swift, Brad Pitt and Bruce Lee.
15Sagittarius season includes the longest night.
Sagittarius season ends at the winter solstice, around 21 December, the shortest day and longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere.
FAQs about Sagittarius
What are the dates for Sagittarius?
In Western astrology, Sagittarius runs from about 22 November to 21 December. The exact dates can vary by a day from year to year.
What is the Sagittarius symbol?
The archer, written as ♐, an arrow pointing up and to the right.
What are the other fire signs?
Aries and Leo. Together with Sagittarius, they make up the three fire signs of the zodiac.
Sources and further reading
- Britannica: Sagittarius constellation
- Event Horizon Telescope
- Nature: a double-blind test of astrology (1985)
Explore more: facts about Libra and facts about Leo.
Do you know any fun facts about Sagittarius? Share them in the comments below!
Celebrities Born Under the Sagittarius Star Sign
Ben Stiller, American actor, born 30th November 1965
Jay-Z, American rapper, born 4th December 1969
Scarlett Johansson, American singer-songwriter, born 22nd November 1984
Taylor Swift, American singer-songwriter, born 13th December 1989
Miley Cyrus, American singer-songwriter, born 23rd November 1992
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9 responses to “15 Facts About Sagittarius: The Zodiac Sign and the Constellation”
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Another fact about Sagittarius is that they hate showing their weak side and intends to hide it with a smile.
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As a Sagittarius, Most people would believe that we are all very optimistic, Most of us just like to hide it with a smile.
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Sagittarius are actually more on the pessimist side in my opinion – a Sagittarius
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Sags can also be very emotional and tend to have one person they tell everything and don’t tell really anyone else more than they can handle and if they find a friend they really trust are gonna end up being the clingy one because they’re afraid of losing emotional supporters!!!!
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As a Sagittarius, we are most likely to like things to do with nature and are clingy when they find a good friend to support each other, most likely a Aquarius.
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As a Sagitarius, yellow, red and orange are definitely not my colours – I’m a blue, purple, burgundy lover. I am strong, feisty, highly intelligent and bluntly honest but have a huge heart and love to help others. Nature, Animals, Artistic creativity and Music are my passions. In keeping with the Archer, when I need to I have one hell of a kick and I shoot for the jugular. I am married to a Leo and my daughter is a Leo and I love them both beyond life itself.
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Sag’s are attention seekers, they also never want to be left out, they’re very nosey[like me I’m a sag!]and they are super duper very emotional and can be hurt easily!!!???????????????The also blackmail a lot!!
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