Libra (♎︎;Ancient Greek:Ζυγός,romanized: Zygós, Latin for "scales") is the seventhastrological sign in thezodiac. It spans 180°–210°celestial longitude.[2] TheSun transits this sign on average between September 24 and October 23.[3] The symbol of the scales is based on the Scales of Justice held byThemis, the Greekpersonification of divine law and custom.[4] She became the inspiration for modern depictions ofLady Justice. The ruling planet of Libra isVenus along withTaurus.[5] Libra is the only zodiac sign that is represented by an object; the other eleven signs are represented by either an animal or a mythological character though some depictions feature a man holding the scales with his hands.[6]
Libra is the cardinal modality of the three air signs, the others beingGemini andAquarius.[citation needed] Libra is symbolized by the scales and is associated with the Roman deityIustitia. According to the writerManilius, Roman judges are born under the sign of Libra.[7][page needed]
The Moon was said to be in Libra whenRome was founded and this was based on the historical passage, which state "qua condita Roma".[8] Everything was balanced under this righteous sign.[citation needed] Manilius once said that Libra was the sign "in which the seasons are balanced" (Astronomica, 1.267), cf. Virgil, Georg. I.208-9: "Libra die somnique pares ubi fecerit horas / et medium luci atque umbris iam diuidit orbem,...". Both the hours of the day and the hours of the night match each other, hence theSeptember equinox. Thus, why the Romans put so much trust in the "balanced sign".[6]Going back to ancient Greek times, Libra the constellation betweenVirgo andScorpio used to be ruled over by the constellation of Scorpio. They called the area the Latin word "chelae", which translated to "the claws" which can help identify the individual stars that make up the full constellation of Libra, since it was so closely identified with the Scorpion constellation in the sky.[6]
Astronomical Applications Department (2011).Multiyear Computer Interactive Almanac. 2.2.2. Washington DC: US Naval Observatory. Longitude of Sun, apparent geocentric ecliptic of date, interpolated to find time of crossing 0°, 30°....
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![A woman holding the scales (Book of Hours, the Fastolf Master [fr], Bodleian Library)](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=https%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aLibra2.jpg)
