Most people feel a deep spiritual connection to their zodiac sign. In fact, 95% of individuals who get zodiac tattoos choose the sign they we born under. This makes a zodiac tattoo an expression or extension of one's own identity.

A growing number of people gets zodiac tattoos nowadays. If you're thinking of getting one for yourself, you might want to first be sure where you stand in matters of astrology. Those who get a zodiac tattoo feel a strong personal affiliation with their zodiac sign because they believe in the notion that celestial bodies influence how their personalities were shaped from birth. Are you one of them?If you are, you might want to take a look at some of the zodiac systems for tattoo ideas.

Zodiac symbols are also known as sun signs because they are governed by the sun, the moon, and the stars at specified times of the year. When a person is born, the constellation that is prominent in the sky during that day is the zodiac symbol assigned to that person.

The most commonly used and widely known zodiac system today is the Greco-Roman. The widely known Greco-Roman names of the symbols have been used for centuries, but the signs of the zodiac themselves had already been used by ancient Babylonian astrologers for millenniums. Each zodiac sign has its individual meaning, and people who fall under the same sign normally are believed to share common characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. The twelve Greco-Roman zodiac symbols are the following:

Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb 19)

Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20)

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 20)

Taurus (Apr 21-May 21)

Gemini (May 22-Jun 21)

Cancer (Jun 22-Jul 22)

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22)

Virgo (Aug 23-Sept 23)

Libra (Sept 24-Oct 23)

Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)

Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 22)

Capricorn (Dec 23-Jan 20)

It is important to remember that zodiac signs are cross-cultural symbols; various cultures have their own versions of the zodiac and have different names for astrology.

Chinese zodiac system evolves in a twelve year cycle. It incorporates the elements of metal, wood, fire, earth, and water with each sign. This integration with Chinese zodiac signs provides sixty possible personality variations for interpretation.

The Chinese system also assigns a different color for each year. The colors are classified by the stems and are directly related to the elements: Metal is white; Water is black; Wood is green; Fire is Red; and Earth is Brown.

Another feature of the Chinese zodiac is that it is based on the lunar calendar cycle. It refers to the monthly phases of the moon and fits in it to further characterize the zodiac’s personalities, daily horoscope, and prediction of events. The following are the twelve Chinese zodiac animals:

Rat - 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

Ox - 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997

Tiger - 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998

Rabbit - 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

Dragon - 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

Snake - 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

Horse - 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

Goat - 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

Monkey - 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

Rooster - 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Dog - 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

Pig - 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

Celtic lunar astrology is in actual fact the Druid zodiac, developed in approximately 1000 BC. And unlike the Greco-Roman and Chinese zodiacs, Celtic astrology utilizes trees as symbols. The Druids believed that trees were sacred, each one having spirits or dryads and endowed with unique and specific magical characteristics. For the Celts, mankind descended from trees. They even pictured the whole universe as a tree whose roots burrow deep in the earth and whose branches stretch all the way up the heavens. As time passed, they began to assign a particular tree to every lunar phase depending on its particular supernatural properties.

The Celtic zodiac is based on a lunar calendar, which consists of 13 months, each month being 28 days long except the last one (Ruis/Elder) which only has 24. Hence, the Celtic calendar has 13 instead of 12 zodiac signs. However, the Celtic zodiac isn't limited to the cycle of the Moon. Each zodiac personality is divided into two - the new moon and the full moon. These two categories further typify the However, both shared general characteristics. The following are the Celtic zodiac signs:

The Rowan (January 22 - February 18) - The Whispering Tree. Idealistic and progressive thinkers with visionary minds. Natural born leaders and pioneers of change.

The Ash (February 19 - March 17) - The World Tree. Drawn to fantasies. Creative genius for finance. Artistic and compassionate. Quick-witted and gregarious. Romantic, gentle, and vulnerable.

The Alder (March 18 - April 14) - Tree of Death and Resurrection. Impetuous, independent, and tenacious. Risk takers and great entrepreneurs. Flamboyant, affectionate, and charming.

The Willow (April 15 - May 12) - Tree of Enchantment. Articulate. Strong-willed, shrewd, resourceful and enigmatic. Emotional and might be unforgiving. The best inventors and teachers.

The Hawthorn (May 13 - June 9) - Athletic. Has a sharp sense of humor. Attracted to writing and journalism. Easily bored, ad wants to try a little bit of everything.

The Oak (June 10 - July 7) - King of Trees. Enterprising, determined, enthusiastic, and responsible. Possesses great charisma. Cheerful, funny and optimistic but could be vain and perfectionists. Natural Leaders.

The Holly (July 8 - August 4) - Attracted to banking and insurance. Strong-willed and trustworthy. Down-to-earth and persevering. Affectionate but overly protective and may be reclusive.

The Hazel (August 5 - September 1) - Tree of Wisdom. Perceptive, rational, and clever. Analytical, artistic, and imaginative. Loyal and sincere. Adept scholars in any field. Tend to be paranoid and lack self esteem.

The Vine (September 2 - September 29) The Weaver. Discriminating, authoritative, perfectionists. Instinctive organizers. Secret romantics. Kind, gentle, creative, and very sensual. Inclined to the arts. Can be over-indulgent and procrastinating.

The Ivy (September 30 - October 27) - Has great personal stamina and very talented. Sociable, good-natured but restless. Cheerful, expansive, and magnetic. Quick-witted and extremely loyal but tend to be very indecisive.

The Reed (October 28 - November 24) - Imaginative. Complex, tenacious, and fearless. Caring and passionate. Proud and independent. Great survivors. Tend to be jealous and overly sensitive.

The Elder (November 25 - December 23) Tree of Faeries. Very restless and insatiably curious. Self-sufficient, lively, and outspoken. Highly energetic and dislikes routine. Passionate about travel and study of profound subjects.

The Birch (December 23 - January 21) - Lady of the Woods. Determined, resilient and ambitious. Goal oriented and make excellent leaders and organizers. Loyal and reliable, but can be obsessive and pessimistic.

Established at about 600 BC, Aztec astrology, like the rest of their cultural traditions, focuses on the sun. The sun’s cycle is the key unit of measurement for astrological calculations. Unlike other systems, however, which usually have 12 sun signs, the Aztec zodiac has 20 day signs. These signs are used to explain human personalities and natural phenomena. Aztec signs are built on the names of the days. Each sign lasts for a period of 24 hours and comes again after a 20-day cycle. Their calendar year only has 260 days.

Every 20-day sign has a name, symbol, and direction. They have several names, depending on the translation and the symbol. The following are names of the zodiac signs, with a summary of their brief general meanings:

Crocodile (Alligator, IMIX) = (east) - protective and dominating.

Wind (IK) = (North) - agile, witty and versatile.

Night (House, Akbal) = (West) - deep, considerate and conventional.

Seed (Lizard, Kan) = (South) - lively, energetic and sexual.

Serpent (Chicchan) = (East) - compelling and charismatic.

Transformer (Death, Cimi) = (North) - selfless and helpful.

Deer (Manik) = (West) - helpful and nomadic.

Star (Rabbit, Lamat) = (South) - astute and good-humored.

Offering (Water, Muluc) = (East) - sensitive and creative.

Dog (Oc) = (North) - faithful and supportive.

Monkey (Chuen) = (West) - quick and expressive.

Road (Grass, Eb) = (South) - prudent and functional.

Reed (Ben) = (East) -intelligent and crusading.

Jaguar (Ocelot, IX) = (North) - sharp and mysterious.

Eagle (Men) = (West) - liberated and self-reliant.

Wisdom (Vulture, CIB) = (South) - imposing and wise.

Earth (Earthquake, Caban) = (East) - intellectual but sensible.

Flint (Knife, Etznab) = (North) - independent but romantic.

Storm (Rain, Cauac) = (West) - helpful and healing.

Sun (Flower, Ahau) = (South) - loving and artistic.

Another distinguishing characteristic of the Aztec zodiac is its use of two cycles. Apart from the 20-day cycle or week, Aztec astrology also makes use of a 13-day cycle. Both cycles run at the same time. This 13-day cycle also has its own sign name system, which gives a person’s birth date a numerical identity. This cycle also provides the more subtle subconscious personality traits together with deeper instincts and longings of an individual. Put together with the 20 day signs and factor in the 260-day calendar year, the Aztec zodiac is very complex and can be a bit confusing.