Constellations have been part of human culture since ancient times. They link the date of birth to the ecliptic region in the sky, divide them into 12 constellations, and give each constellation specific characteristics such as personality, love, career, etc. Many people use their zodiac signs to understand themselves and others, and even serve as a reference for life decisions. However, is there really scientific basis for the constellation? How has it evolved to this day? Let us explore the history, scientific nature of the constellation and its value in human society.
The history and origin of the constellation
The concept of constellations can be traced back to the ancient Babylonian period, when people divided the sky into 12 areas and named it according to the main star clusters. These ‘star signs’ are considered fixed, while today’s ‘Zodiac’ is based on the trajectory of the sun’s movement along the ecliptic within a year. The zodiac signs do not completely coincide with the star constellations, mainly because there is an angle of about 23.5 degrees between the Earth’s rotation axis and the ecliptic plane, resulting in precession.
The precession phenomenon causes the direction pointed by the earth’s rotation axis to slowly change, moving about 1 degree every 72 years and moving one zodiac palace every 2160 years. Therefore, Aries has actually shifted to Pisces’ position, while Pisces is shifting to Aquarius. This fact shows that modern zodiac divisions have changed significantly compared to ancient times.
The scientific nature of the sign: How psychology affects faith
Many people think that the accurate prediction of constellations is actually affected by psychological phenomena, the most important of which are the Barnum effect and the label effect.
- Barnum Effect: People tend to believe in some vague and universal descriptions, such as ‘you are creative’ and ‘you sometimes feel lonely.’ These descriptions apply to most people, and therefore make people mistakenly think that it is an accurate analysis brought by the sign. For more Barnum effect please read this article .
- Tag Effect: Once given a certain characteristic, people will intentionally or unintentionally strengthen this characteristic. For example, if someone is told that he is Gemini and tends to be socially active, he may focus more on his performance in socializing and ignore other personality traits. For more details on the tag effect, please read this article .
In addition, horoscope predictions are also affected by psychological suggestion. When someone sees a sign predicting “wealth today”, he may be more careful about potential monetary gains, such as discovering money falling on the ground, winning a prize, or receiving a red envelope. These events may have occurred randomly, but because of preconceived hints, individuals would think that this is the role of the constellation.
The social value and cultural significance of the constellation
Although the constellation lacks scientific basis, it still has certain cultural and psychological value in modern society.
- Psychological comfort and support: When people face challenges, the sign provides an explanation and comfort, such as ‘your sign has a bad fortune recently, but will improve in the future’, which encourages you to increase confidence.
- Social topics and sense of belonging: Zodiac topics are a common social bridge between friends. Many people draw relationships closer by discussing the signs and look for groups with similar personalities.
- A tool for self-cognition: Although the constellation cannot accurately define personality, it can serve as an entry point to explore yourself and others. For example, Virgos are considered to be of detail, so Virgos may be concerned about whether they actually have this trait in their lives.
Constellation related fun test
If you want to explore further interesting tests related to zodiac signs, you can try the following link:
- Constellation query: Check what zodiac sign you are based on date
- Zodiac Psychological Test: What are the hidden signs in your heart?
-Test your Venus sign and love view
-Fun Test: What zodiac sign is your mortal enemy in the workplace?
How to view zodiac signs correctly?
We should be open but rational about the zodiac signs.
- If you don’t believe in the sign, you can think of it as a cultural phenomenon or entertainment content.
- If you believe in the sign, you can use it as a tool for self-reflection, but don’t rely entirely on it to determine the major affairs of life.
- PsycTest official website (psychtest.cn) provides many interesting tests that can help you gain a deeper understanding of your personality.
Whether you believe in the sign or not, everyone’s life is determined by personal choice and effort, not influenced by the stars in the sky. Zodiac signs are a cultural phenomenon, not a scientific fact.
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