Significance of Zodiac
Synonyms: Horoscope, Constellation, Celestial sign, Zodiac sign, Astrology, Star sign
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Zodiac'
In Hinduism, the Zodiac is a celestial system for astrology, featuring twelve sections representing constellations, guiding planetary movements, and aiding in predictions, while also exemplifying divine activities, like those of Krishna.
From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology
(1) This is the zodiac.[1] (2) The zodiac is a system used in astrology, and a knower of the times of revolutions of the planets through the zodiac destroys the blemishes of a day and night. The zodiac is used to determine the positions of the planets.[2] (3) This term refers to the path of the planets, which is traversed by Jupiter, and can be used to predict different outcomes.[3] (4) A belt of constellations through which the sun, moon, and planets appear to move, used as a reference for determining the solar year and the position of the sun in astrological calculations.[4]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A celestial model used as an example to explain the manifestation of Krishna's pastimes.[5]
The concept of Zodiac in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Zodiac" encompasses a circular band of stars crucial for astrology, influencing horoscopes, musical scales, planetary positions, and determining seasonal festivals and calendar dates based on the sun's positioning within its twelve divisions.
From: History of Science in South Asia
(1) The zodiac is the circle of constellations, divided into signs, and the text discusses how planets are placed and aspects are formed within it.[6] (2) The text references the position of the Sun in the zodiac, which is a factor in determining certain festivals, including the dates of the new year in various calendars and the dates of solstices and equinoxes.[7] (3) The zodiac is a circular band in the sky, and the text mentions that Rahu requires three more rashis to complete the zodiac and also notes that the positions of the planets are calculated within the context of the zodiac.[8] (4) The zodiac is mentioned in the context of the horoscope, with the sun being in the northern hemisphere, consisting of the six zodiac signs.[9]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The 12 divisions of celestial space that correspond to astrological influences; used here to explain musical scales.[10]