Zodiac Stereotypes: A Conversation with the Signs
If you could tell the world something you’d wish everyone knew about your zodiac sign, what would you say? Is there a stereotype hanging above your sign that you want to go away? Recently, I noticed a pattern in my conversations with friends regarding their zodiac sign, and it’s been brought to my attention that most of us, in some way, don’t exactly “fit the bill” of our Sun sign. We’re pretty complex beings, us humans, so I decided it would be a good idea to give the signs their own voice and let them tell us what they need us to hear. I wrote out a few questions, and casually asked some friends of mine on social media to answer them. Here are the results.
Everyone was asked the same set of three (3) questions:
1. What is a stereotype about your sign that you feel is untrue/needs to be debunked?
2. What do you wish people would understand better about your sign?
3. If you could compare your zodiac to a different sign, which would it be and why?
Below are the results from each sign, and the credit to all who participated in my study.
Aries
Cecilia H.
1. A stereotype that appears to be prevalent is that Aries are always argumentative/angry. Honestly, it's getting to the point where I wonder if people making these posts even know any of us in real life. I'm sure many Aries do have tempers, but so do Cancers or Aquarians. Boiling us down to just being temperamental people is a little dismissive.
2. I wish people better understood the other qualities of Aries. Aries are known to be incredibly loyal, which makes us amazing friends if you give us a chance. We’re also known to be adventurous and bold; if you want to try something a little out there and need a buddy, just ask your neighborhood Aries!
3. I feel the obvious trait comparison is Sagittarius, but I also see lots of Aries traits in Gemini. Geminis are known to be social butterflies who love juggling multiple projects- a definite trait that is ascribed to Aries as well. They’re also recognized for their steadfast loyalty, once they’ve allowed you into their hearts, which is another characteristic Aries can relate to.
Felin O.
1. That we're impulsive. We are just determined to get what we want, but to others, it doesn't seem like we've thought about it at all.
2. How passionate Aries are; we will fight hard for what we believe in.
3. I'm not sure I could compare. Each sign is so unique.
Taurus
Collin T.
1. Taureans are often called lazy. This is, for the most part, untrue -- Taureans have the ability to be some of the hardest workers, myself included.
2. I wish people would better understand Taurus’s slow-moving nature and how it correlates to our need for security.
3. Leo. As fixed signs, both are the most stubborn, yet both crave luxury and their loyalty knows no bounds.
Ashley M.
1. I don’t feel like any of the stereotypes are untrue because while some may not apply to me specifically, I do feel the zodiac signs can be a spectrum. If we’re talking about me, I don’t really relate to being stubborn and inflexible. I do my research and I know what I want, but when presented with facts I am open to change and growth.
2. I think people view Taurus as materialistic and all about possessions, but honestly we just enjoy being comfortable and cozy. I would rather have a few nice things that make me happy than have a hoard of things just to own them.
3. I would compare Taurus to a Virgo. I feel there is a kindred spirit and a lot of similarities between the two signs. For fun I would compare Taurus to Pisces because I’m married to one, and I’d like to see more of how we balance or interact with each other from a zodiac perspective.
Gemini
Jess L.
1. People tend to classify Geminis as “two faced”, but really we’re just experts at talking and making friends with all types of people from all walks of life. Geminis love to successfully communicate and generally, we just love people.
2. I wish people would understand that Geminis are capable of seeing ideas, values, and situations from all perspectives. This can make us seem indecisive, but in reality, we’re open-minded, versatile and insanely adaptable.
3) Definitely Aquarius or Libra. I have a few close friends that I’ve just clicked with immediately and they are all Air signs. We’re able to hold quick banter on all different subjects! They’re also open-minded (like us Geminis) and enjoy mostly similar music, art, entertainment, etc.
Jess M.
1. I wish people would stop thinking Geminis are simply crazy due to the double personalities stereotype. As someone who’s diagnosed bipolar, any time I hit a manic episode or express my mental illness I’m told “you’re a Gemini, it makes sense”.
2. Being a Gemini does not make us crazy. We are loving, kind, and patient. Impulsive behaviors or exotic moods doesn't mean anything is wrong with us. We are full of passion and kindness -- those are traits I wish people would associate with Geminis.
3. I’ve always held lots of love for Leos. I feel I relate more to them than any other sign. I’ve found that Leos and Geminis share the same level of passion and love.
Cancer
Elyse M.
1. Cancers are said to be deeply sensitive and “brooding” (getting stuck in our own feelings). I think Cancers can be sensitive in some ways, but often we lead ourselves into situations where we’re taken advantage of by negative people because of our nurturing instincts. Anyone would be hurt by being manipulated by a negative energy, not just Cancers.
2. I wish people understood that Cancers are natural empaths. We’re told we are too emotional but it’s because we feel everyone else's pain. We want to help others so much we’re willing to hurt ourselves to fix it.
3. Pisces are a comparable water sign because they are also very empathetic, compassionate, and emotional people. The difference between Pisces and Cancer is that they’re more fit into the dreamer aesthetic. They love to dream about the future. My husband is a Pisces.
Darian S.
1. We’re stereotyped as cry babies. I feel we’re incredibly misunderstood and seen as weak due to our heightened emotions. However, we can understand and relate to things on a different, deeper level.
2. Us Cancers are very in touch with our emotions. I feel everything so much deeper than I let on, and that makes it much easier to relate with others emotions. We also love when people are comfortable enough to open up to us on the deeper level we reside in.
3. Pisces. I have a Pisces rising so I may be biased, but I think we’re similar in the sense of intuition and sensitivity toward the world around us.
Leo
Courtney H.
1. I think the stereotype of Leos being super confident on the surface but insecure deep down isn’t valid. Confidence and cockiness are two different concepts, and while it is generally true that overtly cocky people are usually insecure, I don’t think that applies to genuine confidence. As a confident person myself, I don’t feel the need to boast for validation because there isn’t a layer of insecurity there... in most situations. Everyone gets insecure sometimes, but this essentially boils down to an unevolved vs. evolved Leo structure. Overall, the verbiage is incorrect.
2. Pride is huge with Leos, so people may have a hard time understanding why a Leo lost their temper and popped off at the mouth seemingly out of nowhere when usually, it is a direct result of wounded pride, or messing with someone they care about. We hate feeling embarrassed, nit-picked, and told what to do. Other signs may not react to these circumstances as intensely, but with a Leo it can flip their whole mood upside down. As long as you avoid wounding the pride, it is easy to stay on a Leo’s good side.
3. I would have to say Taurus. Leo and Taurus are both fixed signs that are stubborn, live for luxury, and are the two of the most loyal signs in the zodiac.
Cory D.
1. Leos dominate through confidence, which often comes off as arrogant. We are natural born leaders and tend to command the room. We often place ourselves in roles of power because we feel we’re able to understand and utilize the strengths of others. This rubs off as arrogance, especially if a power struggle arises between team members. We’re skilled at seeing the strengths and weaknesses of ourselves and others, which is why we seek out management roles. We are open to criticism as long as that criticism is rooted in fact. Leos care about the opinions of others but have no problem writing someone off if they fail to contribute to the group. If you consider Leos arrogant, you probably don't contribute and everyone is irritated with you.
2. I wish people understood that the positions we place ourselves in can be exhausting. We seek out positions where we can manage people but end up overwhelming ourselves doing so. We are also very generous, finding pleasure in giving to others. There’s no better feeling than making someone you care about smile, but we tend to do it even when it’s harmful or detrimental to our well-being. The same goes for promises we've made. If we told you we would do something, we will do it without question regardless of the negative ramifications.
3. I’d say Aries. We’re both fire signs so we’re ambitious and headstrong. We’re both natural leaders as well, so we can butt heads at times but I’d say it’s because we have similar operational guides.
Virgo
Noelle C.
1. That all Virgos are “uptight” or “boring” because we are over-analytical about everything. It only means we care.
2. I wish people would understand that we are more than just lists and organizational skills; most Virgos I’ve met are some of the most unorganized humans I know!
3. I would say Capricorn. Almost all of the Capricorns in my life are very similar in personality and how we operate on fundamental levels. I’ve always felt a deep connection to them.
Madison N.
1. Not all Virgos are clean and orderly. Many of us are totally oblivious, and for me personally, I overlook everything and still never miss a detail.
2. The way we word our thoughts can come off as cold or harsh when we’re only trying to be honest and straight-forward. Our tone doesn’t help, and we tend to upset people when we’re only trying to get our point across. I truly mean no harm, but I tend to be too rough in my wording. I wish people understood that my intentions are pure, and I’m sorry you misread me.
3. Even though Virgo is earth and Cancer is water, I feel these two almost go hand in hand. Both signs are soft and nurturing with a mother-like instinct. Speaking out feelings isn’t always a Virgo way but both signs know how to care and are able to show it through other forms, if that makes sense.
Libra
Kaitlin W.
1. We aren’t superficial people who are only concerned with aesthetics or how we look physically.
2. Our indecisiveness is because we want to make the right decision to keep a balance for everyone involved. We have a deep need for justice and harmony. We love fiercely and want our partners to be fair.
3. I would say for me personally I vibe with Virgos sense of perfectionism and scrutiny of people’s true intentions. Gemini sometimes because I feel Libras also have a duality about them, and possibly Cancer because we do feel emotions deeply- we are just (in my opinion) better at expressing them in a healthy and balanced way.
Kori S.
1. Hookup culture is not life! Everyone’s always saying we are “hoes”, “cheaters”, and “liars”. I think that’s just sh*tty people in general.
2. We’re sensitive. I see both sides of an issue, but that doesn't mean I'm taking sides or justifying anything. I try to see all perspectives, and I’ve recently had confrontation with someone because they assumed I was taking sides when in reality, I was trying to gain a better perspective. Libra (in my opinion) is the equivalent of Switzerland.
3. Personally, I feel similar to Leos and Cancers. My moon sign is Leo but I've always felt more watery. People think I’m a Sagittarius when guessing my sign as well. Generally, I’d say Cancers for my desperate need for homemaking and Sagittarius for my love of travel and free-spirited nature.
Scorpio
Macy R.
1. One stereotype often brought up about Scorpios is that we are brute people. On social media, we’re often portrayed as some dark figure that is “violent” or “secretive” in our daily lives. I’ve never dated someone who cared about my star sign but if I did, I’d hate for them to not trust me, when I’m actually a loving and trustworthy person. I am the opposite of violent, and try to avoid conflict at all costs. I can’t even muster up the courage to send my food back at a restaurant.
2. I wish people understood that we aren’t as dark as we are made out to be. I’m a colorful person who adores all life (mostly plants, everyone who knows me knows this). I’m a vibrant, and outgoing individual.
3. I would say I compare most to Pisces. I am a compassionate, musical and artistic person, and I don’t sit well with criticism what-so-ever, which is one of their traits.
Arielle H.
1. Honestly, it’s hard for me to answer this question because I don’t think I’ve ever read something about a Scorpio that I didn’t agree with- though I know all Scorpios are not the same. There are some I’ve met out there that don’t meet the exact definition of Scorpio, and could easily defend themselves against the whole “Scorpios aren’t trustworthy” rhetoric. I think people shouldn’t take that stereotype too literally. It’s not that we’re not trustworthy or loyal; we’re misunderstood, and consistently trying to protect ourselves from being hurt or made to look like fools. We always want to be the ones who come out on top.
2. We are not surface level humans. We don’t like fake interactions and if you put us in a fake interaction, it drains our mind/body/soul. I don’t like small talk. I like getting straight to the point and figuring out why this person is how they are- the real stuff.
3. I compare Scorpio to Pisces a lot because I feel there aren’t many differences. They’re both sexual, spiritual, and in depth thinkers. Pisceans seem less mysterious and easier to figure out though.
Sagittarius
Jenna H.
1. Commitment issues. If I care about you, feel you’re worth having in my life and you are going to enrich it while I enrich yours then I’m going to be 100% committed. I’m not one of those flighty friendships or relationship people. I buckle down on school, work, and friendships. It’s how I’ve been able to foster decade long friendships after moving away and they’re still insanely strong.
2. The wandering part, or having issues finding their place. It’s a need to explore curiosity and it’s nothing against other people- it’s more of an intrinsic need to find out more information about other people or happenings within the world. Eventually there’s going to be a place that satisfies that, but people can’t keep asking us when we’re going to settle because there’s an itch under our skin urging us to go.
3. I’d say Scorpio. We're both a little chaotic, but with an understanding that you don’t have to light yourself on fire to keep others warm.
Blossom C.
1. I think the most problematic Sagittarius stereotype is that we’re not loyal in relationships. Yes, we need our freedom but that doesn't mean we'll automatically cheat. When I'm in relationships I stay truly devoted to the person I love.
2. I'd wish people would understand the fact that not all Sagittarians are always optimistic. After all, everyone has their own personal life and problems. We might find hope for better in small things but we can't always be happy.
3. Probably Gemini. During my life I’ve had trouble making friends with Geminis, and that made me realize that some of them are too similar to me. Compared to Geminis, Sagittarians act on logic, while Geminis act out of instinct. I've also noticed the fact that Geminis usually only try to appear right, while Sagittarians try and prove they're right. Basically, Geminis try to view the world as it is, and Sagittarians try to view the world as it could be. After all, we are sister signs. Polar opposites, but similar in more ways than not.
Capricorn
Savannah C.
1. We aren’t boring, we are just not interested in having a conversation with people we don’t find interesting or “click” with.
2. Capricorns are actually very emotional. We aren’t an emotionless sign that doesn’t care about others' feelings, we just have a hard time being vulnerable to the world.
3. I would say Sagittarius, because we aren’t carefree in the same sense, but we want to travel and live a luxurious lifestyle. That’s why most of us work so hard- so we’re able to do those things.
Amy G.
1. A typical stereotype about Capricorns is that we are cold- sometimes even heartless. For me that’s not true, I simply don’t show my emotions as often as others.
2. I wish people would understand that Capricorns are more realistic than others, and while it can come off as rude or disagreeable to a point, that’s not our intention. I feel we are more practical than imaginative.
3. If I could compare myself to another sign, it would be Virgo. While I think Virgos are definitely more creative than Capricorns, we are both hardworking and reliable. We can also both be stubborn.
Aquarius
Hannah N.
1. We’re stereotyped as liars but we’re the complete opposite. Sometimes we don’t always speak how we completely feel because we don’t know how to put our thoughts and feelings into words.
2. Aquarians are 100% original and do not follow in the footsteps of others. We can be cold and aloof in a relationship, once we feel we have been wronged or hurt.
3. Gemini. We are both indecisive, independent, impulsive and stubborn.
Sarah W.
1. That we are emotionless.
2. In relation to the first answer, we are not emotionless- we are guarded. A lot of us are not likely to be vulnerable because we fear showing that side of ourselves, or because we aren’t quite sure of the proper way to express our emotions. We do care and feel, but it’s especially hard when everyone always tells us that we don’t. As an Aquarius, I think that we feel the most emotion of all the signs but, because we are so guarded, no one can tell.
3. I don’t think there is a sign I could confidently compare Aquarians to. I know most of all other signs see this and think “there goes the God complex” but that’s not it at all. I haven’t really met any other sign that I can relate to- let alone have many similar traits or attributes. I guess if I had to compare, I’d choose Gemini or Scorpio due to the amount of hate that gets thrown our way.
Pisces
Kevin C.
1. Pisces are really emotional. Everyone says Pisces are emotional like it’s a bad thing, but to be in touch with your emotions is a huge strength. Pretending they don’t exist can only cause harm.
2. We are selfless to an extent but we need people to help us be selfish at times. We care about others, and I think that gets lost in the weeds of simply saying we are selfless for selflessness’s sake. It has purpose and it’s because we need that connection with other people. Pisceans fear we won’t have it without giving up more than we take in.
3. Probably Cancer because of their emotional strength. Cancers are more emotional, but we are more sensitive, so I think it balances out.
Jordan L.
1. The whole “super friendly” vibe always gets to me a little bit. Maybe it’s just me though.
2. From my perspective, people find the Pisces love of music to be a little intense. It's more of a therapeutic thing for us.
3. I would have to go with one of the air signs. I am not into swimming or being in water at all; I do love the wind though.
Sonder.
Every person in this study is another person’s sonder, which by definition means “the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.” It’s difficult to see another person for who they are, when we’re focused on who we’re becoming. The third question in my study particularly gauges a fair point: by finding our similarities to the other zodiac, we have the opportunity to see that we all fit into boxes one way or another. Those boxes do not define us. We define who we are, and we own our voices.
*Every participant in this article gave their full consent to answering my questions, and to the use of their first name and last initial.