Capricorn people are known for being persistent, hardworking, and serious. They’re also known for their hard work ethic.
The astrological sign Capricorn comes from the Latin word for goat, Caprae. It’s said to be one of the oldest signs of the zodiac.
The Capricorn star sign is the tenth sign of the zodiac and is depicted as a creature with the upper body of a horned goat and the tail of a fish on the lower body.
It’s an earth sign (along with Taurus and Virgo) and it’s associated with the natural elements of earth and water.
With birth dates between December 22 and January 19, the Capricorn symbol is symbolic of hard-working people that continue achieving success throughout their lives and are constantly working their way up in the world.
But how did this zodiac animal sign become the symbol of the sea goat? The story of its origin is an interesting one.
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Early History of the Capricorn Sign
The Capricorn constellation is the 40th biggest constellation in the sky. It lies in the fourth quadrant of the southern hemisphere.
The sign Capricorn is thought to have originated in Babylon. In these ancient times, The Babylonians believed that the planet Saturn ruled Capricorn, and this sign was seen as a symbol of authority.
The goat-fish is a representation of Enki (a mischievous god of wisdom, magic and incantations) who lived in the ocean under the earth. He was often seen on Babylonian monuments. Later Enki became Ea in Babylonian legend.
Ea was the god of ritual purification: ritual cleansing waters were called “Ea’s water.”
However, in Greek mythology, he is the god Pan. Pan ruled over forests and woodlands, flocks and shepherds. From the waist down he was a goat and also had the ears and horns of a goat, and from the waist up he was a man. He was a randy little guy and was always trying to seduce one nymph or another. They would usually run away because of his appearance.
In Greek mythology, there was a nymph named Syrinx. Syrinx was a lovely wood-nymph of Arcadia, daughter of Ladon, the river-god. Pan came across her one day and fell in love with her. He pursued her daily until eventually, the nymph threw herself into the river to get away from him. She called on her sister nymphs to come to her aid and they used their magic to turn her into a hollow river reed. When Pan reached the water, the only thing he could do was embrace the reeds swaying in the wind. The god took some of the reeds, because he could not identify which reed she became, and cut seven pieces (or according to some versions, nine), joined them side by side and formed the musical instrument bearing the name of his beloved Syrinx.
From then on, Pan was seldom seen without it. Today, this instrument is also called a Panpipe.
An Egyptian author by the name ‘Gaius Julius Hyginus‘ who lived around 64 BC took the legend of Pan and told the tale of the fight of the titans. (which would seem to be invented to justify a connection of Pan with Capricorn).
It tells the tale of Typhon, a mythological creature who was the son of Gaia (mother earth) and Tartarus (Tartarus is the darkest and deepest area of Hades’ realm, known as the Underworld).
However, one legend source has Typhon as the son of Hera alone, while another makes Typhon the offspring of Cronus.
Either way, Typhon attempted to overthrow Zeus for the supremacy of the cosmos. The two fought in an enormous battle, which Zeus finally won with the aid of his thunderbolts. During the battle, Typhon was about to attach Pan. Pan dove into the water to escape, hoping the water nymphs would turn him into a fish so he could swim away.
Since he was already half-goat, he only partially transformed. Part goat. Part fish.
Hence, the Capricornus symbol of this mythical creature was formed.
Typhon, by the way, was cast into Tartarus. Typhon mythology is part of the Greek succession myth, which explained how Zeus came to rule the gods.
it’s really fascinating trivia.
Characteristics of Capricorns
Capricorns are often seen as ambitious and hardworking. They have a natural authority figure mindset and are often good at leading teams. They also have a deep well of true friends, which makes them reliable partners in both personal and professional life. Saturn, their planet, represents practicality and discipline, two important qualities for someone in a leadership role.
People born under this sign are typically confident, stable, and have a great sense of responsibility. They are also very independent and can be reliable companions. Those having the Capricorn personality tend to be good at planning and organizing, making them excellent managers and leaders. They are also responsible people who take their duties seriously. Overall, these personality traits make Capricorns excel in many social situations.
People born under the sign of Capricorn are often considered to be strong-willed, industrious and responsible. They are great at achieving goals, whether they’re personal or professional.
Here are three other things Capricorns are good at:
1. Setting and achieving ambitious goals: Capricorns are determined and driven, which is why they’re so successful in setting and reaching goals. They know what they want and have a strong work ethic, so they can achieve it.
2. Handling stress effectively: Life can be hectic for Capricorns, but they usually cope well with stress. They know how to take charge when things get tough and don’t back down easily.
3. Bearing responsibility: Capricorns often take on a lot of responsibility early in their careers, which has given them the skill set needed to achieve great heights.
However, Capricorns have a few negative traits sometimes as well. As a result of their shyness and often changeable personality, Capricorns sometimes come across as being self-centered, moody or just difficult to get to know. Their social skills are not always good, so they might find it difficult to relate to their colleagues.
Some Capricorns are also are not particularly good at expressing their feelings. But the good news is that these negative qualities are rare.
Careers made for Capricorns
Those that were born under the Capricorn zodiac sign are sometimes nicknamed ‘the achiever’ as they’re often considered to be the most career-minded of all the zodiac signs.
Capricorns are hardworking and responsible people, which makes them ideal for jobs that require a lot of dedication and effort. Jobs that fit this personality type include positions in law enforcement, medical administration, and business management.
Being a Capricorn also means being able to remain calm under pressure, which can be helpful in occupations such as engineering or finance.
Interestingly, because Capricorns are typically very organized and efficient, they make great candidates for jobs in the art and entertainment world. A graphic designer or an actor require focus which is one of the quality Capricorn traits.
Famous Capricorn Celebrities
Capricorns are productive and industrious authority figures in the entertainment industry.
Some famous celebrities that hold the sign of Capricorn include Elvis Presley, Michelle Obama, Richard Nixon, Kate Middleton, and Dolly Parton.
The Capricorn sign is a timeless symbol with many interesting characteristics. It is associated with responsibility, discipline, and determination. Individuals born under this sign are often successful in their professional lives. Capricorns are also known for being loyal and reliable friends. If you are looking for a trustworthy and reliable partner, consider dating someone who is a Capricorn.
The legend of how the Capricorn animal sign came to be is fascinating.
It’s made up of various stories handed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. A story of determination and resilience, which is fitting for those born under this sign.
If you’re a Capricorn or know someone who is, be sure to share this story with them!
