Taurus is the second astrological sign of the zodiac spanning 20 April – 20 May. It’s also the first earth sign – the others being Virgo and Capricorn. Taurus’ symbol is the Bull. Individuals born under these dates are called Taureans.
The colours associated with Taurus are green and pink and the planet is Venus. Taurus is associated with the fixed quality; that of determination, depth, stability, persistence and unyielding.
- Dates: 20 April – 20 May
- Symbol: Bull
- Element: Earth
- Colour: Green, Pink
- Day: Friday, Monday
- Planet: Venus
- Quality: Fixed
- Most compatible: Scorpio, Cancer
- Birthstones: Sapphire, Amber, Red Coral, Rose quartz, Aventurine, Emerald
- Scent: White rose, lavender and amber
Traits of a Taurus
Strengths: Reliable, patient, practical, devoted, responsible, stable
Weaknesses: Stubborn, possessive, uncompromising
Taurus is the zodiac associated with the ability to see things from a grounded, practical perspective, hence their relation to the earth element. Taureans are usually considered reliable, devoted and quite stable individuals who are fixed in their devotions and beliefs. At times this can mean they can seem stubborn or uncompromising, but you always know where they stand.
Taureans are often rather physical individuals who enjoy the sense of touch and taste, the material world and physical pleasures.
Considered stable and conservative, Taurus is thought of as one of the most reliable signs of the zodiac. They’re enduring and will stick to their guns until they’re personally satisfied.
The Taurus constellation
Taurus is a large and prominent constellation in the northern hemisphere’s winter sky. It sits between Aries and Gemini to the east and west with the well known Orion sitting to the southeast. The best time to observe this constellation at night is during December and January. Taurus is one of the oldest constellations, dating back as far as the Early Bronze Age.
The Taurus constellation hosts many interesting astronomical objects: The Pleiades and Hyades, two of the closest open star clusters to Earth, the red giant Aldebaran (Taurus’ brightest star) and the Crab Nebula ( a supernova remnant). Taurus is the only constellation that is crossed by the galactic, celestial and ecliptic equator. Gould’s Belt - a partial ring of stars in the Milky Way - also passes through Taurus.
Taurus in History and Mythology
In Ancient Greek mythology, Taurus may draw inspiration from the story of Europa, the daughter of King Agenor. Zeus desired Europa and appeared to her as a white bull. Awestruck by his beauty, she climbed upon his back and he took her off to Crete. She bore three sons by him. One son was the mythical king Minos, best known for his role in the story of Theseus and the Minotaur.
An alternative story says the star sign may represent Io, another of Zeus' affairs. Zeus turned Io into a heifer (a female cow) to hide her form his wife Hera. Hera eventually found out and sent Argus (a hundred-eyed watchman) to guard her from Zeus.
Argus was killed by Hermes under Zeus' orders. As a tribute to her watchman, Hera placed his hundred eyes on her favourite bird, the peacock, which is where the male is said to have gotten its beautiful feathers from.
Maybe Zeus hid Io in the stars in the end?
In Ancient Mesopotamia, Taurus appears in the Epic of Gilgamesh. The goddess Ishtar sends Taurus, (called the Bull of Heaven), to kill Gilgamesh. It results in the bull's hind parts being torn off and thrown into the sky where they become the stars known as Ursa Major and Minor. Some think of Gilgamesh as the neighbouring constellation of Orion, facing off against Taurus in combat.
In Ancient Egypt, Taurus was depicted as the goddess Hathor. Hathor represented the riches seen in cattle and was the goddess of beauty, love and happiness.
Ancient Roman astrologers considered Tuarus to be ruled by Venus, the goddess of beauty, earth and nature.
Some famous Taureans
- Queen Elizabeth II
- William Shakespeare
- Shirley Temple
- John Cena
- Barbara Streisand
- Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson
- George Clooney
- David Beckham
- Adele
- Megan Fox
We've made a Taurus scented zodiac candle
