For those who have explored their birth charts, you will know that even the basics of astrology go beyond your sun signs. There are many elements of your natal chart that make you who you are (one in a million), but arguably, the main three factors are your sun sign, moon sign, and rising sign. Our natal charts offer a snapshot of what was happening in the sky during the exact time of birth. This covers everything from the sign ascending on the eastern horizon to which planets were occupying which houses at certain positions and degrees in the expanse of the expansive sky. All of this information lends depth to your character.
Your sun sign can be seen as one of the major core pieces of your personality, the moon sign is your emotional landscape, and the rising sign (also known as your ascendant sign) is the face you present to the world. We dive into the importance of rising signs and how they shape your personality and first impressions.
Understanding Rising Signs
Your rising sign is the sign that was on the eastern horizon during your exact time and date of birth. Your rising sign can be seen as the external persona you present to the world. It weaves in everything from your physical appearance to people's very first impressions of you and how you showcase yourself when stepping out of the door. All of this has an impact on your personality and how you deal with scenarios and people in your life. To fully get to grips with your rising sign, you will need to know the exact time, date, and place of birth so you can type them into a rising sign calculator or a birth chart calculator and find out exactly what your own unique rising sign is.
The Role of Rising Signs in Astrology
The sign rising high on the eastern horizon during the moment of your birth influences your personality traits and behaviors. It affects your interactions with the world and how you come across people. For example, if you are a Gemini sun sign but often find that people guess you are a Virgo thanks to your hard-working and meticulous approach, this could be because you have a Virgo rising sign.
Rising signs are also connected to the first astrological house. There are 12 astrological houses - imagine the sky as one big wheel with twelve different spokes, with each section representing a different area or avenue of your life. The first house is the house of the self. This house affects your outward appearance, your first impressions, your sense of expression, and how your identity is built up. As you can see, it shares all of these angles with the rising sign. In fact, it's your rising sign that kicks off your entire natal chart and acts as the blueprint for everything else that follows.
Characteristics of Each Rising Sign
Aries rising sign - if you are an Aries rising, your ascendant will be a cardinal sign and a fire sign, which will make you a natural-born leader, ensuring you bring energy to all that you do. Aries rising people have strong instincts, can be competitive, and move fast through life. Physical characteristics can include athletic builds and strong facial features.
Taurus rising sign - If you are a Taurus rising, your ascendant will be a fixed sign and an earth sign, which will make you a strong and steady purpose-filled person who also loves a hint of sensuality and passion. Taurus-rising people have strong values and a large, loyal heart. Physical characteristics can include earthy, dark features and curly hair.
Gemini rising sign - If you are a Gemini rising, your ascendant will be a mutable sign and an air sign, which makes you playful, intellectual, curious, and charming, ensuring you always have a packed social calendar. Gemini-rising people have light energy and love to communicate. Physical characteristics can include animated features and eyes that light up.
Cancer rising sign - If you are a Cancer rising, your ascendant will be a Cardinal sign and a water sign, which makes you gentle, compassionate, caring, and a little sensitive. Cancer-rising people adore home comforts, like to feel safe, and also have a strong nurturing spirit. Physical characteristics can include soft faces, deep eyes, and a larger chest.
Leo rising sign - If you are a Leo rising, your ascendant will be a fixed sign and a fire sign, which makes you bold, bright, and brimming with life. Leo-rising people are always eager to stand in the spotlight and can get fired up very easily, which makes it dramatic but entertaining. Physical characteristics can include Leo-like traits - a mane of hair and a regal face.
Virgo rising sign - If you are a Virgo rising, your ascendant will be a mutable earth sign, which makes you approachable, meticulous, and committed to problem-solving. Virgo-rising people also have a nurturing vibe and love to do things for others. Physical characteristics can include an elegant vibe, a shorter stance, and a soft face.
Libra rising sign - If you are Libra rising, your ascendant will be a cardinal air sign, which makes you a highly balanced conflict-avoidant person. Libra-rising people are flirty, fun, and great on social occasions; they also have a love of aesthetics and art. Physical characteristics can include pouty lips, charming conventional good looks, and strong symmetry.
Scorpio rising sign - If you are a Scorpio rising, your ascendant will be a fixed water sign, which can make you quite intense in first impressions. Scorpio-rising people are also magnetic and have passionate energy as they are often seeking transformative experiences. Physical characteristics can include serious expressions and dark features.
Sagittarius rising sign - If you are a Sagittarius rising, your ascendant will be a mutable fire sign, which gives you big optimistic energy and freedom-loving fantasies. Sagittarius-rising people are fun and exciting to be around but can come across as blunt. Physical characteristics can include expressive faces and long limbs.
Capricorn rising sign - If you are a Capricorn rising, your ascendant will be a cardinal earth sign, which gives you a steady beat and a strong stance in life. Capricorn-rising people are down-to-earth, incredibly grounded, sensible, and career-orientated. Physical characteristics can include a refined and lean sense of style, long, straight hair, and defined features.
Aquarius rising sign - If you are an Aquarius rising, your ascendant will be a fixed air sign, which gives you a friendly and open demeanor. Aquarius rising people come across as curious, eccentric, and very forward-future-thinking and community-spirited. Physical characteristics can include a larger forehead and eccentric sense of style.
Pisces rising sign - If you are a Pisces rising, your ascendant will be a mutable water sign, which gives you a strong emotional pull and a dreamy, creative spirit. Pisces-rising people are gentle, sensitive, and full of empathy as they connect with other people's feelings on a deep level. Physical characteristics can include whimsical, ethereal vibes and graceful soft features.
Rising Signs and Interpersonal Relationships
Your rising sign influences your relationships and social interactions, often connected with how you present yourself to the wider world and the traits people pick up on. This also impacts initial attraction. For example, a Gemini rising may be drawn towards a Sagittarius rising as their love of freedom and strong sense of humor will light up Gemini's curiosity and chatter. Sometimes, these attractions work outside the box - for example a Libra rising may be attracted to the hot-headed energy of an Aries even though Libra's are famed for their love of balance and peaceful harmony.
Finding Your Rising Sign
Curious to find out exactly what your rising sign is? Finding your rising sign is super easy - you need to know the exact moment of birth, the exact birth location, and the exact birth date. You can find all of this on your birth certificate. Once you have this information, you can then use an online calculator or tool that is designed to break down your birth chart. Having the exact birth time is essential as things can move quickly in the cosmos, and you aim to capture a clear reading of which planets were where.
Rising Signs and the Astrological Houses
As mentioned, your rising sign will have a strong connection with your first astrological house of the self. Your rising sign can reflect how other people perceive you, but it also sets the stage for the rest of your houses to follow as it serves up a blueprint or framework for your sense of personal expression and all the ways in which you present yourself. Here are some of the areas that are directly impacted by your rising sign;
Self-image - how you see yourself and how others perceive you
Physical appearance - from certain visual characteristics to fashion choices
Approach to life - the energy you bring to different scenarios
First impressions - the energy you bring to initial meetings with people
Adaptability - how well you deal with change on the surface
Communication style - how you express yourself
Conclusion
Your rising sign is one of the big three signs that help shape you into who you are. Knowing your rising sign can give you more depth and understanding of your intrinsic character traits and how you come across to others. It can help you shift perspectives and even improve your interactions. Whatever your rising astrological sign, it directly impacts your life path, emotional nature, physical body, and your connections with others. Explore our gemstone bracelets, worry stones, spiritual necklaces, and birthstone necklaces to help you on your rising sign sojourn.
FAQs
What is rising and sun moon sign
Your rising sign is the characteristic trait of the zodiac sign that you present to the world. Your sun sign makes up the key aspects and core of your personality, and your moon sign represents your inner emotional landscape.
How do you find the moon and rising
You can find your moon sign, rising sign, and sun sign by inputting your exact time of birth, location of birth, and date of birth into an online natal chart calendar.
How to find rising sign without birth time
If you don't know your exact birth time, it can be difficult to find your rising sign as your rising sign can change every two hours. In order to have a precise rising sign reading, the exact birth time is essential.