History flows deep with myth, lore and art that reflect the uncanny relationship between humans and our spirit animals. In some cultures the relationship goes as far as to tie this bond into our very place in the cosmos. The Zodiac is one such astrological chart that does this, and we will be exploring the sign of Pisces from the Zodiac in this post.
Born between February 19th and March 20th, Pisces is a water sign, ruled by the dreamy and ethereal Neptune. Pisceans are known for their deep emotional capacity, having a real flair for art, and incredible intuition. In this guide, I will delve into the specific traits of Pisceans in the Zodiac, but also the Pisces spirit animals and animal twins that can be drawn from many cultures from around the world. Which animals and traits link Pisces to Chinese, Norse or Native American Culture? Let’s explore!
Pisces In The Zodiac
In Western astrology, Pisces is represented by the fish, specifically two fish swimming in opposite directions. This symbolizes the dual nature of Pisces, caught between fantasy and reality, emotion and logic.
Why Is Pisces The Fish?
The Pisces symbol of the fish has origins steeped in legend. In Greek mythology, Pisces is associated with the goddess Aphrodite and her son Eros, who transformed into fish to escape the monstrous Typhon. Legend has it, that they jumped into the water together and swam in opposite directions to confuse the deadly giant.
The fish represents adaptability, intuition, and the depth of the emotional world. For Pisces individuals, embracing these traits can lead to a life of rich emotional experiences, creativity, and spiritual growth.
The Dual Nature of Pisces
Pisceans have notoriously compassionate hearts, artistic minds and intuitive souls. People born to this sign possess a unique blend of positive and challenging traits that set them apart from the rest of the zodiac.
Life is not always smooth sailing for these gentle beings. Similarly to those born to Cancer, they can face challenges with their overly emotional nature and can form a tendency to escape reality. They can be very impressionable and this can lead the to be easily manipulated by those who would take advantage of their nature.
If they can hone their intuition and connect to their spirit animal, they can swim clearly and with guidance through the turbulent waters.
Facts About Pisces The Fish
- Date: February 19th – March 20th
- Element: Water
While Aquarius might revel in innovation and independence, Pisces seeks a deeper connection and understanding. A Piscean is more at home in the realms of emotions and creativity. Picture a soul that is compassionate, artistic, and empathetic; those born under this sign embody these traits collectively more than any other sign.
The Zodiac is aligned with an astrological calendar steeped in ancient traditions, that begins with the March Equinox. As the Pisces phase runs from February 19th to March 20th it is the twelfth and final sign, following Aquarius.
The Governing planet Neptune, is the planet of dreams, intuition, and spirituality. This connection highlights the deep Piscean connection to the emotional and spiritual realms. With Neptune’s guidance, Pisces brings a sense of closure and wisdom to the astrological year. Encapsulating the experiences and lessons of all the preceding signs.
Personality Traits of Pisces
Positive Traits: Empathy, Creativity, Intuition, Compassion, Adaptability
- Empathetic
Pisces individuals have a natural ability to empathize with others, often tuning into and feeling the emotions of those around them. This can be great when supporting friends or family, but needs to be kept in balance to prevent overwhelm.
- Creative
The imaginative minds of a Pisces allow them to excel in any artistic pursuit they enjoy. They have a natural ability to find unique and creative ways to express themselves.
- Intuitive
Much like their mythical origins knowing when to run from the mighty serpent giant, Pisces know how to ‘follow their gut’. They have a very strong sense of intuition, and when in tune to this, it can be a great guide through life.
- Compassionate
Pisceans possess a deep sense of compassion, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. It’s not a chore to those born under this sign, but a part of their nature.
- Adaptable
Those born to Pisces can be highly adaptable, and when they connect with this trait they are able to go with the flow and adjust to changing circumstances naturally.
Challenging Traits: Emotional, Avoidance, Impressionable, Indecisive, Secretive
- Overly Emotional
Their deep connection to emotions can sometimes lead to overwhelming feelings, making it hard to maintain balance.
- Escapist
When faced with reality’s harshness, Pisces might retreat into their own world, avoiding problems rather than confronting them.
- Impressionable
Their open nature can make them susceptible to influence, swaying their opinions and actions. It’s important that when this has a negative impact, that they don’t become too guarded as a reaction to this, but learn to balance caution with blind trust.
- Indecisive
The vast sea of emotions can leave Pisces feeling uncertain, struggling to make decisions. It’s important for Pisceans to find good grounding to keep their emotional responses in check.
- Secretive
They tend to keep their deepest feelings and thoughts to themselves, creating a sense of mystery but also distance. This can lead to disillusionment or frustration from others over time and it’s important for Pisceans to try to confide in at least one close contact.
Compatibility with Other Signs
Pisces finds the most harmony in relationships with fellow water signs Cancer and Scorpio, as well as the grounded and reliable Taurus. The emotional depth and understanding of water signs create a supportive and nurturing bond, while Taurus provides the stability that Pisces craves.
Finding The Pisces Spirit Animal in Other Cultures
Celtic Culture: The Seal & Ash Tree – ‘The Enchanter’
In the Celtic Zodiac, individuals born from February 18th to March 17th fall under the sign of the ‘The Enchanter’. There are more than one spirit animals assigned to this sign, but the one that resonates the most to Pisces, is the Seal. In the Celtic system, signs relate to trees as well as animals, and the tree twin for this period is the Ash Tree.
The Seal is seen as a symbol of love, intuition, and deep emotion. It’s a fitting connection as people born under this sign are considered to be compassionate, empathetic, and have a strong connection to their inner world. The Ash Tree represents connection, transformation, and a bridge between the worlds, and these traits align with the Pisces’ nature of being deeply spiritual and intuitive.
Native American Medicine Wheel: The Wolf
Native American Astrology is deeply rooted in nature and the environment. It aligns similarly to the Western Zodiac phases throughout the year, but each phase in the cycle is represented by different spirit animal totems, that reflect the energy and spirit of that period.
This system is called the Medicine Wheel and it associates the Wolf with the period from February 19th to March 20th, which aligns with the Pisces dates. The Wolf is revered for its strong intuition, deep connections with others, and its ability to navigate with grit through the mysteries of life. People born under the Wolf spirit animals sign are believed to be compassionate, empathetic, and have a strong sense of intuition, mirroring the traits of Pisces.
Norse Tradition: The Salmon & The Laguz Rune
In Norse tradition, the rune ‘Laguz‘ and the Salmon are the closest twins to Pisces. Laguz represents water, intuition, and the flow of emotions, aligning with the Pisces’ nature of being deeply emotional and intuitive. The Salmon is admired for its solid determination and ability to swim upstream, reflecting the Pisces’ resilience and ability to navigate through life’s challenges. It is a spirit animal that resonates with core Piscean qualities and attributes.
Chinese Zodiac: The Rabbit
The Chinese Zodiac is similar to the Western model in that it operates on a 12 phase cycle. But in the Chinese system the phases occur not over 12 months, but over a 12-year cycle with each year associated with an animal sign.
It does not directly correspond to the Western Zodiac, but the Rabbit is considered to be the most similar in traits to Pisces. The Rabbit is known for its gentle, compassionate, and intuitive nature. People born in the Year of the Rabbit are believed to be artistic, gentle, and compassionate, sharing many traits with Pisces.
Mayan: The Rabbit
In Mayan culture, the Tzolk’in calendar consists of 260 days and includes 20 day signs and 13 Galactic Numbers, making a 260-day cycle. The Haab is a 365-day solar calendar which is made up of 18 months of 20 days each and one month of 5 ‘nameless’ days. It’s a complex system that intertwines with deep spiritual beliefs of Mayan history. Each day sign in this system is paired with a spirit animal or symbol and its here that parallels can be drawn with the western Zodiac.
The Mayan day sign Muluk, is the closest pair to Pisces in the Zodiac. Muluk is associated with the element of water and the moon, rather than a specific spirit animal. However, the moon in Mayan mythology is connected to the rabbit which makes the awesome little bunny a popular twin across different cultures.
The twinning between the rabbit in Muluk and Pisces is found in their shared traits of intuition, emotional depth, and adaptability. The rabbit, with its gentle nature, agility, and connection to the moon, reflects and amplifies the empathetic, compassionate, and mystical qualities of Pisces. It exhibits a harmonious blend of emotional intelligence, intuitive wisdom, and creative expression.
Other Animals That Embody The Spirit Of Pisces
- Dolphin
Intelligent and playful, dolphins embody Pisces’ fun side. They have a love for family and form deep emotional bonds with long lasting memory. With their love for connection and their playful nature they are tuned in to the Piscean traits of empathy and creativity.
- Butterfly
The butterfly is perhaps natures best mirror to the Piscean ability to adapt to change and find beauty in life. They represent the beauty that can be achieved through following through and embracing transformation, even if it’s tough. These are all traits that echo deep in those of the Pisces sign.
- Swan
The swan is an animal very much in touch with the Piscean love for beauty and gentleness. They may be fierce when it comes to matters of love and family, but even then they act with incredible grace and elegance. They announce their emotions very vividly. When they are in love, they show this with attractive movements shared with a bonded partner. When they are angry, they move in with great thrust, chest puffed and wings boldly puffed. Every act is done with care and beauty.
- Sea Turtle
Sea Turtles are known for their long journeys across the oceans, spending months and years in the deep before returning to shallow waters. In this way, these turtles represent the Piscean traits of adaptability and perseverance.
- Octopus
The Octopus is highly intelligent and adaptable and these traits reflect Pisces’ intuitive nature and their ability to navigate life’s complexities.
Why Connect with Spirit Animals?
Spirit animals offer profound insights into our personalities, habits, and life’s journey. The deeper we connect with them, the clearer they reflect traits we recognize within ourselves. This could range from the compassionate embrace of a deer to the intuitive grace of a swan.
These creatures of nature are more than mere reflections; in some cultures they are revered as spiritual guides, leading us to tap into our inherent wisdom and make choices that align with our true selves. This sacred bond between the natural world and our inner beings is the crux of the spirit animal connection.
While not every Zodiac sign is directly represented by an animal, the characteristics of each sign find their echoes across the vast animal kingdom.
The True Nature of a Spirit Animal
A spirit animal is not a chosen companion or a preferred ally. You can’t just say ‘I like pigeons’ and therefore the pigeon is your spirit animal. No, it’s a deeper, primal and profound connection, a kinship between humanity and nature. In astrological traditions like the Zodiac, this connection is spiritually intertwined with an individual’s essence. It is your birth right. In others your spirit animal reveals itself to you as you develop your character in life.
These spirit animals may reveal themselves in crucial moments of life, in times of crisis, during meditation, or even within our dreams. Embracing this concept enables individuals to seek guidance from their spirit animals and a welcome companion as we navigate the all too often challenging path of life.
Not a Pisces? Explore our other Zodiac Spirit Animal pages to discover your sign. Or if the Zodiac is not your thing, we’ve also gathered information on specific spirit animals, and how they are revered across many different cultures!