The zodiac man
Zodiac signs and body parts
Which part of the body each zodiac sign rules in traditional astrology, from Aries at the head to Pisces at the feet, and the history of the medieval “zodiac man”.
| Sign | Body area ruled |
|---|---|
| Aries | Head and face |
| Taurus | Neck and throat |
| Gemini | Shoulders, arms, hands and lungs |
| Cancer | Chest, breasts and stomach |
| Leo | Heart, spine and upper back |
| Virgo | Digestive system and intestines |
| Libra | Kidneys and lower back |
| Scorpio | Reproductive organs |
| Sagittarius | Hips and thighs |
| Capricorn | Knees, bones and skin |
| Aquarius | Ankles, calves and circulation |
| Pisces | Feet |
Zodiac signs and the body parts they rule, head to toe
The order runs down the body in the same sequence as the zodiac: Aries rules the head, Taurus the neck, and so on down to Pisces and the feet. This scheme is called melothesia. It appears in the Roman poet Manilius’s Astronomica (1st century CE) and in Ptolemy’s works, and became standard in medieval Europe.
The medieval “zodiac man”
Medieval physicians consulted illustrations of a human figure surrounded by the twelve signs, known as the zodiac man or homo signorum. They avoided bloodletting or surgery on a body part while the Moon was in its sign. A famous example is the “Anatomical Man” in the Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry (about 1412–1416).
Where are the signs in the body today?
Almanacs still print the “Man of Signs” and note which sign the Moon is in each day, a practice used by some gardeners and in folk tradition. Today’s Moon sign is on our horoscope today page; look it up in the table above to find the body area traditionally linked with the day.
Frequently asked questions
Which zodiac sign rules the heart?
Leo rules the heart, spine and upper back.
Which zodiac sign rules the feet?
Pisces, the last sign, rules the feet.
Sources
Updated · How we write and check this guide