Aquarius is the eleventh astrological sign in the zodiac, originating from the constellation Aquarius. Each zodiac sign has associated animal symbolism and meaning, so the animal for Aquarius offers insight into the attributes and characteristics of this air sign.
The Water Bearer
Aquarius is represented by the water bearer, a humanoid figure pouring water from a jug. This symbolizes the flowing, changeable nature of Aquarians. The water bearer epitomizes Aquarius’ future-oriented perspective, inclination to think outside the box, and desire to make the world a better place through humanitarian efforts. Just as the water bearer generously pours forth water, Aquarians have a generous spirit and share their knowledge, unique ideas, and innovative solutions with others for the greater good.
Connection to Air and Water
In astrology, Aquarius is considered an air sign, along with Gemini and Libra. Air signs are characterized as intellectual, communicative, and analytical. However, the symbolism of the water bearer also connects Aquarius to the element of water. This duality of air and water perfectly captures the paradoxical nature of Aquarians. They have strong intellectual capacities as an air sign, yet also a deep emotional sensitivity represented by water.
The dynamic between air and water also signifies Aquarians’ desire for continual growth through merging intuition and intellect. The pouring water depicts their tendency to go with the flow rather than rigidly adhere to tradition. Aquarians are progressive thinkers who conceive novel ways to make a positive impact on humanity.
The Electrical Current of Uranus
Aquarius is ruled by the planet Uranus, named after the Greek sky deity. Uranus represents rebellion, eccentricity, intuition, idealism, and sudden change. Similarly, Aquarians are known for their revolutionary thinking, quirkiness, heightened intuition, pursuit of utopian ideals, and catalyzing rapid societal change.
Uranus also has an erratic orbit and rotational pattern, much like the unpredictable nature of Aquarians. They are constantly generating ideas, devising plans, and reinventing themselves. The erratic electrical currents of Uranus give Aquarians quick wit, bursts of genius, and spur them to challenge the status quo.
Duality of Water Bearer and Lightning Bolt
Some astrological interpretations depict Aquarius with a lightning bolt rather than a water jug. The lightning bolt conveys the electric, unpredictable qualities of Uranus. It represents Aquarians’ flashes of insight and innovation. The contrast between the water bearer and lightning bolt epitomizes how Aquarians fluidly combine humanitarian ideals with radical change.
Just as electricity powers innovation, Aquarians are driven to turn their visionary ideas into practical solutions for the betterment of humanity. The lightning embodies their goal to enlighten society in sudden, dramatic ways by spreading knowledge like jolts of electricity.
The Angel and the Star
In esoteric astrology, the symbol of Aquarius is sometimes portrayed as an angelic figure pouring holy water from a phial upon a star. The star represents humanity, while the angel conveys the divine guidance of Aquarians in leading society to spiritual enlightenment.
This depiction highlights Aquarians’ selfless service to others and desire to create a utopian future. However, the angel possessively clutches the phial, symbolizing Aquarians’ strong-willed independence. Although they wish to help humanity, they refuse to sacrifice their freedom or integrity in the process.
The Alchemical Eagle
In alchemical texts, Aquarius corresponds to an eagle or sometimes a mystical human-headed bird. The eagle epitomizes the lofty vision, enlightenment, and sharp intellect of Aquarians. As the highest flying bird, it symbolizes how Aquarians transcend mundane thinking and soar to elevated realms of contemplation.
In alchemy, the eagle represents the final stage of the alchemical magnum opus, or Great Work, in which the alchemist achieves enlightenment. This parallels Aquarians’ goal of attaining higher wisdom to aid human spiritual evolution. Due to their innovative thinking, Aquarians are able to rise above conventional perspectives to uncover transcendent truths.
The Platonic World Soul
Philosophically, Aquarius is associated with the World Soul described by Plato. This cosmic animating force guides matter to manifest in an ideal way. The World Soul infuses the universe with divine order, purpose, and a drive toward spiritual enlightenment.
Like the World Soul, Aquarians possess an idealistic desire to improve the world by directing humanity’s evolution. Their intellectual gifts, intuitive insight, and innovative thinking equip them to recognize ways society can transcend its current limitations. Aquarians seek to realize a higher potential future for humankind.
Prometheus the Titan Rebel
In Greek mythology, the Titan deity Prometheus defied the tyrannical Zeus by stealing fire from the gods on Mount Olympus to give it to mankind. This enabled human civilization to advance through the use of fire.
Prometheus’ rebellious and humanitarian deeds align with the Uranian qualities of Aquarius. His theft of divine fire to enlighten humanity parallels Aquarians’ longing to uplift society through transcendent knowledge and technology. Aquarians courageously confront oppressive paradigms to empower others with enlightening knowledge.
Ganymede the Cupbearer
Another mythic figure associated with Aquarius is Ganymede, a beautiful Phrygian youth who became cupbearer to the gods on Mount Olympus. Zeus became enamored with Ganymede’s beauty and turned into an eagle to abduct him and make him the divine cupbearer.
As cupbearer, Ganymede served wine to the Olympian gods which endowed them with divine powers. This role has symbolic parallels to the water bearer, who pours the water of knowledge to empower humanity. Ganymede’s abduction by an eagle also relates to the alchemical eagle symbolism of Aquarius visionary intellect.
The Greco-Egyptian Genius
In Greco-Egyptian magical texts, Aquarius was sometimes personified as a genius or daemon holding two urns from which streams of water poured in opposite directions. This imagery conveys the paradoxical nature of Aquarians in straddling the realms of intellect and emotions, order and chaos, tradition and novelty.
The genius genius epitomizes the Aquarians’ brilliance in developing futuristic visions and actualizing them in the real world to benefit society. Their intellectual genius helps channel chaotic potentials into ordered constructs that move humanity in a positive direction.
The Egyptian Water Deity Hapi
Hapi was the ancient Egyptian god who personified the life-giving flooding of the Nile that fertilized the land. He was depicted as an androgynous figure bearing offerings of food and water. This mirrors the water bearer’s nourishment of humanity with the waters of wisdom.
Hapi was considered the father of the gods, owing to the Nile’scritical role in Egyptian civilization. Similarly, Aquarians nourish the mind and spirit of humanity through their enlightening ideas. Just as the Nile’s annual flood renewed Egyptian society, Aquarians spur renewal through their idealistic visions and reformist thinking.
The Divine Madman Drukpa Kunley
Tibetan Buddhism includes tales of the eccentric saint Drukpa Kunley who used crazy wisdom and obscene humor to enlighten others. He symbolizes how Aquarians overturn social norms in their desire to awaken society from limited thinking. Aquarians are willing to be seen as heretical fools if it can shock people into transcending repressive attitudes.
Like Kunley, Aquarians challenge established conventions in provocative or absurd ways. Their cosmic humor and disregard for rigid social codes reflects their desire to liberate humanity from artificial constraints. Their tricks and wit convey higher teachings in ways that alter perceptions and spur revolutions in consciousness.
The Chinese Monkey King
In Chinese mythology, the Monkey King symbolizes unconventionality and mental agility. He defies the laws of heaven with cunning tricks to gain new abilities and knowledge. This relates to how Aquarians creatively bend rules and think outside the box to uncovered advanced solutions.
The Monkey King’s mischief and appeal to enlighten others links to Aquarians’ desire to shake up the status quo and reveal transformative insights. His magical powers based on Taoist practices relate to Aquarians’ interest in spiritual wisdom, alchemy and psychic development to uplift humanity.
The Arthurian Magician Merlin
The legendary figure Merlin features in Arthurian lore as a powerful magician who aids the heroic King Arthur through wisdom and magic. Merlin provides counsel, prophecies, mystical knowledge, and magical artifacts to assist Arthur’s reign.
As an unconventional wizard guiding humanity’s evolution, Merlin symbolizes Aquarians’ visionary scope, intellectual brilliance, and mystical intuitions aimed at social betterment. Aquarians act as sages and advisors who support humanity’s heroic journey using their magical gifts to create positive change.
The Near Eastern Genie in the Lamp
Ancient Middle Eastern folklore featured wish-granting genies (jinn) who would assist people when released from lamps or vessels. Although sometimes tricksters, their powers could also help people creatively solve problems.
The genie in the lamp symbolizes how Aquarians generate brilliant solutions and envision future advancements that fulfill humanity’s desires. Their Uranian intuition and intelligence supplies them with the visionary power to unleash cultural transformations that serve humankind’s needs.
The Visionary Poet and Artist
Aquarius is associated with revolutionary creative visionaries who use art, poetry, music or literature to positively transform culture. Their works enlighten society and reveal mystical philosophies through symbolic language.
Like ingenious artists inspired by the muses, Aquarians transmit their creative visions in order to uplift humanity. They pioneer new styles, genres, and movements that change society’s perceptions. Their creative gifts act as an imaginative fountain pouring upon humanity to spur breakthroughs.
Conclusion
The rich symbolic legacy of Aquarius gives insights into the visionary, idealistic, ingenious, and humanitarian qualities of this air sign. Just as the water bearer generously pours forth knowledge, Aquarians selflessly aim to raise the consciousness of society. Their deep intuitions, genius intellect, and touched-by-Uranus creativity empower them to bring enlightening revelations to humanity through breakthrough innovations, transcendent visions, and paradigm-shifting actions aimed at actualizing a brighter future.
Key Aquarian Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Water Bearer | Generous pouring forth of wisdom, future-oriented perspective |
| Lightning Bolt | Unpredictability, flashes of insight and genius |
| Angel | Divine guidance of humanity, utopian ideals |
| Eagle | Visionary intellect, enlightenment, transcendence |
| Prometheus | Rebellion against tyranny, giving enlightening knowledge to humanity |
| Ganymede | Dispensing divine libations, intellectual inspiration |
| Genius | Brilliance, futuristic insights, merging intellect and emotions |
| Hapi | Nourishing and renewing society with vital wisdom |
| Drukpa Kunley | Crazy wisdom, challenging social conventions |
| Monkey King | Unconventionality, mental agility, thinking outside the box |
| Merlin | Visionary sage guiding humanity’s heroic journey |
| Genie | Manifesting visions to fulfill humanity’s desires |
| Poet/Artist | Channeling creative revelations to uplift consciousness |
