Sign by birth date

What zodiac sign is December 21?

December 21 sits on the line between Sagittarius and Capricorn: the year and the hour of birth decide which. The usual table counts this day in Sagittarius.

Sun signSagittarius / Capricorn

The sign runsNovember 22 – December 21

ElementFire

ModalityMutable

Ruling planetJupiter

Decanthird, under the Sun

Day in the sign30 of 30

Persian calendar30 Azar, in most years

Between Sagittarius and Capricorn: the year decides

The dates printed beside each sign are a convention. The Sun crosses from Sagittarius into Capricorn at one exact moment, and that moment moves: about six hours later each year, then back a day in leap years. So on December 21 the answer depends on the year, and in some years on the hour.

The whole day is Sagittarius in:

1941, 1942, 1943, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023, 2027

The Sun enters Capricorn during the day in (time in UTC):

1940 (23:51), 1944 (23:16), 1948 (22:32), 1952 (21:41), 1956 (20:59), 1960 (20:25), 1964 (19:48), 1968 (19:00), 1972 (18:11), 1976 (17:32), 1977 (23:24), 1980 (16:59), 1981 (22:49), 1984 (16:17), 1985 (22:05), 1988 (15:28), 1989 (21:15), 1992 (14:42), 1993 (20:32), 1996 (14:06), 1997 (19:58), 2000 (13:31), 2001 (19:21), 2004 (12:46), 2005 (18:33), 2008 (11:56), 2009 (17:44), 2010 (23:33), 2012 (11:14), 2013 (17:05), 2014 (22:56), 2016 (10:40), 2017 (16:31), 2018 (22:22), 2020 (10:02), 2021 (15:51), 2022 (21:39), 2024 (09:14), 2025 (15:01), 2026 (20:49), 2028 (08:25), 2029 (14:15), 2030 (20:05)

Times are in UTC and exact to about a quarter of an hour; set them against the place and hour of birth. A birth that close to the line is settled by the birth chart, which is computed to the minute. Calculate the birth chart, free

The sign: Sagittarius

Sagittarius is mutable fire under Jupiter, the archer whose arrow is aimed far. Its natives need distance: roads, ideas, a horizon. They speak the truth as they see it, sometimes too straight, and carry good fortune the way others carry luggage. Faith comes naturally to them, and so does restlessness when the road closes.

The third decan, and what it changes

The third decan is the Sun's, through Leo. The Sagittarian fire gains pride and a sense of occasion: these natives are warm, loyal, fond of an audience, and natural teachers.

The sign: Capricorn

Capricorn begins at the winter solstice, cardinal earth ruled by Saturn. Its natives climb: slowly, without complaint, with an eye on what will still stand in twenty years. They take duty seriously and themselves soberly, and they improve with age. Behind the reserve there is a dry humour and a loyalty that is shown by deeds.

The first decan, and what it changes

The first decan is Saturn twice over: Capricorn at its most serious. Discipline, patience and a sense of duty are strongest here. These natives start early, climb steadily and waste nothing.

In short