The dates printed beside each sign are a convention. The Sun crosses from Capricorn into Aquarius at one exact moment, and that moment moves: about six hours later each year, then back a day in leap years. So on January 20 the answer depends on the year, and in some years on the hour.
Sign by birth date
What zodiac sign is January 20?
January 20 sits on the line between Capricorn and Aquarius: the year and the hour of birth decide which. The usual table counts this day in Aquarius.
Between Capricorn and Aquarius: the year decides
The whole day is Capricorn in:
1940, 1944, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964
The Sun enters Aquarius during the day in (time in UTC):
1941 (10:29), 1942 (16:21), 1943 (22:13), 1945 (09:55), 1946 (15:45), 1947 (21:34), 1949 (09:10), 1950 (14:57), 1951 (20:45), 1953 (08:20), 1954 (14:08), 1955 (19:57), 1957 (07:37), 1958 (13:29), 1959 (19:20), 1961 (07:04), 1962 (12:55), 1963 (18:46), 1965 (06:26), 1966 (12:15), 1967 (18:03), 1968 (23:51), 1969 (05:38), 1970 (11:26), 1971 (17:13), 1972 (23:01), 1973 (04:50), 1974 (10:39), 1975 (16:29), 1976 (22:20), 1977 (04:11), 1978 (10:03), 1979 (15:55), 1980 (21:46), 1981 (03:38), 1982 (09:29), 1983 (15:19), 1984 (21:08), 1985 (02:56), 1986 (08:44), 1987 (14:32), 1988 (20:19), 1989 (02:07), 1990 (07:54), 1991 (13:42), 1992 (19:31), 1993 (01:21), 1994 (07:11), 1995 (13:02), 1996 (18:54), 1997 (00:46), 1998 (06:37), 1999 (12:29), 2000 (18:20), 2001 (00:11), 2002 (06:00), 2003 (11:49), 2004 (17:38), 2006 (05:13), 2007 (11:00), 2008 (16:48), 2010 (04:24), 2011 (10:13), 2012 (16:03), 2014 (03:45), 2015 (09:36), 2016 (15:28), 2018 (03:11), 2019 (09:02), 2020 (14:53), 2022 (02:31), 2023 (08:19), 2024 (14:06), 2026 (01:41), 2027 (07:29), 2028 (13:17), 2030 (00:55)
The whole day is Aquarius in:
2005, 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, 2025, 2029
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: Aquarius
Aquarius is fixed air under Saturn: the idea held firmly. Its natives think for themselves, befriend widely, and keep a certain distance even from those they love. They see how the group could be better arranged and are stubborn about it. Their gift is the clear view from outside; their warmth shows in what they do for others.
The first decan, and what it changes
The first decan is Saturn twice over. This is Aquarius at its most independent and most principled: these natives think for themselves, keep their word, and hold to an idea when it is unpopular.
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 third decan, and what it changes
The third decan is Mercury's, through Virgo. Ambition is joined by a precise and practical mind: these natives plan carefully, speak sparingly and well, and succeed by method.
In short
What zodiac sign is January 20?
Capricorn or Aquarius, depending on the year and hour of birth: the Sun changes sign on or next to this day. The table above gives the answer year by year.
Which decan is January 20?
The first decan of Aquarius, governed by Saturn.
What are the element and ruling planet of Aquarius?
Aquarius is a Fixed Air sign ruled by Saturn.
From here
The days around it
Every day of January
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