Just after the last of the Valentine’s Day chocolates have been consumed and the season of Aquarius comes to an end, it’s time for the season of Pisces. Those born between around February 19–March 20 are fortunate enough to call themselves Pisces, which is the 12th and final sign of the zodiac.
In 2024, the 40 days of Lent start on February 14, well within Pisces season. The connection between the two involves more than just dates: one of the most recognizable symbols of the zodiac, Pisces is represented by fish. Pisces is a Latin word that is the plural of the word for fish, piscis, and during Lent, Catholics rely on fish as a meal. Because they must refrain from eating meat or poultry on Ash Wednesday and on Fridays, they eat fish instead.
While perhaps not the most flattering animal to be compared to in many cases—being called a cold fish or being told you “drink like a fish” isn’t the best—don’t worry, Pisces is a really cool sign under which to be born. Those fish are shown as swimming in circles and represent the continuation of life after death or reincarnation. Because of its connection with fish, Pisces is symbolized by an image representing two fish swimming in opposite directions, which can be seen on the Pisces emoji ♓ as well.
Pisces is, fittingly, a water sign, along with Cancer and Scorpio, and they’re all known for being emotionally fluid, vacillating between feelings, and being very in tune with their feelings and those of others.
Pisces are typically loyal, intuitive, and creative, and people love them. Just look at some of these famous Pisces and you can see the pattern, starting with George Washington himself. Other famous Pisces include Albert Einstein, Rihanna, Steve Jobs, Bad Bunny, Carrie Underwood, John Lewis, and Drew Barrymore.
Let’s take a deeper dive and explore more about what it means to be born a Pisces.
Where did the word Pisces come from?
In Greek mythology, the two fish in the symbol for Pisces are thought to represent Aphrodite and Eros who were turned into fish by Zeus so they could jump in a river and escape Typhon.
Pisces is also a scientific term used to describe “the class of vertebrates comprising the fish and sometimes including, in certain classifications, the cyclostomes.” So, if you want to sound smart the next time you’re at an aquarium, you can remark how much you enjoy watching all the Pisces … or not.
Chart your linguistic stars by taking a closer look at the meaning and usage of the term Pisces.
Positive Pisces characteristics
The personality characteristics of a Pisces are quite distinct, and you may identify one before you even have to ask. Some of these characteristics are amazing and make them wonderful friends and romantic partners, while others make them a bit more challenging to be around. Let’s start with the positive.
- Creative: Pisces are highly creative and thrive in activities that let them use their imagination. When it comes to careers, Pisces often seek out those who feed their artistic soul and may work as artists, writers, and performers. Among their famous ranks are Jack Kerouac and Michelangelo.
- Compassionate: Pisces are also deep feelers and are full of compassion and empathy for their fellow human beings. Beyond creative careers, they also often gravitate toward helping careers and make great psychologists, nurses, and social workers.
- Intuitive: So in tune are Pisces with their emotions and those of others, they’re often thought to be clairvoyant. Whether they can predict the future or not, they’re sought out by their loved ones as a great source for advice and guidance.
- Adventurous: An everyday, ho-hum life isn’t the life for a Pisces. Those born under this sign typically seek constant stimulation and want to explore new and exciting people, places, and experiences. They are courageous, bold, and want to soak up every ounce of fun and pleasure life offers.
- Romantic: Creative + compassionate + adventurous makes Pisces people excellent, exciting romantic partners. They love deeply, are a bit mysterious, and they’re sure to keep things interesting when it comes to intimacy.
WATCH: What Does It Mean To Be Clairvoyant?
Pisces’ less-than-perfect traits
We all have traits that aren’t so great. Pisces: these may describe you …
- Needy: Because Pisces feel so deeply, they often want to feel that same passion back from others and may need constant reassurance and affirmation.
- Intense: There’s a line between being passionate and overly intense, and sometimes Pisces cross it. They can be so focused on one thing that they have tunnel vision and become fanatical about it at the expense of other important parts of their life.
- Scatterbrained: As smart as Pisces may be, they often come off as scatterbrained or irresponsible. Pisces often keep people waiting, as their dreamy nature doesn’t always make punctuality a priority, and they may also forget to do things they promised to do. Just know that it’s not because they don’t care, they probably just got lost in their thoughts.
- Unmotivated: That dreamy nature can also drag down a Pisces’ productivity level. Unless something really sparks their passion or imagination, they can be lazy and lackadaisical about getting things done.
- Anxious: All that imagination and deep thought can get a Pisces all worked up and worried, too. They’re so invested in their environment and those they love that it can affect their mental health, and some may be prone to addiction and mental health challenges. Kurt Cobain and Chester Bennington were both Pisces.
Obviously, not all Pisces fit into one box, but we’re guessing if you’re a Pisces or know one, that you’ve been nodding along as you read. Because no matter how dubious you may be about the merits of astrology, it’s usually quite remarkable just how well a person’s sign aligns with their personality.
Do these words describe the Pisces you know? For more word fun, review our Pisces word list, which can be used to create spelling quizzes and flashcards. Or take our quick Pisces quiz for some thrills.
