Sagittarius Origins

Sagittarius is represented by a Centaur-^half-man, half-horse-with a bow and arrow. It's believed that when ancient artists sketched warriors on horseback, they got to taking a short-cut, thereby merging the two into one body. This became a popular symbol, and they chose it to represent Sagittarius because this sign is thought to have tamed the baser instincts and taught wisdom-as well as outdoor sports.

The centaur's other significance is that in the zodiacal family it points its arrow at Capricorn's dying goat, symbolizing either a deep sense of religion (for having sacrificed the goat) or a complete denial of religion (for killing its symbol)- to a logical Sagittarian, religion cannot be accepted on faith alone. Yes, this is a contradiction, but thaf s normal for this sign. Sagittarians prefer one extreme or the other.

Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter, which provides the sign with its most salient quality: largeness. If you're a Sagittarian, you're probably well-built, with a big heart, a big head, and big ideas. Your favorite day is Thursday (jeudi, for Jupiter, in French), and you're quite, well, jovial (Jupiter, the god, was also known as Jove in the Roman era- hence the expression "by Jove").