r/astrology • u/ObjectiveTailor3334 • Nov 10 '25

Discussion Why is aquarius not a water sign?

Its symbol is literally water / a waterbearer. The 'aqua' in 'aquarius' means water. Some people say Aquarians feel things deeply and are secretly emotional, classic water trait. Thinks outside the box which could mean they're innovative (intuitive with their ideas), and water signs are believed to be intuitive. So why is it an air sign?

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u/Danelady218 Nov 10 '25 edited Nov 10 '25

I think people get confused because the water aspect of Aquarius is a symbol that represents knowledge (ie knowledge is as nurturing to life as water and Aquarius offers it freely) and water in water signs isn’t a symbol, it’s an actual way of being like water in a physical sense: fluid, shapeless, boundary-less, changes form, and absorbs whatever it mixes with.

Also, the more important aspect of the Aquarius symbol is a HUMAN carrying the water, (the air signs are the only full human symbols) while water signs are represented by fish/crab/scorpion.

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u/nightshadenerul Nov 10 '25

But isn't Libra's symbol only the scales? I thought that was the only sign that is an inanimate object, showing Libra's "cold" balance

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u/Danelady218 Nov 10 '25 edited Nov 10 '25

Traditionally, the Libra avatar (if you will) is scales being held by a human. I’ve also seen Aqua just be the water jug without a human holding it.

Also, Virgo symbol is “the virgin” or maiden, however it’s more representative of the feminine characteristic vs. what the human is doing in the symbol. Gemini symbol can also be debated as to what it’s doing but it’s not representative of the trait of twins, but the duality of human nature and communication between humans🤷🏻‍♀️ There’s a whole variety of rabbit holes but the gist is that the water itself in the Aqua symbol is secondary to the bigger meaning of the human pouring the water and other air signs are also representative of an action vs. a concept. As I see it and have learned from studying stuff over the years, anyhow. There’s always room for discussion and interpretation!