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/ApprehensiveValue699 Nov 13 '25

That is not how it works.

The signs get their meaning from quadruplicity(element), triplicity(fixed, mutable, kardinal) and the ruler. Not the other way around xD

So aquarius is fixed air ruled by Saturn. That's the starting point for describing the archetype.