Scorpio Facts
The constellation Scorpius has been around for centuries, discovered by the Ancient Greek astronomer, Ptolemy, along with 11 other zodiac signs. “Antares” or the “rival of Mars” is the brightest star of the Scorpio constellation. The mythological origins of Scorpio are unfortunate since the thunderer, Zeus, placed the celestial scorpion among the stars. There are more Scorpio facts to come!
A Scorpio is known for being alluring, intimidating, and loyal. This mish-mash combination of traits perfectly describes the Scorpion. Not only that, but they’re also the most misunderstood and “most hated” out of all the zodiac signs. Even then, a Scorpio makes a great friend and amazing lover. Their magnetic charisma makes them suitable leaders, too, especially since 11% of the world leaders are born under the Scorpio sign. Another one of the many Scorpio facts: the 46th US President, Joe Biden, and the first-in-line to the British throne, Prince Charles of Wales, are both under this sign. Here are 50 scorching Scorpio facts to understand the most mysterious zodiac sign more!
- The Scorpio season is from October 23 to November 22.
- Its constellation spans 210° to 240° ecliptic longitude.
- It covers an area of 497 square degrees.
- The constellation has 18 main stars.
- The star Sco is a stable 2.3 magnitude star.
- Scorpius is the sign’s constellation.
- Its abbreviation is Sco.
- Scorpio lies between the Sagittarius and Libra constellations.
- “Skate stars” and “shark stars” are the sign’s two asterisms.
- The Greek goddess Artemis sent the celestial scorpion to Orion.
- The zodiac’s symbol is a Scorpion.
- Scorpio is a fixed water sign, along with Cancer and Pisces.
- Mars and Pluto are the ruling planets.
- Scorpio’s main birthstone is Topaz.
- Geranium is their official birth flower.
- Its bright star Antares means “rival of Mars.”
- In Babylonian, it’s called MUL.GIR.TAB meaning “the creature with a burning sting.”
- It is located near the Milky Way’s center.
- Scorpio is the second most common zodiac sign of US Presidents.
- Tech magnate Bill Gates is also a Scorpion.
The discovery of the Scorpius constellation was during the 2nd century CE.
Ancient Greek astronomer Ptolemy listed 48 constellations in his 2nd century CE book Almagest. One of the 12 zodiac signs he identified was Scorpius, located in the Southern celestial hemisphere. The constellation also lies between Libra and Sagittarius.
Antares is “the heart of the scorpion.”
It is Scorpius’ brightest star and the 15th in the night sky. Antares, meaning “rival of Ares,” is near the center of the constellation. The star is classified as a red supergiant, which is why it appears reddish in the naked eye. You can see Antares every May 31st.
Most of its stars belong to the Scorpius-Centaurus Association.
The constellation belongs to the nearest OB association to the Sun, the Scorpius-Centaurus Association. Upper Scorpius, Upper Centaurus-Lupus, and Lower Centaurus-Crux are its three subgroups. Many bright stars like the Antares and most of the Southern Cross belong to the stellar association.
The constellation contains four Messier objects.
French astronomer Charles Messier listed in Catalogue des Nébuleuses et des Amas d’Étoiles (Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters) the 110 astronomical objects. The non-comet objects Messier 6 (the Butterfly Cluster), Messier 7 (the Ptolemy Cluster), Messier 4, and Messier 80 are in the Scorpius constellation.
There are two meteor showers associated with Scorpius.
Meteor showers are a magical sight, but even these shooting stars belong somewhere. The constellation Scorpius has two meteor showers in its midst. First is the Alpha Scorpiids that peak every May 15th and Omega Scorpiids that occurs every May 31st.
It also houses several exoplanets!
It’s a little hard to believe but there are planets that exist outside of the solar system. There are several exoplanets within the Scorpius constellation, including PSR B1620-26 b (sometimes called “Methuselah”), Gliese 667Cc (nicknamed “super-Earth”), and possibly the habitable exoplanets, Gliese 667Ce and Gliese 667Cf.
Scorpio belongs to the Eighth House.
The Eighth House is one of the entryways towards the spiritual world. Scorpio rules this House, along with the planet. Astrologers say the Eighth House is one of the best instructors when it comes to teaching about life and its meaning. The House also rules financial and sexual matters, including inheritances, the occult, magic, and death.
The Libra constellation used to be a part of Scorpius.
The Ancient Greeks used to call the Scales “the scorpion’s claw” and it used to be a part of the Scorpius constellation. Even the Arabic language claimed these stars as the “northern claw” and “southern claw.” Libra wasn’t a separate constellation until the Romans officialized it.
The Hawaiians call the constellation Mānaiakalani .
Another one of the popular Scorpio facts. The demigod Maui wasn’t just present in Disney’s Moana. In fact, he’s a popular figure in Polynesian mythology. This became a constellation called Mānaiakalani (The Chief’s Fishline). It is believed to be the fishhook Maui used to catch a large fish from the ocean.
The celestial scorpion was sent to kill Orion.
Of course, not all constellations have a happy ending. The giant huntsman Orion boasted to the virgin goddess Artemis and her mother Leto that he could kill every animal on Earth. She still vowed to protect all creatures, even though she’s a hunter herself.
The giant died after the mother-daughter duo sent the celestial scorpion, Scorpius, to sting his heel. Zeus enjoyed the battle so much that he honored them by giving them a place in the stars, Scorpius and Orion’s Belt, respectively.
Other animals associated with the sign are the snake, the eagle, and the phoenix.
Obviously, a scorpion is an animal most associated with Scorpio. There are three other animals associated with the sign, each representing an aspect of their personality. Like how the snake symbolizes rebirth or renewal, the eagle representing redemption and spirituality, and the phoenix has emotional intensity.
Their colors are red, yellow, black, and white.
Scorpio facts alert: Yes, they have lucky colors too. The sign’s colors are red for passion, yellow for balance, black for mystery, and white for joy. But there are colors they should avoid too, like pink because it tampers the sign’s energy.
There are 13 other gemstones under the sign.
Scorpio’s main birthstone is the clear-bluish topaz, representing the need for improvement. There are 13 gemstones under the Scorpio sign. Some of these stones are aquamarine that stimulates confidence, citrine that offers positive energy, sodalite that teaches better perspective, rhodochrosite for new beginnings, and smoky quartz for protection.
Chrysanthemum and marigold are also Scorpio’s birth flowers.
Aside from the official birth flower geranium, two brightly-colored flowers are also under the Scorpio sign. The yellow-and-orange marigold represents the sign’s warm and positive energy, while the almost-golden chrysanthemum is about love and loyalty. Other Scorpio birth flowers are the purple Amaranth signifying eternal devotion, and the pinkish peony to symbolize bravery.
Tarot card Death represents the Scorpio sign.
It’s not hard to see why Death is the sign’s tarot card. Scorpio is ruled by Pluto, a planet named after the Ancient Roman equivalent of the Greek god of death Hades. The tarot card depicts a skeleton riding a white horse, trampling over a dead king. This major arcana card symbolizes Scorpio’s need to look beyond death, and instead focus on rising above pain.
The Ivy and Reed trees are Scorpio’s Celtic tree sign.
While Western astrology relies on animals and Greek mythology, the Druids used sacred trees. It’s believed that people born at a certain time of the year had the same qualities as a tree. The trees encompassing Scorpio are Ivy (September 30th to October 27th) and Reed (October 28th to November 24th).
People born under the Ivy sign are loyal, compassionate, and intellectual, while those under the Reed dig deep to find the real meaning of things and discover the truth.
The sign is called Vrishchika Rashi in Hindu astrology.
A month in the Indian solar calendar corresponds with the Scorpio sign called Vrishchika Rashi. This month is between the end of autumn and the beginning of winter. People born under Vrishchika Rashi are said to be creative, clever, and charming. They can also be sensitive, emotional, and loyal.
Taurus is Scorpio’s opposing sign.
Opposites attract, right? Not really, especially in the case of the Bull and the Scorpion. Though they are both loyal, trustworthy, and the most sexual of the signs, their traits will still clash.
Taurus is consistently stubborn, a trait that will disagree with Scorpio’s domineering ways. They make good friends and partners, as long as the Scorpion is focused and the Bull remains patient.
The Scorpion and the Crab are highly compatible signs.
This is not a surprise because Scorpio and Cancer make an effortless and romantic pairing. The determined Scorpion and the protective Crab make an amazing and successful pair. They are both water signs, meaning their union will be harmonious.
Scorpius even appeared in two science-fiction franchises.
Constellations are meant to be seen, especially in the night sky. But to be included as an easter egg in a science-fiction franchise is another thing. The constellation appeared in the opening credits of Star Trek: Enterprise and in “a glyph at position 12” on Stargate.
Scorpio is the most common sign among US Presidents.
They are independent, consistent, and ambitious. It’s no wonder 11% of world leaders fall under the Scorpio sign. In fact, Scorpions make six out of the 46 US Presidents alone! They include the 2nd President John Adams, 11th President James K. Polk. 20th President James A. Garfield, 26th President Warren G. Harding, and the current US President Joe Biden.
Former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and former US Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton are both born under this sun sign.
The fourth richest man in the world is a Scorpio!
He used to be the richest man in the world, not until Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos took over in 2020. Fourth on The World Billionaire ranking list is Bill Gates, born on October 28, 1965, in Seattle, Washington. He founded Microsoft in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen.
The late Grace Kelly was a Scorpio too!
She was a passionate person and an independent woman. Former American actress and late Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, was born on November 12, 1929. Grace Kelly was an attractive Scorpio woman with a strong mind and determination, and also great love for family.
Scorpions are extremely talented.
They don’t only dominate the political world, but even the entertainment and art industry. Actors Leonardo DiCaprio (November 11), Anne Hathaway (November 12), and Whoopi Goldberg (November 13) were all born in the Scorpio season. Added to the list of world-renowned Scorpions are the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso (October 25) and the first female Nobel Prize winner, Marie Curie!
They are quite mysterious.
Scorpio’s greatest charm is their charisma. But despite being popular, they hardly reveal anything. Scorpions are deep intellectuals and intense lovers, it adds to their mysterious personalities. They are often described to be sensitive and secretive.
Scorpio is the most stubborn water sign.
No other sign can rival a Taurus when it comes to being stubborn, except perhaps a Scorpio. They are both fixed signs, which is probably why they share this trait. Scorpions can be seen as controlling, but it’s because they can see what others don’t.
They can be very intimidating.
Scorpios are charismatic and undeniably intimidating at the same time. Their sign is ruled by planets Mars and Pluto, both powerful Roman gods, which is why their actions are based on their strong convictions. Therefore it is not surprising why most of them turn to politics or entertainment. Their presence alone can command attention in an instant.
Scorpio is just as passionate as they are persistent.
It’s not surprising that people born under this sign are passionate and persistent. The planet Mars gives them the potential to work very well together. These Scorpions see resistance as another hurdle to overcome. They have the drive to change something in their lives through sheer willpower.
They are honest and loyal partners.
Scorpions make the best friends and lifelong partners. They are extremely honest and can detect a lie within minutes, but it’s a double-edged sword because they can lie just as good too. Scorpios take commitment seriously, are devoted, and are obsessively loyal.
A Scorpion falls in love fast and easy to fall in love with.
It’s not hard to fall in love with Scorpios because they are sincere, loyal, and protective. Aside from that, they are lauded for being great in bed. A Scorpion is extremely loyal to their partner, and they remember the good and bad sensations accompanying the romance.