Virgo is the sixth astrological sign in the Zodiac, originating from the constellation of Virgo. It is considered to be feminine, introverted, earth sign, ruled by the planet Mercury. Individuals born between August 23rd and September 22nd are said to be born under the sign on Virgo. Virgo individuals are said to be critical, precise, orderly, practical, reliable and clean.
In Greek mythology, Astraea is the virgin daughter of Zeus and the goddess of justice, Themis. As justice personified, she ruled the world with her wise ways until humans became so callous that she fled the earth for the skies. She took the Scales of Balance with her and became the Virgo constellation while the Scales became the nearby constellation Libra. Virgo is also associated with Persephone, goddess of innocence and purity. Persephone was kidnapped by Hades, the God of the Underworld. Her mother is Demeter, goddess of the agriculture and she was so saddened by the loss of her daughter that she made the earth barren. Facing the destruction of all crops, the Gods made Hades return Persephone. But she had already eaten a pomegranate fruit given to her by Hades. This forced her to return to underworld for half of each year. Demeter still makes the ground barren each time her daughter is forced to leave and thus the ancient Greeks explained the seasons.
The astrological sign for Virgo is a distorted letter "M". It is said to represent the arms and torso of the virgin holding a sheaf of wheat. Virgo tattoos often incorporate this symbol as well as a young girl to represent the virgin. The tattoos may also have famous virgins in it, like Astraea, Persephone or the Virgin Mary.
